Chadwick Lakes rehabilitation to restore site to its ‘optimal state’

The proposed Rehabilitation of Chadwick Lakes aims at restoring Chadwick Lakes to its optimal state, the project brief filed with the Planning Authority reads.

An application, by the Energy and Water Agency, was filed last February to rehabilitate Wied il-Qlejgha (Chadwick Lakes).

"In so doing, the project will attract public awareness and will improve sensitivity towards nature conservation. To meet these objectives, the government's policy is to reverse degradation of Wied il-Qlejgħa in the short term and allow a gradual and long term rehabilitation of the whole ecosystem," the project brief reads.

The brief reads that at present, the valley is in a deplorable state. "Lack of maintenance and proper management have led to a number of problems in Wied tal-Qlejgħa, most notably: a reduced surface water retention capacity due to the accumulation of sediment and debris; proliferation of invasive and non-native plant species; dilapidation of the rubble and retention walls; and fly-tipping, amongst others."

The valley has a historical wealth dating back to Punic Times and the Knights of St John. "More recently, the potential of water storage of this valley has been recognised by British engineers with the first experimental dam built in 1884. Most of the original infrastructure designed by Lord Chadwick have been left unmaintained and are presently in a derelict state. Therefore this project plans to valorise the British period infrastructure."

The brief highlights that Chadwick Lakes is a popular recreational spot during winter months, "attracting hundreds of picnickers known to cause disturbance to the environment by discarding rubbish, trampling (within the valley footprint) and poaching of tadpoles and frogs. In response to this intrusive and recurrent behaviour, the project shall seek to steer and limit picnickers to the designated recreational areas, detached from and thus respecting the integrity of the valley bed. The purpose of this design is that of leading only the right visitors, (eg nature enthusiasts, trekkers) to the more ecologically sensitive area alongside the valley in a non-intrusive manner. Access alongside the valley is envisaged by means of trekking paths and informative signage on the area's aquatic, natural and historical heritage. This will guide trekking to established pathways and avoid trespassing in valley bed."

The project includes a number of studies which is bringing together ecologists, hydrologists and environment management specialists. The primary elements of the proposed project would include water conservation and reinstatement of the storage capacity of the existing  dams;  Restore valley ecology (endemic) to high status; Reinstatement of the ecology balance; Repairing banks and retention walls in an environmentally acceptable manner, etc.

The brief reads that no excavations shall be implemented in the underlying bedrock which shall be preserved in its natural condition.

from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2Q0u8dY
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