Measures
You can select any combination of these options for each measure that you submit.
| Freeboard after increasing water level (mm) | Payment rate £/ha |
|---|---|
| 599-500 | 20 |
| 499-400 | 30 |
| 399-300 | 60 |
| 299-200 | 120 |
| 199-100 | 190 |
| 99-0 | 420 |
Option intent
Recent evidence highlights that an extra 4 Tonnes of eCO2/Ha/Yr is emitted from peatlands for every 100mm that the average annual water table level sits below the field surface.
This option is intended to minimise how far below the surface of the fields the water sits.
Option description
The raising of Summer pen water level across a hydrological block to facilitate the preservation of peat soil under existing agricultural management.
Payment to only cover instances where the average mean water table is increased above that listed in the most current IBD WLMP for that are, or the measured average level from the last three years
Qualification requirements
Qualification for payment will be dependent on all following trigger points being met:
On or before 1st April 2023 a minimum freeboard level as agreed amongst all of landowners to be reached and recorded photographically on IDB gauge board or using IDB in channel water level telemetry. Level to be maintained as far as is practicable until 30th Nov 2023.
Major flood event exclusion:
If the flood risk increases beyond the limits of the trial, any additional water stored over and above typical seasonal levels will be released and all control will be returned to the relevant Flood Risk management Authorities. Once flood risk has returned to normal the trial program will be resumed. Money to be paid in any case.
Double funding
Fields already receiving DEFRA funding that duplicates these options (primarily [HLS HK10 & HK19; CS - SW18]) will not be eligible for this measure.
| Freeboard after increasing water level (mm) | Payment rate £/ha |
|---|---|
| 599-500 | 5 |
| 499-400 | 10 |
| 399-300 | 20 |
| 299-200 | 40 |
| 199-100 | 60 |
| 99-0 | 80 |
Option intent
Recent evidence highlights that an extra 4 Tonnes of eCO2/Ha/Yr is emitted from peatlands for every 100mm that the average annual water table level sits below the field surface.
This option is intended to minimise how far below the surface of the fields the water sits.
The differential in payments between summer and winter rates is intended to reflect the fact that, in general, grass species are more tolerant of high water tables in winter than summer. Below soil temperatures of circa 5OC, grass is stable even fully submerged in water and therefor little damage to the sward will occur. In higher water tables and warmer temperatures, developing management techniques to keep the peat covered (and reducing consequential peat loss)
Option description
The raising of winter pen water level across a hydrological block to facilitate the preservation of peat soil under existing agricultural management.
Payment to only cover instances where the average mean water table is increased above that listed in the most current IBD WLMP for that are, or the measured average level from the last three years.
Qualification requirements
Qualification for payment will be dependent on all following trigger points being met:
On or before 1st December 2022 a minimum freeboard level as agreed amongst all of landowners to be reached and recorded photographically on IDB gauge board or using IDB in channel water level telemetry. Level to be maintained as far as is practicable until 31st March 2023.
Major flood event exclusion:
If the flood risk increases beyond the limits of the trial, the trial program will be suspended, any additional water stored over and above typical seasonal levels will be released and all control will be returned to the relevant Flood Risk management Authorities. Once flood risk has returned to normal the trial program will be resumed. Money to be paid in any case.
Double funding
Fields already receiving DEFRA funding that duplicates these options (primarily CS - SW18 [to be verified with Natural England]) will not be eligible for this measure.
Value
£ Value: £130 /ha.
Option description
Land manager to ensure no more than 0.25% exposed peat at any time across the entire field parcel. Removal of all livestock before the end of active growing season ( e.g. by 30th November (i.e. just before Winter pen).
Outcome focused option: Ensure no more that 0.25% exposed peat at any time on an individual land parcel, exact management options required are to be determined by the landowner, however breach of the 0.25% specification will result in the loss of payment for this measure across all said landowners holding.
Option intent
To ensure a good cover of permanent, dense sward over the peat, to act as cap to maintain moisture and encourage in soil decomposition of emitted methane.
Qualification requirements
Subject to spot checks at any point during the test period with 48hrs notice from FWAG SW staff
Double funding
Fields already receiving DEFRA funding that duplicates these options (primarily [HLS HK10 & HK19; CS - GS2, etc.]) will not be eligible for this measure.
Value £15/ha
A one off payment, to be awarded at the discretion of FWAG SW senior staff, dependant on the level of collaboration displayed by a moor as a whole.
Priority appraisal criteria will be:
Ability to make and consolidate around collective decisions
Secondary criteria:
Implementation
Results of the trial
