Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are areas notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, as being of "special interest for nature conservation". They represent the finest sites for wildlife and natural features in Great Britain supporting many characteristic, rare and endangered species, habitats and natural features. Notification as a SSSI is primarily a legal mechanism organised by English Nature and selected according to specific scientific criteria. The Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs, published in 1989 by the Joint Nature Conservation Council, set down the selection criteria for both biological and geological SSSIs.
Biological SSSIs - form a national network of wildlife sites. Sites are selected in such a way that the protection of each site, and hence the network, aims to conserve the minimum area of wildlife habitat necessary to maintain the natural diversity and distribution of Britain’s native flora and fauna and the communities they comprise. Each site, therefore, is of national significance for its nature conservation value.
Geological SSSIs – more correctly termed Earth Science SSSIs – are sites chosen for their research value, the criterion being that they are of national or international importance. Earth Science conservation is concerned with the maintenance of our geological and geomorphological heritage.
There are approximately 4,100 Sites of Special Scientific Interest in England of which 43 are in Hertfordshire. English Nature is responsible for identifying and protecting these sites. This is achieved, primarily, in partnership with SSSI owners and managers, and as a result the majority are in good condition and well managed.
Ever growing pressures on our landscape and countryside mean that SSSIs are an increasingly precious part of our natural heritage. Damaging SSSIs is unacceptable, either in the short or long term, and must be avoided if they are to remain the finest wildlife and natural heritage sites in England. Once lost, the special interest of a site may be difficult or impossible to restore or re-create. Owners and occupiers (ie landowners, tenants and commoners) of SSSIs must give English Nature written notice before initiating any operations likely to damage the site, or allowing someone else to carry out these activities. None of the operations listed in the notification documents may proceed without English Nature's consent.
Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW) anyone who in any way intentionally or recklessly destroys or damages any of the flora, fauna or geological or physiological features of an SSSI is guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, of a fine of up to £20,000.
For more information on SSSIs please go to www.naturalengland.org.uk
National Nature Reserves are statutory reserves established for the nation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. NNRs may be owned by relevant national body (e.g. Natural England in England) or established by agreement; a few are owned and managed by non-statutory bodies. NNRs cover a selection of the most important sites for nature conservation in the UK. There is 1 NNR in Hertfordshire.
For further information please contact:
Natural England, Harbour House, Hythe Quay, Colchester, Essex CO2 8JF
Tel: 01206 796666
Special Areas of Conservation are sites designated by Member States under the EC Habitats Directive. The aim is to establish a European network of important high quality conservation sites that will make a significant contribution to conserving habitats and species considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level. There are 2 SAC sites in Hertfordshire.
For further information please contact: Natural England (details above)
Special Protection Areas are designated under the EC Birds Directive, to conserve the habitat of certain rare or vulnerable birds and regularly occurring migratory birds. Any significant pollution or disturbance to or deterioration of these sites has to be avoided. There is 1 SPA site in Hertfordshire, All designated SPAs are SSSIs.
For further information please contact: Natural England (details above)
Ramsar sites are designated under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat. Wetlands are designated, protected and promoted in order to stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands, which are broadly defined to include marsh, fen, peatland and water. There is 1 Ramsar site in Hertfordshire. All designated Ramsar sites are SSSIs.
For further information please contact: Natural England (details above)
AONBs are nationally important landscapes that are not National Parks, designated by the Countryside Agency to aid their protection and management. An AONB cannot be included in a simplified planning zone and it is not promoted for active recreation such as a National Parks. The one AONB in Hertfordshire has an associated body concerned with the area’s conservation.
For further information please contact:
Chilterns Conservation Board Office, The Lodge, 90 Station Road, Chinnor, Oxfordshire OX39 4HA
Tel: 01844 355500. Email: office@chilternsaonb.org
Land owned, leased or managed by Local Authorities and designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act. A site of some nature conservation value managed for educational objectives - no need for SSSI status. Some reserves are managed by a non-statutory body. Local authorities have the power to pass bylaws controlling (e.g.) access, special protection measures. There are 32 LNRs in Hertfordshire.
For further information please contact: Natural England (details above)
Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites are non-statutory earth science sites. The RIGS networks are locally based voluntary groups drawing on both professional and interest groups identifying sites using a methodical and rational approach. RIGS are analogous to non-statutory biological sites - they are not a second tier but sites of regionally or local importance in their own right. There are 18 RIGS in Hertfordshire.
For further information please contact:
John Facer, Hall Farm House, Langley, Herts. SG4 7PN.
HBRC, September 2007
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