PROBLEMS ON THE OPEN COAST
Mupe and Worbarrow Bays: major cliff falls in the Chalk. This area lies within the Army Ranges and no property is under threat. Consequently erosion does not create any significant problems in this part of the coast		The principal problems associated with erosion on the open coast are: The loss of property Loss of agricultural land Loss of the Coast Path The establishment of coast protection schemes that may protect property but can also: obscure geological interest, interfere with coastal processes affect the landscape quality affect wildlife habitats Loss of the Coast Path Loss of agricultural land Create ongoing Health and Safety problems Erosion of the Coast Path and access paths to beaches due to people The Dorset Coast Forum has published a detailed topic paper on the on the issues of coast defence.
LATEST NEWS CASE STUDIES		Coast protection schemes The Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), formally the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, has overall responsibility for coast defence and flood protection. They provide the bulk of the funding for schemes, typically undertaken by Borough or District Council Engineering departments , the Environment Agency and other parties. Proposed schemes have to pass rigorous guidelines in order to secure funding through an appraisal system that considers: · Reducing the risk to people and to the developed and natural environment from flooding and coastal erosion · Identifying a solution that is technically sound and most fit for its purpose · Being environmentally acceptable and sustainable · Ensuring best value for money from a national perspective For the economic appraisal, any proposal must demonstrate that the benefits of a scheme outweigh the costs and this is examined through a cost benefit analysis. The proposal must undertake a risk benefit analysis that considers the likelihood of defence failures and the resultant risk to life and damage to property. The Environmental Appraisal must take into account any impact and ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation. Schemes may contain mitigation measures that enhance the natural interest and where these measures add to the cost of the scheme, these are taken into account within the Economic appraisal. Post Project Evaluation aims to demonstrate good practice for future schemes by examining how schemes perform once completed The Local Authority cannot currently seek funding to assist in the purchase of property or provide compensation to landowners in order to retreat from the cliff. This remains a complex and controversial issue.
Stone pitching the Coast Path west of Lulworth Cove. This is probably the busiest path on the Dorset coast and the pitching is the single largest management task ever undertaken		The Coast Path The Coast Path and access routes are maintained by the Countryside Services for Dorset and Devon County Councils. Heritage Coast Rangers work with others to maintain surfaces, access points, styles and signage. Other bodies, principally the National Trust and the larger private estates also manage access and the countryside in general. The South West Coast Path Team have a strategic role in funding and promoting the long distance trail that runs from Minehead in Somerset, to Studland in Dorset. Other groups such as 'Purbeck Heritage' play an important role working in partnership with these organisations.
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