Environment Agency

Take notice that the Royal Society for Protection of Birds of Frederick House, 42 Frederick Place, Brighton BN1 4EA, is applying to the Environment Agency for licences to obstruct or impede the flow of marsh ditches at Shorne Marshes RSPB reserve, near Gravesend, Kent, by means of earth dams and/or timber stop structures at TQ 6816 7402, TQ 6815 7403, TQ 6857 7384, TQ 6875 7382, TQ 6892 7393, TQ 6933 7401, TQ 6948 7412, TQ 6948 7435, TQ 6947 7458 and to abstract water at the following rates: 90 cubic metres/hour; 2,160 cubic metres/day, to a maximum of 70,000 cubic metres/year between 1st November and 31st May. The water abstracted will be used for raising levels in ditches and low lying fields for stock control and nature conservation. Two new diversionary ditches will be excavated to maintain high water levels on the reserve, while not impeding drainage of neighbouring land. A copy of the application and any map plans and other documents submitted with it may be inspected, free of charge, at all reasonable hours at Bromhey Farm, Eastborough, Cooling, Kent ME3 8DS, between 4th September 2000 and 4th October 2000. Any person who wishes to make representations about the application, should do so in writing to the Environment Agency, Orchard House, Endeavour Park, London Road, Addington, West Malling, Kent ME19 5SH, before the end of the said period, quoting the name of the applicant. A. Parker, on behalf of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 21st August 2000.