RIGS are Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites
In England, RIGS are now officially referred to as "Local Geological Sites"
RIGS are part of
the hierarchy of how natural heritage, specifically geology, is defined and
preserved. They are designated by local groups using the following nationally developed criteria:
- The value of a site for educational purposes in life-long learning
- The value of a site for study by both amateur and professional Earth Scientists
- The historical value of a site in terms of important advances in Earth Science knowledge, events or human exploitation
- The aesthetic value of a site in the landscape, particularly in relation to promoting public awareness and appreciation of Earth Sciences.
RIGS is a
non-statutory designation. This means that the site doesn’t have any legal
standing but is protected from development that would cause damage to a RIGS unless
the importance of the work is considered to outweigh the value of the
affected RIGS, in which case measures will be taken to minimise and offset the
impact on the outcrop.
Sites of national importance are designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), a status that offers greater legal protection. A site may be a both a RIGS and an SSSI (eg. Aust Cliff).
The designation of local sites as RIGS is one way of recognising and protecting important Earth science and landscape features for future generations to enjoy.
More info:
GeoConservationUK - The Association of UK RIGS Groups
Sites of national importance are designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest), a status that offers greater legal protection. A site may be a both a RIGS and an SSSI (eg. Aust Cliff).
The designation of local sites as RIGS is one way of recognising and protecting important Earth science and landscape features for future generations to enjoy.
More info:
GeoConservationUK - The Association of UK RIGS Groups
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| The new GeoConservationUK leaflet - click on image to increase size |
