DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:

GUIDANCE ON THE
ASSESSMENT OF
PEAT VOLUMES,
REUSE OF
EXCAVATED
PEAT AND THE
MINIMISATION OF
WASTE

A joint publication by
Scottish Renewables
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
1 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
Version 1,PEAT
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED January 2012
AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Introduction 3
CONTENTS

Aim, Objectives 3
Guidance Structure and Content 4
Legislative Background 5
Stage 1: Environmental Impact Assessment 6
Desk Study & Initial Walkover 6
Data Acquisition 7
Data Integration / Assessment 8
Stage 2: Post Consent / Pre-construction 9
Further Site Investigation (including intrusive works) 9
Peat volume calculations and design 10
Stage 3: Construction Stage 11
Peat management and monitoring 11
Guiding Principles 12
Prevention and Reduction through Design 12
Reuse 14
Treatment and Reuse 20
Annex 1: Peat Management Plan 21
Related Guidance 23

2 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Introduction
This document is aimed at businesses engaged in activities that involve
developments on peat. The principles contained herein apply to all forms
of development on peat, although the examples used are taken from
wind farms. This guidance ensures consistency in the application of the
Scottish Environment Protection Agencys (SEPA) regulatory position on
such developments and supports SEPAs Regulatory Position Statement on
Developments on Peat.
The information contained in this guidance has been prepared by a joint
working group involving Scottish Renewables, SEPA, and representatives
from companies with development and construction experience in peatland
environments.

Aim, Objectives
The overriding aim of this guidance is to assist SEPA, planning officers, developers,
consultants, contractors, and other parties responsible for environmental protection
during the development process, by providing clear guidance of the potential waste
issues that may arise during developments on peat and how these should be dealt with,
within the hierarchical requirements of the Waste Management Licensing (Scotland)
Regulations 2011.

The objectives underlying this aim are:

1) To provide clear guidance on the typical steps SEPA expect developers to

take at each stage in the development process to seek to avoid waste peat
altogether, or at least minimised as far as is reasonably practicable and
managed in the most sustainable and environmentally robust manner.
2) Provide guidance to ensure that relevant legislation is duly considered.
3) Provide examples and evidence of where peat has been reused in an
acceptable manner.

3 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Guidance Structure and Content
This guidance has been structured around the three main stages in the development
process:

Stage 1: Environmental Impact Assessment

Stage 2: Post-consent / pre-construction
Stage 3: Construction

Guiding Principles are also provided herein that further illustrate some actions that
may be taken to reduce excavated peat volumes and reuse it in an appropriate manner
without resulting in waste generation and subsequent waste management issues.

Excavated peat associated with development on peatland is not classed as waste

provided it is suitable (from an engineering as well as environmental perspective) for a
required and predetermined end use as part of construction works and reinstatement
on a site. However, peat varies widely in physical characteristics depending on a
number of factors such as physical location, groundwater, surface water and drainage,
altitude, climate, topography, vegetation cover and past and present land management
practices. Once excavated, unless it is handled appropriately, peat typically loses some
of its physical structure and strength. This unconsolidated, and generally saturated,
excavated material has a limited range of uses within construction works.

This document identifies valid options for the reuse of peat that are acceptable to
SEPA under the terms of waste legislation and also provides guidance to assist peatland
developers on what options may be available in terms of recycling or recovery should
the material be considered to be unsuitable for use in its excavated form and therefore
potentially classed as waste.

The options explored within this guidance are not exhaustive and are based on
current knowledge, experience, evidence and published research and guidance.
Alternative options may always be considered if applicable for the site. Whether or not
a proposed use is appropriate or acceptable will ultimately depend on a range of site
specific factors that will require to be considered on a site by site basis in consultation
with SEPA.

Separate guidance concerning other environmental issues associated with

developments on peatlands, such as ecological considerations, construction issues,
carbon accounting etc. is available in separately published guidance, for example Good
practice during windfarm construction and Floating Roads on Peat.

4 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Legislative Background
The overarching framework for National (i.e. UK) legislation is set by European
Community (EC) Directives, with the relevant Directive on waste matters being 2008/98/
EC (the Waste Framework Directive (WFD)) which came into force 12 December 2008.

Article 4 of this Directive sets out the waste hierarchy and requires that it is applied
as a priority order in waste prevention and management legislation and policy. The
waste hierarchy is defined as follows:

a) Prevention;
b) Preparing for re-use;
c) Recycling;
d) Other recovery e.g. energy recovery; and
e) Disposal.

The Directive also states that, Member States shall take into account the general
environmental protection principles of precaution and sustainability, technical feasibility
and economic viability, protection of resources as well as the overall environmental,
human health, economic and social impacts.

The main national legislation potentially relevant to waste management activities

involving waste peat are:

Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as amended)

Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (as amended)
The Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011

Where excavated or disturbed peat does not have a genuine and identified re-use
for which it is suitable, it is possible that the peat will be classified as a waste material
and regulated as such under the relevant legislation. SEPA will aim to regulate in a
proportionate manner and ensure that the ultimate management of any waste peat will
be designed to deliver environmental benefits. This will include consideration, on a site
by site basis, of ecological and carbon stock benefits as well as economic, social and
practical aspects.

5 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Stage 1: Environmental Impact Assessment
As part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) it will be necessary to
demonstrate to SEPA, and other relevant parties, that the extent of peat at the study
site has been investigated. Further information on the scope of site surveys and
best practice is provided in the Scottish Government publication Developments on
Peatland: Site Surveys & Best Practice.

For smaller scale developments seeking approval out with the EIA process, the
overarching, general, guiding principles of minimisation through design and practice are
equally applicable.

Furthermore, it is necessary to show:

how, through site investigation and iterative design, the proposed development
has been structured and designed to minimise, so far as reasonably practicable,
the quantity of peat which will be excavated;
that volumes of peat anticipated to be excavated by the proposed development
have been considered; and
how excavated peat will be managed.

Much of the scope of site investigation and data acquisition described within this
document is already required to complete peat stability, hydrological and ecological
surveys as well as carbon payback assessments normally undertaken as part of the EIA
process. Coordination and knowledge exchange between surveyors and assessors is
therefore essential to obtain adequate data to undertake robust assessments for each of
the related EIA disciplines as well as consideration of the waste management aspects.
The overall aim is to minimise the impacts associated with excavation of peat by using
the following hierarchy of design principles: prevent excavation; reduce volumes of peat
excavated; and reuse excavated peat in a manner to which it is suited.

6 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Desk Study & Initial Walkover
Aim

To determine likelihood of peat being present at the site and expected extent, depth
and habitat sensitivity. The objectives are to:

1. Define suitable scope for further survey / site investigation as required; and
2. Define data requirements for completion of peat excavation and reuse volume
assessments.

Scope of Works

1. Review topographic, geological, soil maps and aerial photography to provide

outline habitat mapping. This may indicate typical peatland vegetation cover.
2. Conduct a site walkover, with the aim to verify the information gathered during the
desktop study and to record targeted peat information, focussing on likely areas
of peat and initial expectations of track alignments, turbine locations, borrow pits,
crane pads, substation/control building and construction compounds.
3. If available, obtain initial findings from other baseline assessments (e.g. ecology,
hydrology etc.) which might consider the presence, quantity and quality of peat at
the study site.
4. Collate information gathered and draw up detailed and justified scope of
works for further site investigation, including scope of peat probing and other
site investigations required to meet the objectives of the data acquisition and
assessment stages.

Data Acquisition
Aim

To obtain sufficient site / ground investigation data to inform site design such that
the excavation of peat is minimised and preliminary volume estimates for excavated
peat and intended reuse requirements can be calculated. The data should also allow
for a degree of assessment of the characteristics of the peat and its likely suitability for
reuse. All site investigation information, including visual observations and available
ground investigation data, should be used to refine input parameters for calculating
excavation and reuse volumes.

Scope of Works

Visual Assessment

1. Notes to be made on the presence and nature of peat deposits encountered,

including observations on natural or man made topographical, hydrological and
hydrogeological features as well as type and condition of vegetation cover.
2. Visual assessment should also be made of any other relevant geomorphological
features. For example, the stability of natural slope angles in conjunction with the

7 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 fibrous or viscous nature of the peat and the type of mineral soil (for assessment
of likely silt propensity and also the suitability of the material for reuse).
3. Visual observations should be fed into the initial design of tracks (e.g. floating
roads, drainage requirements, etc), and likely borrow pit configurations (e.g.
shallow and wide or steep and incised into hillside etc).

Peat probing and coring

1. Peat probing should occur at sufficient intervals (refer to Good practice during
windfarm construction and Developments on Peatland: Site Surveys & Best
Practice guidance documents) along proposed tracks where peat is identified as
being present. Peat probing should also be conducted at each area of proposed
site infrastructure. Full depth of peat should be measured to underlying strata.
Where this is not possible, the depth of probing must be fully justified dependent
on the intended works.
2. A representative sample of peat cores (hand held auger / Russian corer) should
be taken in order to assist with classification of peat characteristics, for example
properties of acrotelmic and catotelmic material.
3. Density of peat probing and coring may be reduced where peat is not present
(although a selection of confirmatory / control points should be probed for
verification purposes). Where access restrictions or other constraints (e.g. dense
forestry cover) restrict the peat probing and coring density that would otherwise
apply then justification should be provided.

Data Integration / Assessment

Aims

1. Collate and interpret all gathered data.

2. Calculate preliminary estimated volumes of excavated materials and potential
reuse volume requirements based on initial site design / layout.
3. Determine whether there is likely to be negative or positive overall peat balance,
and whether the generation of excess material will be avoided, and, if not, where
reductions in the volumes of excavated materials may be achieved.
4. In the context of the overall environmental, human health, economic and social
impacts, refine site layout to reduce volumes of excavated material and reduce
carbon impacts of the project construction activities.
5. Prepare a draft Peat Management Plan.

Scope of Works

1. Conduct preliminary excavation and reuse volume calculations and identify

intended methods of reuse.
2. Explore the sensitivity of the parameters used in the volume calculations to inform
and refine proposed mitigation and good construction practices and potential
further site investigation works.
3. Where possible, record specific examples of how overriding principles of

8 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 prevention and minimisation of peat disturbance are to be taken into account in
the design of the site.
4. Ensure the assessment also feeds into and considers results of the peat stability
assessment, carbon payback assessment and the assessment of the economic
viability of the project (e.g. all constraints should be considered together to
determine the optimum site design that avoids / minimises risks as far as is
reasonably practicable).
5. Identify limitations and make recommendations for further site investigation
(post-consent) in order to steer detailed design and micrositing such that
opportunities for further reductions in excavated peat volumes can be
implemented where possible.

Stage 2: Post Consent / Pre-construction

As part of the EIA it will have been demonstrated to SEPA and other interested parties
that, on the basis of the investigation and data gathered, it is likely that the excavated
materials at site can be managed in an appropriate manner. The site material mass
balance calculations may be further developed and refined post planning consent, and
prior to the relevant works commencing, as a consequence of any further or more
detailed ground investigation or survey works required to inform detailed design or
required under planning consent conditions.

Further Site Investigation

(including intrusive works)
Aim

To further determine the peat characteristics across the site to allow detailed design
of the site infrastructure and to ensure the general principles of waste prevention and
minimisation are met. The aim is to define and carry out suitable site investigation
methods at a sufficient density to increase certainty of peat data, which would enable the
site infrastructure layout or construction methodology to be refined in order to confirm
(or reduce) the estimated volume of excavated peat and to further inform the peat
excavation and reuse volume assessments.

Scope of Work

1. Review all the data collected during the Environmental Impact Assessment stage.
2. Detail proposals for further site investigation (ground investigation) for the site
and borrow pits including, as required: Locations for trial pits and boreholes;
Areas for and density of additional peat depth probing;
Locations for further peat coring;
Area to be covered by detailed topographic survey; and
On-site chemical and off-site lab testing.
3. Carry out further site walkover surveys to check all information available to date,
and suitability of the proposed methods and equipment for ground investigation.
4. Conduct the ground investigation and topographic survey work.

9 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Peat volume calculations and design
Aim

To analyse the information gathered from the further site investigation and in the
context of the consented site design to refine, if appropriate, the estimate of the volumes
of peat that would be excavated and reused. This process can be an iterative one,
building on the calculations performed at Environmental Impact Assessment stage.

Scope of Works

1. Review all the data provided by the ground investigation and topographical survey.
2. Calculate potential peat volumes, based on planning consent design. The volumes
of peat excavation should identify each area of the site from which the peat will be
excavated e.g. each section of the track layout, crane pads, borrow pits, construction
compound, etc. The volumes of peat reuse should identify the intended valid reuses
of peat.
3. Carry out design review and peat quantity review to assess whether potential surplus
or unsuitable peat will be generated by the construction process. The revised
volumes should take into account possible further mitigation methods and valid
methods of reuse for the excavated peat.
4. Prepare a Peat Management Plan. Annex 1 contains a checklist of information
that should be contained within a Peat Management Plan. This would typically
be monitored by the Ecological Clerk of Works, Environmental Manager or other
suitably qualified person. The Peat Management Plan should support and inform the
Site Waste Management Plan if it is expected that any waste peat will be generated.

10 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Stage 3: Construction Stage
Tender Design Validation

Aim

To confirm with reasonable certainty the likely peat excavation volumes with the aim of
ensuring that, as with earthworks, as far as reasonably practicable, there is a balance of
material use across the project and disturbance of peat and associated haulage is kept
to a minimum.

Scope

At the start of the construction stage the tender design will be validated by the civil
contractor, including as required:

1. Initially undertake detailed topographic survey work.

2. Confirm the turbine suppliers specific infrastructure requirements.
3. Re-evaluate the planned turbine layout, hardstandings, track alignments and
borrow pits in light of the ground conditions actually found on site and any other
detailed constraints, e.g. ecological and archaeological. Stage 1 and Stage 2 will
have endeavoured to relocate tracks and turbines previously sited in areas of deeper
peat and peat instability (linking to the peat stability information and risk register).
Within micro-siting allowances, the alignment and design of tracks, hardstanding
orientation and construction methods will be reviewed to avoid/minimise peat
disturbance as much as possible in light of the more detailed topographic/design
information available once construction actually commences on site.
4. Where necessary update the Peat Management Plan and, if relevant, the Site Waste
Management Plan.

Peat management and monitoring

Aim

To ensure that peat excavation volumes are minimised and to monitor and develop peat
management measures on an ongoing basis.

Scope

1. The Contractor (and the Ecological Clerk of Works if applicable) will walk the
proposed route of the site tracks and location of infrastructure to validate the initial
design or to inform where/how amendments to the location of infrastructure or the
track alignment and track construction methodology should be undertaken.
2. During the construction stage the Contractor will regularly review and update the
site material mass balance calculation and maintain as-built records of excavated
and reused volumes.
3. Consider SEPA requirements in the event of any significant changes to the Peat
Management Plan or Site Waste Management Plan.

11 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Guiding Principles
Prevention and Reduction through Design

One of the key objectives in site design and construction is to prevent and / or minimise
the excavation of any peat onsite, as far as reasonably practicable. This helps ensure
that, as much as possible, the existing environment is protected and the net carbon
benefits of the site are maximised. The following table provides some possible ways to
prevent and reduce peat excavation at the design stage.

PREVENT AND REDUCE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

Where possible position site Within the EIA process it may be necessary to
infrastructure in areas of shallower redesign the locations of site components due to
peat or design appropriate peat constraints found on site.
engineering solution to avoid and/
or minimise excavation of peat (for An appropriate level of peat probing at an
example floating roads and piling early stage of design is therefore necessary to
solutions). demonstrate how the layout and design of the
proposal, including any associated borrow pits,
foundations, hard standings and roads, avoids
impact on peat areas where possible, taking into
consideration other constraints identified as a
result of the environmental impact assessment.
Minimise infrastructure that could Where possible, and taking into account
impact peat. safety and construction logistics, consider the
following:

Review track layout and remove redundant

tracks on site by designing turning places rather
than circular tracks.

Where safety considerations allow, reduce the

number of passing places by carefully planning
the curvature of tracks and reinstate passing
places post construction if possible.

Reducing the size of the temporary construction

compound by removing non-essential
components or stacking workers cabins if safe
to do so.

Where safety, construction and turbine delivery

logistics allow, consider removing or minimising
the need for creating separate lay down areas on
virgin ground by storing turbine components at
the port, on previous hardstandings, alongside
crane hardstandings or in passing places during
construction.

12 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 PREVENT AND REDUCE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD
Where safety, construction and turbine delivery
logistics allow, consider removing or minimising
the need for creating separate lay down areas on
virgin ground by storing turbine components at
the port, on previous hardstandings, alongside
crane hardstandings or in passing places during
construction.

Use areas of previous development (former

quarries, redundant areas of hardstanding,
brownfield land etc) if available or suitable for
site infrastructure.

Avoid laying underground cables in virgin ground

and align within track verges. Where installation
in virgin ground is required, select the least
intrusive method of installation (e.g. mole
ploughing). Backfill cable trenches with peat,
maximizing the use of available peat turves or
excavated material originating locally or from the
trench (provided this meets required electrical
insulation properties etc).
Minimise the detriment to peat if Replace cut roads with floating roads over areas
excavation cannot be fully avoided. of deep peat.

Design piled foundations where ground

conditions allow and peat conditions are such
that removing the peat would cause more
disturbance. This practice would be dependent
on safety, cost and construction logistics and
consideration of other potential environmental
impacts such as noise, vibration and disturbance
of wildlife.
Prevent peat displacement from the On some sites it may be possible to plan
development of borrow pits construction of tracks through areas where rock
can be easily won to minimise the number and
size of borrow pits needed.

Consider economic viability and practicality

(construction logistics and transport impacts)
of importing aggregate rather than opening
up borrow pits on sites which have significant
overburden.

13 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Reuse
The key guiding principle is to only re-use peat where it is suitable for the identified and
required use.

Careful handling is essential to retain any existing structure and integrity of the
excavated materials and thereby maximise the potential for excavated material to be
reused. The following principles should be considered at all stages but predominantly
in the design, planning and implementation of the construction phase of the
development:

Minimise plant movements and haul distances in relation to any earthworks activity
including peat management.
Develop appropriate temporary storage areas for excavated peat close to the
excavation. Suitable storage areas are more appropriately sited in areas with lower
ecological value (e.g. deforested commercial forestry sites) and low stability risk.
Reuse should occur as soon as possible after excavation where practicable.

The following are some examples of valid re-uses of excavated peat during construction:

REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

Road verges, turbine foundations, Dressing off and reinstating peat on the slopes and
hard standing, substation edges of constructed infrastructure as soon as
platforms. practicable after construction. This is a necessary
part of the landscaping restoration process and
should create a suitable tie-in with the surrounding
topography, thereby reducing visual impacts while
seeking at the same time to retain as much of the
existing habitat as possible.

Verge reinstatement on cross

slope cut track.

Verge is slightly raised above

road level to act as a visual
screen looking upslope. Turfs
have been sympathetically
handled and replaced on the
reinstated material to encourage
vegetation re-growth in keep with
surrounding habitat.

14 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
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 REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

Verge reinstatement of
floatingtrack.

Peat is used to gradually grade

the raised verge of the floating
track to tie into the surrounding
land thereby reducing the visual
impact of a raised floated track.
Turfs were placed using a long
reach excavator.

Verge reinstatement of floating

track.

Low angle of reinstated

slopes reduces run off and
therefore reduces peat loss and
improves chances of vegetation
regeneration along verges.

Screening bunds Where a requirement is demonstrated, suitable

peat may be used to create screening bunds
along tracks, around the perimeter of buildings/
substation compounds etc.
Reinstatement of cable trenches Peat may be utilised as backfill material for cable
installations although electrical and thermal
design criteria will need to be considered and it
is important that only peat uncontaminated with
debris is used for this application (i.e. no large
stones or tree stumps, etc).

15 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD
Reinstated cable trench
(marker posts indicate cable
route alignment).

Borrow pit restoration Peat may be reused within borrow pits for the purpose
of their restoration provided the method of reuse
and final restoration profile is in keeping with overall
habitat and environmental reinstatement objectives
and requirements at the site and presents no residual
risks from pollution of the environment or harm to
human health.

The design and proposed methods for restoration

should consider the potential for delivering
environmental benefits in the shorter term, including
consideration of methods for enhancing vegetation
regeneration (e.g. careful turf replacement and or
reseeding if appropriate to the local environment and
habitats) and preventing desiccation and carbon losses
from the peat used in the restoration.

Peat used in this manner should not require any

treatment before its use and only the quantity
necessary for landscape and/or peatland restoration
purposes is used. Unconsolidated peat may be the
most suitable material for this purpose.

Fencing may be justified in the medium term e.g. if it

is required to enable exclusion of grazing stock, and
therefore encourage vegetation recovery, or to allow
stabilisation of the surface until vegetation cover is
established.
The following sites are examples of where all the
above principles and requirements were met and
excavated peat was successfully reused. The key
points of each example qualifying it for successful
reuse within all applicable frameworks are noted.

16 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

This borrow pits design

was bowl shaped with
unconsolidated peat used at
depths up to 5-6m within the
centre designed to create a
saturated mire type habitat.
Acrotelmic material (turves)
was used on the surface to
speed up natural vegetation
recovery.

In this example key plant

species (Sphagnum species
and Eriophorum vaginatum)
required for the establishment
of a typical mire vegetation
community and the formation
of an active bog system
(actively forming peat) were
recorded to be present in the
early years post construction
(in this case <3 years).

This borrow pits design

allowed unconsolidated peat
to be used at depths of up
to 2-3m to create a wetland
habitat in line with habitat
management plan objectives
for the site. In this case the
borrow pit was excavated
downslope and the downslope
worked face acted to retain
high water levels within the
restored area thus preventing
peat drying out. Acrotelmic
material (turves) was used
where available on the surface
and vegetation regrowth is
observed to be progressing
towards natural conditions in
early years post construction
(in this case <2 years).

17 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

The designed shallow open

aspect of this borrow pit
profile allowed use of 1-2m of
peat to create habitat similar
to surrounding environment.
Acrotelmic material (turves)
was used where available on
the surface and vegetation
regrowth is observed to be
progressing towards natural
conditions in early years post
construction (in this case <2
years).

Photo shows borrow pit

towards the end of the
construction phase.

The final borrow pit profile is

comparatively level and flat
with gentle slopes which blend
in with the surrounding slope
of the hillside. [The photo
below is of this same borrow
pit following restoration].

This is the restored borrow

pit shown in the above photo.
Six full growing seasons have
passed since restoration was
completed. The restored area
is regenerating very well with
80% vegetation cover, the
majority of which is heather
(Calluna vulgaris), in line with
the surrounding vegetation
which is composed of dry
dwarf shrub heath.

18 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
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 REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

Peatland restoration (water Peat may be used for ditch blocking as part of
table restoration, habitat peatland restoration on blanket or raised bogs. This
enhancement, wetland may be required as mitigation or enhancement
creation etc) measures and may form part of a Habitat Management
Plan for the site. The aim of ditch blocking is to raise
the water table to restore the blanket bog conditions.
Saturated peat may be the most suitable material
for this use (refer to Good practice during windfarm
construction guidance, Section 14.5).
Peat may be required for creation of specific habitats,
e.g. wetlands. This could be employed as part
of borrow pit restoration, ditch blocking, lochan
restoration, etc.

Peat dams have been used

successfully in blanket bog
restoration by blocking up
active ditches and raising the
water table back to its original
level.

Peat dams used for blocking

wider ditches. In some
circumstances (and provided
the conditions are appropriate,
risks have been assessed and
the nature of the peat material
used is suitable) it may be
beneficial to place peat behind
such dams in order to speed
up the restoration process
and associated vegetation
regeneration

19 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Treatment and Reuse
Excavated peat, in particular unconsolidated peat, will typically lose some structural
integrity upon excavation and subsequent handling (e.g. through double handling or
haulage around the site). As noted in the previous section, there are some valid options
for reuse of unconsolidated material provided no further treatment is required and it
is demonstrated that the material is suitable for that use. However, in some cases,
while the material may be required for a predetermined end use, it may require prior
treatment to render its physical state into a form suitable for the required restoration or
landscaping purpose. In these situations, SEPA should be consulted to determine the
appropriate waste management licensing requirements for the treatment, recovery and
use of the material.

The following table provides examples of treatment options that may be feasible,
although it should be noted that in most cases a combination of options may be
appropriate and selection and viability of options will be dependent and justified based
on the environmental benefits and carbon impacts on a site by site basis.

REUSE REQUIREMENT AND OUTLINE METHOD

Blending Unconsolidated and/or saturated peat may be blended

with more consolidated peat or granular material
(mineral soil or rock aggregate) in order that it can
be used for reinstatement without any engineering or
containment measures.

Dewatering Unconsolidated and / or saturated peat can be

dewatered by e.g. natural gravity and drainage,
or mechanical pressing or filtration. Appropriate
disposal or discharge of the aqueous fraction needs to
be considered and discussed with SEPA.
Dewatered peat may be suitable as a horticultural
product. However, to deliver such a product the peat
will require to be milled to meet required product
specifications and there are limits on particle size,
moisture content, density and contamination (e.g.
seeds, stones and other foreign matter). These
complexities may preclude this option, although it is
possible that on some sites it may be viable providing
logistics are favourable. It is essential that the
negative carbon impacts are evaluated and considered
in the decision making process.

20 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 ANNEX 1: PEAT MANAGEMENT PLAN
While there are no defined requirements for the layout or content of a Peat Management
Plan, the following provides a guide to what should be considered when preparing such
a plan:

Subject Aspects to be addressed within peat management plan

Peat Conditions Briefly describe the peat conditions on site and how this was
determined (with reference to EIA if necessary).
Excavation and Provide detail on what activities will generate volumes of
reuse volume peat and the expected / estimated volumes. Identify where
estimates and reuse and what volumes of material are required for reinstatement
requirements. and landscaping purposes (e.g. alongside road verges and
reinstatement of other infrastructure).
Classification of Consider the likely physical nature of the material and confirm
excavated material it will be suitable for the reuses proposed.
Use of peat Identify whether there is a requirement to restore borrow
in borrow pit pits or other specific restoration areas on site (other than
restoration. reinstatement and landscaping of site infrastructure). Provide
information on intended final restoration profile and method
statement for how this is to be achieved, the likely volumes of
material required to and where the material is to be sourced.
Demonstrate that any restoration materials are suitable and are
required to meet the restoration profile and objectives.

If specific habitat management objectives are applicable,

describe how these objectives are to be met.

Confirm borrow pit design has taken account of medium

and long term restoration objectives relating to habitat and
environment.

Restoration should be achieved without requiring any further

material treatment.
Use of peat for other Identify where the source material required for the ditch
restoration purposes blocking is to come from and consider the logistics and
(e.g. peatland methods required to transport it and use it at the ditch blocking
restoration, ditch site / peatland restoration area. The requirement for this
blocking etc.). activity to take place (in the context of peatland restoration /
habitat management), the methods to be employed, and the
suitability of the material to be used has to be demonstrated.
Handling excavated Describe how excavated soils and turves will be handled so as
materials to avoid cross contamination between distinct horizons and
ensure reuse potential is maximised. For example, the storage
time for peat turves should be minimised and turves should
only be used for surface restoration.

21 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Temporary storage Describe construction phasing and programme and intended
methods of handling and holding of all excavated materials,
including peat. It is desirable to keep haul distances of
excavated peat as short as possible in order to minimise the
potential impact on its structure. It is important that temporary
storage is safe and keeps the material suitable for its planned
reuse.

Identify areas for any temporary storage areas required for peat,
taking into account constraints and mitigation requirements
identified in the EIA and existing peat slide/stability reports.
Describe any intended drainage, pollution prevention and
material stability mitigation measures that may be required.

When planning the temporary storage areas any additional

disturbance areas should be minimised.

22 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
 Related guidance:
Developments on Peatland: Site Surveys & Best Practice
(Scottish Natural Heritage, SEPA, Scottish Government, The James Hutton Institute
2011)

Floating Roads on Peat

(Forestry Civil Engineering, Scottish Natural Heritage August 2010)

Good practice during windfarm construction

(Scottish Renewables, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission, SEPA October
2010)

Regulatory Position Statement - Developments on Peat

(SEPA February 2010)

This guidance was produced by:

David MacArthur, MacArthur Green

Gordon McCreath, Pinsent Masons
Gordon Robb, SLR Consulting
Hamish Seaton, RJ McLeod
Jane MacDonald, SSE Renewables
John McFeat, SEPA
Matilda Urie, Eon
Paul Young, SEPA
Joss Blamire, Scottish Renewables
Steve Pears, Natural Power Consultants
Stuart Mason, ScottishPower Renewables

Further staff within these organizations, as well as researchers from external bodies,
in particular Dr Alona Armstrong from Glasgow University, have also contributed to the
development of the guidance and the working group are grateful for their input.

23 DEVELOPMENTS ON PEATLAND:
GUIDANCE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF PEAT VOLUMES, REUSE OF EXCAVATED PEAT AND THE MINIMISATION OF WASTE
DESIGN BY ANDREWDOBBIE.CO.UK