Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS)

Ingleborough Limestone Pavement
© English Nature

Although the nationally most important geological sites have been designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) there are many other sites which are important and deserve some degree of protection and/or conservation.

In many parts of the country local groups of professional and amateur geologists, together with other conservation groups such as the Wildlife Trusts, have formed RIGS groups to identify and where appropriate designate Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS). These are similar to Sites of Importance for Nature Conversation (SINC) in that they are non-statutory but may receive a measure of protection by being notified to local authorities and included in the relevant local development framework documents.

As well as their value for geology and geomorphology, RIGS are also identified by reference to criteria relating to their access, safety, cultural, heritage, economic and geodiversity value.

The North Yorkshire Geodiversity Partnership is also the steering group for a RIGS group affiliated to UKRIGS, the national co-ordinating body. As well as RIGS, Dales Geological Sites will also be
identified, primarily for their value educational value at primary and secondary level.

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Local Geodiversity Action Plans (LGAPs)

English Nature’s web-site states that:

‘The common aim of LGAPs is the conservation and enhancement of geodiversity. LGAPs are being developed to provide a framework for the delivery of geoconservation, in part, developed from the model of Biodiversity Action Plans and have adopted the process of setting clear aims and objectives, with measurable targets, for local geoconservation in order to provide:
• a structured approach to local geoconservation
• wider awareness of geological sites and geoconservation
• increased protection for existing and newly identified sites, and
• a framework for grant applications.

Local Geodiversity Action Plans (LGAPs) set out actions to conserve and enhance the geodiversity of a particular area. In general they aim to:
• identify, conserve and enhance the best sites that represent the geological history of an area in a scientific, educational, recreational and cultural setting
• promote geological sites and make geoconservation relevant to people
• provide a local geodiversity audit (an audit of sites and skills)
• influence local planning policy.

Combs Quarry Ingleborough - Unconformity between the Silurian rocks below and the Carboniferous Limestone above
© BGS (NERC)

English Nature Research Report No. 601, Local Geodiversity Action Plans - sharing good practice by Cynthia Burek and Jac Potter provides a summary of a workshop held, in December 2003, by English Nature. It examines the common features of six recently completed LGAPs (Cheshire Region, County Durham, Leicestershire and Rutland, North Pennines AONB, Staffordshire, Tees Valley and Warwickshire).

The Report, and a leaflet summarizing the workshop, are available to download from English Nature at www.english-nature.org.uk.
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