REINSTATEMENT OF SAND PITS AND QUARRIES

IN COASTAL DUNE AND MACHAIR SYSTEMS

OF THE MINCH AREA

A Report produced for the Minch Project

by

Northern Ecological Services,

in association with

Arch Henderson & Partners

July 1996

REINSTATEMENT OF SAND PITS AND QUARRIES

IN COASTAL DUNE AND MACHAIR SYSTEMS

OF THE MINCH AREA

A Report produced for the Minch Project

by

Northern Ecological Services,

Clifton House, Dinnet, Aboyne, Aberdeenshire

in association with

Arch Henderson & Partners,

26, Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen

Funded by:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Western Isles Council

Highland Council

Scottish Tourist Board

Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise

Lochaber Ltd

Ross & Cromarty Enterprise

Caithness & Sutherland Enterprise

Western Isles Enterprise

European Regional Development Fund

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 4

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7

1.0 INTRODUCTION 2

Background and aim of the study 2

Report format 2

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW OF RESTORATION TECHNIQUES 2

Introduction 2

Slope stabilization 2

Infilling and soil reinstatement 3

Sand stabilization 4

Binders 4

Mulches 5

Revegetation 6

Turfing 6

Seeding 7

Aftercare 9

Fertilization 9

Fencing 10

Monitoring 10

3.0 CHARACTERISTICS OF SAND PITS IN THE MINCH AREA 10

Introduction 10

Characteristics of sites 2

Introduction 2

Erosion 2

Slopes 3

Water table 3

Substrate 3

Vegetation and grazing 4

Visual impact 4

Existing reinstatement 4

Opportunities and constraints to reinstatement 5

Summary 6

4.0 CASE STUDIES 7

Introduction 7

Site 4/5 Traigh Mhor, Barra 7

Introduction 7

Erosion 2

Slopes 2

Water table 2

Substrate 3

Vegetation and grazing 3

Visual impact 3

Existing reinstatement 4

The need for further reinstatement 4

Recommended further reinstatement (see Fig. Two) 5

Aftercare and monitoring 7

General 7

Summary 7

Introduction 9

Erosion 9

Slopes 9

Substrate 10

Water Table 10

Vegetation and grazing 10

Visual impact 10

Existing Reinstatement 10

The need for further reinstatement 11

Recommended further reinstatement (see Fig. Three) 11

Aftercare and monitoring 13

Summary 13

Site 16 Horgabost, Harris 14

Introduction 14

Erosion 14

Slopes 14

Water table 15

Substrate 15

Vegetation and grazing 15

Visual impact 15

Existing reinstatement 16

The need for further reinstatement 16

Recommended further reinstatement (see Fig. 4) 17

Aftercare and monitoring 18

Summary 18

Overall summary of the three case studies 20

Further work needed 20

5.0 GUIDELINES FOR REINSTATEMENT 21

Introduction 21

Aims of reinstatement 21

Establishing the need for reinstatement 21

Erosion control 2

Reduction of visual impact 3

Safety 4

Nature conservation and geomorphological interest 4

Principles of reinstatement 5

Strategies and techniques for reinstatement 5

"Do nothing" option 5

Remedial measures 6

Landforming 6

Revegetation 8

Other strategies 9

Reinstatement of infilled pits 9

Field trials, aftercare and monitoring 10

Field trials 10

Aftercare and monitoring 10

Need for overall strategy on sand pit locations 12

Summary 12

Appendix One - Site Survey Notes 12

Additional Sites 12

SITE NO. 1 VATERSAY (Plates 21 and 22) 12

SITE NO. 2 TANGASDALE, BARRA (Plates 23 to 26) 13

SITE NO. 3 CLEAT 16

SITE NO. 5 TRÀIGH MHÓR (Plates 2 to 9 ) Chapter 4 16

SITE NO. 6 TRAIGH EAIS (Plates 27 and 28) 18

SITE NO. 7 EOLIGARRY JETTY (Plates 29and 30) 18

SITE NO. 8 BREVIG-CASTLE BAY ROAD 20

SITE NO. 9 GARRYNAMONIE (Plates 31 and 32) 20

SITE NO. 11 DRIMSDALE (Plates 33 to 35) 20

SITE NO. 12 DRIMORE 22

SITE NO. 13 M.O.D. BASE SOUTH (Plates 36 & 37) 22

SITE NO. 14 M.O.D. BASE NORTH (Plates 38 & 39) 24

SITE NO. 15 CULLA (Plates 40 & 41) 24

SITE NO. 17 HORGABOST (Plates 42 & 43) 26

SITE 18 LUSKENTYRE 26

SITE 19 OPINAN (Plate 44, Plan Drawing 95206-04, Fig No 6)) 26

APPENDIX ONE - RAPID SURVEY SITE DESCRIPTIONS 28

APPENDIX TWO - SEED MIX SPECIFICATION 29

APPENDIX THREE - CONSULTEES 30

APPENDIX FOUR - GLOSSARY 31

APPENDIX FIVE - BIBLIOGRAPHY 32