Environmental Considerations
The Roach and Crouch Estuaries are a valuable resource for the east coast in terms of their ecological and landscape importance, and their associated social and amenity value for the local community and tourists alike.

The area comprises a number of nature conservation designations namely, the Essex Estuaries cSAC, the Roach and Crouch Estuaries SPA and Ramsar site, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), National Nature Reserves (NNR), and statutory/non-statutory Local Nature Reserves (LNR).

In addition to the nature conservation designations, other key issues relating to wildlife include the rare and/or protected Biodiversity Action Plan habitats and species present in the area including, reptiles, amphibians, otter, water vole, brown hare, badger and fisher's estuarine moth. The loss of salt marsh from the processes known as 'coastal squeeze' is also a major issue for the Essex Estuaries. Re-creating salt marsh to offset the loss of this valuable habitat is a key objective for the Strategy.

The Strategy area is also of considerable importance for archaeological and cultural heritage. There are numerous sites of prehistoric, medieval, post medieval and industrial importance. Eight sites within the strategy area are designated as Scheduled Monuments and there are almost 1000 unscheduled sites. There are also 250 listed buildings, some dating from medieval times.

Other noteworthy environmental considerations are the numerous landfill sites, refuse filled seawalls and other areas of potential contamination. Any flood management options identified must take full consideration of the environmental risks associated with these sites.