79-614: The National Rivers Authority ( NRA ) was one of the forerunners of the Environment Agency of England and Wales , existing between 1989 and 1996. Before 1989 the regulation of the aquatic environment had largely been carried out by the ten regional water authorities (RWAs). The RWAs were responsible for the supply and distribution of drinking water, sewerage and sewage disposal , land drainage and flood risk management , fisheries , water quality management, pollution prevention, water resource management and many aspects of
158-681: A Quango ) of the Scottish Government . SEPA was established in 1996 by the Environment Act 1995 and is responsible for the protection of the natural environment in Scotland. SEPA is a member of SEARS (Scotland's Environmental and Rural Services) . On 24 December 2020 SEPA was subject to a serious and complex cyber-attack that significantly impacted their contact center, internal systems, processes and communications. Hackers stole over 4,000 digital files. SEPA refused to pay
237-539: A licence authority. The agency is funded in part from the UK government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Additional money is raised from the issuing of licences and permits such as abstraction licences, waste handler registrations, navigation rights and rod (fishing) licences. Funding for asset management and improvement and acquisition of flood risk management assets has traditionally come from local authorities via flood defence committees. This
316-1141: A chosen geographical area direct to customers who have registered a mobile or landline telephone number. Also, that month the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service (SFFS) was formed, a partnership between SEPA and the Met Office with £750,000 of funding from the Scottish Government . Its role is to provide flooding forecasts to Category 1 & 2 responders. In order to protect Scotland's air quality, SEPA regulates and monitors industrial activities and processes in Scotland that may lead to local airborne pollution. In order to do this effectively, SEPA works closely with local authorities and other partners to manage and improve air quality locally." There are many things which can negatively affect good air quality such as, vehicle and transport emissions, energy production, some industrial processes, waste and agriculture. The emissions that are produced by these activities can significantly damage air quality which can lead to health problems, depletion of
395-430: A different approach to engage with its stakeholders at a local level. SEPA is Scotland's national flood forecasting, flood warning and strategic flood risk management authority. SEPA operates Scotland's flood warning service. This is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, information service which includes direct warnings by phone and online flood warnings and flooding updates through its dedicated telephone number 0345 988 1188. As
474-657: A duty to monitor and report on the state of Scotland's environment. SEPA then uses that scientific understanding to better regulate the activities that may negatively affect environmental quality. SEPA publish a wide range of environmental information and advise Ministers, partner bodies, regulated industry and the public on environmental issues. SEPA employ experts in many fields of science, including hydrology , chemistry , ecology , algology , ecotoxicology , hydromorphology, hydrogeology , and oceanography . These scientists analyse samples collected from across Scotland's air, land and water environments for changes and degradation of
553-412: A focus for leisure and recreation activities and are vital resources for many of Scotland's industries. SEPA helps protect and improve Scotland's water environment through regulation, monitoring and planning. As mentioned above, SEPA is the flood warning authority for Scotland and they work with other organisations to manage flood risk. SEPA's hydrologists monitor these water levels so that they can warn
632-535: A formal quality assurance system for its monitoring and assessment functions. Their quality assurance system is compliant with international standards ISO/IEC 17025 , ISO 9001:2000 , and ISO 14001 , and is monitored and externally audited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service ( UKAS ) and SGS . SEPA is an organisation which was established to protect and enhance Scotland's environment and protect human health. To do this, it
711-556: A high standard and based on sound science. The agency is the regulatory authority for all waste management activities including the licensing of sites such as landfill , incineration and recycling facilities. It also regulates the movement of hazardous wastes such as fibrous asbestos , infectious clinical wastes and harmful chemicals. The agency issues environmental permits to waste management sites and any individuals or companies found to have caused pollution or have infringed their licence conditions can be prosecuted. In serious cases
790-509: A reorganisation that took place in April 2010. The directorate is now known as Science and Strategy Directorate and includes Chemistry , Ecology , Marine, Hydrology , Environmental Quality, Radioactive Substances, Science, Organisational Planning and Improvement, Environmental Strategy. Communications is also part of this directorate, because of its strategic role within the organisation. The Finance and Corporate Services directorate undertakes
869-528: A report by consultants in 2001, these are estimated to prevent annual average damage costs of approximately £3.5 billion. The agency also invests in improving or providing new installations in areas where there remains a high risk of flooding, particularly where, because of the possible consequences, the damage risk is the highest. The Thames Barrier was completed long before the EA was created but more recent examples of major defences against coastal flooding include
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#1732772156723948-443: Is Scotland's environmental regulator and national flood forecasting, flood warning and strategic flood risk management authority. Its main role is to protect and improve Scotland's environment. SEPA does this by helping business and industry to understand their environmental responsibilities, enabling customers to comply with legislation and good practice and to realise the economic benefits of good environmental practice. One of
1027-470: Is also responsible for increasing public awareness of flood risk, flood forecasting and warning and has a general supervisory duty for flood risk management. As of 2008 the Environment Agency also has a strategic overview role for all flood and coastal erosion risk management. The term "Flood Risk Management" in place of "Flood Defence" recognises that managed flooding is essential to meet
1106-694: Is around £22& per annum. The agency uses the registration fees of some 31,000 craft on the waterways to provide some of the income. The agency's responsibilities include the non-tidal River Thames , the Medway Navigation , River Wye and River Lugg , the Royal Military Canal and the Fens and Anglian systems . The Environment Agency is organising the Fens Waterways Link a major construction project to link rivers in
1185-491: Is carried out in line with the National Planning Policy Framework . The agency provides technical advice on the flood risk assessment that must be submitted with most planning applications in flood risk areas. The agency also runs public awareness campaigns to inform those at risk who may be unaware that they live in an area that is prone to flooding, as well as providing information about what
1264-532: Is no limit on the amount of the fine and sentences of up to five years imprisonment may be imposed on those responsible for the pollution or on the directors of companies causing pollution. The agency has an important role in conservation and ecology specifically along rivers and in wetlands. More general responsibility for the countryside and natural environment in England falls to the organisation Natural England . The Environment Agency's activities support users of
1343-500: Is now known as Operations after an internal reorganisation in April 2010. The directorate includes environmental policy, radioactive substances policy and regulation, SEPA's advisory work, river basin management planning, national planning, strategic environmental assessment and Organisational Development (encompassing Human Resources, Health and Safety and Learning and Development). The Environmental and Organisational Strategy Directorate and Environmental Science Directorate were merged in
1422-434: Is required by law under the provisions of a number of European Directives to be reported both to Parliament and to be made public. Some of these duties have been in force through predecessor agencies and as a consequence the agency maintains some long term data sets which in some cases such as the harmonised monitoring scheme exceed 30 years of consistent data collection. Monitoring is also carried out of many discharges to
1501-418: Is to protect the environment and human health in Scotland from the effects of waste management and disposal. SEPA reports on waste data and is also involved in enforcing European compliance schemes. They also support the Scottish Government and other organisations in delivering Scotland's National Waste Plan. Scotland's water environments provide rich sources of drinking water, provide natural habitats, are
1580-423: Is used to fund vital work to improve and protect fish and fisheries. Income generated is invested directly back into the angling community, improving fish stocks, boosting opportunities for anglers as well as undertaking fisheries enforcement, habitat improvement and fish rescues when needed. It is not used to fund wider water quality investigations or enforcement action. This is funded directly by government. After
1659-572: The Canal & River Trust , the Environment Agency is the second largest navigation authority in the United Kingdom managing navigation for 634 miles (1,020 km) of England's rivers. The Agency's lock-keepers maintain and operate systems of sluices , weirs and locks to manage water-levels for navigation, and where necessary to control flooding. Annual spending to maintain these installations, with an estimated replacement value of £700M,
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#17327721567231738-441: The Environment Act 1995 , section 4). Protection of the environment relates to threats such as flood and pollution. The vision of the agency is of "a rich, healthy and diverse environment for present and future generations". The Environment Agency's remit covers almost the whole of England, about 13 million hectares of land, 22,000 miles (35,000 km) of river and 3,100 miles (5,000 km) of coastline seawards to
1817-716: The Flood Forecasting Centre (FFC) which provides warnings of flooding which may affect England and Wales. Formed in 2009, the FFC is based in the Operations Centre at the Met Office headquarters in Exeter . The agency is the main regulator of discharges to air, water, and land – under the provisions of a series of Acts of Parliament. It does this through the issue of formal consents to discharge or, in
1896-745: The Medmerry managed realignment scheme in West Sussex in 2013. Recent examples of major inland flood prevention schemes include the Jubilee River . The Environment Agency provides flood forecasting and warning systems and maintains maps of areas liable to flood, as well as preparing emergency plans and responding when an event occurs. The Environment Agency carries out an advisory function in development control – commenting on planning applications within flood risk areas, providing advice to assist planning authorities in ensuring that any development
1975-601: The River Dee in England and EA staff exercise operational responsibility for those parts of the River Severn catchment in Wales. The Environment Agency employs around 10,600 staff. It is organised into eight directorates that report to the chief executive. There are two "policy and process" directorates. One deals with Flood and Coastal Risk Management and the other with Environment and Business. These are backed up by
2054-614: The River Restoration Centre at Cranfield University . Until the formation of the Environment Agency, the Government took specialist advice on the management of the environment from civil servants employed in appropriate ministries. This led to considerable duplication of effort and frequent disagreements between Government and the regulatory agencies. The Environment Agency now advises Government directly about those issues within its purview. The operational arm of
2133-465: The River Tweed and River Solway catchments where special arrangements exist with SEPA to avoid duplication but retain management on a catchment basis. Complex arrangements exist for the management of river regulation reservoirs , which are used to store winter water in the wetter parts of England to maintain levels in the summer time so that there is sufficient water to supply the drier parts of
2212-458: The Severn bore . The EA operates a variety of equipment and machinery along with a transport fleet in order to carry out the specialised duties of its officers, namely in survey, incident response and monitoring. Due to the remit of the EA, this includes land vehicles, marine vessels and light aircraft. The agency uses its influence and provides education to change attitudes and behaviour towards
2291-595: The ozone layer and changes to other natural habitats. The overall picture in Scotland is one of good air quality which has been getting better over the last 30 years or so, particularly in urban areas. But the picture is not perfect. There are some localised problems in Scottish towns, mainly caused by traffic emissions. ... Scotland’s carbon dioxide emissions are contributing to global climate changes which are likely to have significant long term environmental impacts. Alasdair D. Paton, SEPA Chief Executive, 1999. SEPA and
2370-506: The Environment Agency as a whole and is responsible for the appointment of the chairman and the Environment Agency board. In addition the Secretary of State is responsible for overall policy on the environment and sustainable development within which the agency undertakes its work; the setting of objectives for the agency's functions and its contribution to sustainable development; the approval of its budget and payment of government grant to
2449-484: The Environment Agency consists of 14 areas, all of which report to the Director of Operations. As of April 2014, the Environment Agency removed its regional level of administration (formerly Anglian Region, Midlands Region, North West Region, South East Region, South West Region and Yorkshire & North East Region) to be replaced by an "area once, national once" model. The 14 area names were also changed to better reflect
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2528-410: The Environment Agency has the power to revoke the environmental permits issued to sites that contravene the conditions of their permits stopping all waste handling activities. The agency has a duty to maintain and improve the quality of surface waters and ground-waters and, as part of the duty, it monitors the quality of rivers, lakes, the sea and groundwater on a regular basis. Much of this information
2607-578: The European, national and local level. Local authorities regulate air pollution from smaller industrial processes. The agency works with local authorities, National Highways and others to implement the UK government's air quality strategy in England as mandated in the Environment Act 1995 . The Environment Agency has an Air Quality Modelling and Assessment Unit (AQMAU) that aims to ensure that air quality assessments for permit applications, enforcement and air pollution incident investigations are consistent, of
2686-459: The Evidence directorate. The fourth directorate is a single Operations "delivery" unit, responsible for national services, and line management of all the regional and area staff. The remaining directorates are central shared service groups for Finance, Legal Services, Resources and Communications. In support of its aims, the agency acts as an operating authority , a regulatory authority and
2765-645: The Fens and Anglian Systems for navigation. The first stage is the South Forty-Foot Drain . Functions in relation to most canals are undertaken by the Canal and River Trust . The Environment Agency is the harbour authority for Rye and the conservancy authority for the Dee Estuary . The Environment Agency has also published information about tidal bores , these being the Trent Aegir and
2844-485: The NRA for water removed from surface and ground waters but the NRA then had to pay to have such waters released into rivers. In circumstances where reservoirs had been built to control river flow and thus independently support drinking water abstractions, this could entail the NRA paying out more to have the water released than it had charged for its abstraction. It also meant that some releases of water from reservoirs, which in
2923-747: The Scottish Government work in partnership with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs ( Defra ) to ensure the objectives that are listed in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are achieved. The SAQ database and website were commissioned by the Scottish Government. Launched in April 2007, SAQD was set up to provide a single source of air quality information for Scotland that would improve research quality to support and evaluate Scotland's air quality policies whilst also providing
3002-618: The accumulation and disposal of radioactive wastes in Scotland, including functions under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993 . The State of Scotland's Environment 2006 Report showed a downward trend in levels of man-made radioactivity in the environment over the last decade. One of the best ways to minimise the negative effects of waste are through waste minimisation and prevention. However, waste can also be put to good use through reuse, recycling, composting and thermal treatment . Another one of SEPA's statutory duties
3081-454: The agency for its activities in England and approval of its regulatory and charging regimes. Its chief executive is Sir James Bevan. Sir Philip Dilley resigned as chairman on 11 January 2016, with Emma Howard Boyd becoming acting chair. Emma Howard Boyd took up the post of chair formally on 19 September 2016. The Environment Agency was created by the Environment Act 1995 , and came into existence on 1 April 1996. It had responsibility for
3160-417: The agency's sponsoring government departments. Approximately half the agency's expenditure is on flood risk management, and a third is spent on environment protection (pollution control). Of the remainder, 12% goes to water resources , and 6% to other water functions including navigation and wildlife. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has the lead sponsorship responsibility for
3239-417: The aquatic environment including sewage effluents and trade and agricultural discharges. The agency manages the use and conservation of water through the issue of water abstraction licences for activities such as drinking water supply, artificial irrigation and hydro-electricity generation. The agency is in charge of inland rivers, estuaries and harbours in England. Its remit also extends into Scotland in
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3318-503: The areas that they serve. The new area names are: Since the establishment of the Environment Agency several major flood events have occurred and the Agency has been the target of criticism. A number of reports have been produced which chart various developments in flood management. Scottish Environment Protection Agency The Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA ; Scottish Gaelic : Buidheann Dìon Àrainneachd na h-Alba )
3397-468: The case of large, complex or potentially damaging industries by means of a permit. Failure to comply with such a consent or permit or making a discharge without the benefit of a consent can lead to criminal prosecution. A magistrates' court can impose fines of up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment for each offence of causing or knowingly permitting pollution. If prosecuted in the Crown Court , there
3476-638: The country with drinking water. The Environment Agency fisheries service has a statutory duty to maintain, improve and develop migratory and freshwater fisheries as set out in the Environment Act 1995. The interpretation of this is set out in Ministerial guidance as: The Environment Agency has the power under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 to license fishing for salmon trout, freshwater fish, eels, lamprey and smelt and to set duties for
3555-436: The diagnosis and treatment of diseases to its use in energy generation and nuclear weapons. However, if radioactive substances are not stored or used properly, they can potentially cause significant human health problems and damage to the environment. As SEPA has a responsibility for protecting Scotland's environment and human health, it also has responsibility for regulating the storage, and use of, radioactive substances and
3634-709: The environment and help deliver the Scottish Government 's overall environmental objectives. So that it can effectively achieve its mission and aims, SEPA has created a Corporate Plan which lists its priorities and goals. SEPA employs around 1,300 staff who are involved in protecting Scotland's environment and human health. SEPA's staff are employed in a wide range of specialist areas which include: chemistry , ecology , environmental regulation, hydrology , engineering , quality control , planning, communications , business support and management functions. The agency operates through three directorates: The previously named Environmental Protection and Improvement (EPI) Directorate
3713-431: The environment are commented on in any detail. For many years the agency has been offering strong advice against the development of land in floodplains because of the risk of flooding. Whilst in some instances, this advice may not have been appreciated in its entirety, in a large number of cases this advice has been used to reach decisions on planning applications. The Environment Agency is also an advisory board member of
3792-574: The environment or threat to human health. SEPA tests individual chemical parameters and the levels of plants and animals in marine, freshwater and terrestrial habitats. They also conduct analyses of solid waste arisings and audit check analyses of gaseous emissions to the atmosphere. In 2009, SEPA was maintaining and operating a significant network of gauging stations and rain gauges to provide national flood warning and forecasting services for Scotland. SEPA holds over 30 years of hydrometric data for Scotland's rivers. These data are invaluable in characterising
3871-524: The environment. Action, in several policy areas, is directed towards business and commerce at all levels, children in education, the general public and government and local government. This last area is quite distinct from the agency's statutory role to advise government. In local government planning processes, the Environment Agency is a statutory consultee on all planning matters from county strategic plans down to individual planning applications. In reality only those applications judged to pose special risks to
3950-659: The financial planning and reporting for the organisation as well as its procurement, facilities management, information systems and management and resilience activities. The Agency Board legally constitutes SEPA and board members are appointed by Scottish Ministers. SEPA's Chairman and a Deputy Chairman are appointed by Scottish Ministers and the Agency Board appoints a Chief Executive. SEPA used to have Regional Boards (North, South-west and South-east) that undertook local engagement with customers, partners and stakeholders. However, these were phased out by 2010 and SEPA now adopts
4029-481: The findings of the SEA. As the plan has now been formally adopted, SEPA is required to explain how it has taken account of the SEA process in a "SEA Statement". SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and Historic Scotland are all government funded organisations with responsibilities for different aspects of Scotland's environment and heritage; in 2009 a joint statement on climate change
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#17327721567234108-429: The fire spread quickly in the inside of the wall leading to substantial smoke damage throughout. The building was quickly evacuated and the fire under control in under an hour. The resulting internal document proposed additional standards for the handling of materials that offer environmental advantages but may be considered more susceptible to ignition. On 1 April 2013, that part of the Environment Agency covering Wales
4187-400: The flood warning codes and symbols mean and how to respond in the event of a flood. The agency operates Floodline , a 24-hour telephone helpline on flooding. Floodline covers England, Wales and Scotland but not Northern Ireland, and provides information and advice including property flood-risk checks, flood warnings, and flood preparation advice. In partnership with the Met Office it runs
4266-441: The long-term pressures on Scotland's environment, particularly in relation to the assessment and management of the consequences of climate change . SEPA's testing, analysis and interpretation of samples covers a wide range of environments throughout Scotland, including contaminated land , fresh and saline waters, soils and sediments, sewage and industrial effluents, leachates , fauna and biota, and landfill gases . SEPA operates
4345-464: The management of aquatic ecology and some aspects of recreation . With the passing of the Water Act 1989 , the ten water authorities in England and Wales were privatised by flotation on the stock market . They took the water supply, sewerage and sewage disposal activities into the privatised companies. The remaining duties remained with the newly created National Rivers Authority. The assets and
4424-588: The name suggests, the Floodline service is designed to give the public early warning of likely flooding in specific areas. The service also gives advice on what to do before, during and after a flood. In Wales, Floodline is operated by Natural Resources Wales, and in England by the Environment Agency In March 2011 SEPA enhanced its provision with a direct warnings extension to its Floodline service. This sends flood warning information for
4503-544: The next five years to further integrate climate change across the organisation. SEPA's Climate Change Plan was subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as part of its preparation. This was required under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. The SEA helped SEPA to understand the environmental effects of the plan and allowed for improvements to be made throughout the preparation process. The environmental report explains, in detail,
4582-421: The past had been made principally for ecological or recreational interests, were now made with economic interests as the principal driver. The logo of the NRA was a stylised image of a salmon in a circle of water, sometimes frivolously referred to by the staff of the NRA as the washing machine . The chair of the NRA throughout its existence was Lord Crickhowell . In 1996, the NRA ceased to exist when it
4661-537: The planning system and takes a consultative approach where they can add most value. The agency tends to favour early engagement with planning authorities to ensure they can support development plan proposals and aid the implementation of a genuinely plan-led land use planning system. There exists a guidance note "How and when to consult SEPA" that provides further information on planning consultation with SEPA. Radioactive substances are used widely in industry, medicine and research in Scotland. Uses can range greatly from
4740-634: The predecessor bodies were disbanded and the local authorities relinquished their waste regulatory role. At the same time, the agency took responsibility for issuing flood warnings to the public, a role previously held by the police. In 2010 a new national headquarters for the agency was opened at Horizon House in Deanery Road, Bristol . The building, which was designed by Alec French Architects, received Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment ( BREEAM ) certification for its environmentally friendly construction and operation which includes
4819-491: The protection and enhancement of the environment in England (and until 2013 also Wales). Based in Bristol , the Environment Agency is responsible for flood management, waste management , regulating land and water pollution, and conservation. The Environment Agency's stated purpose is, "to protect or enhance the environment, taken as a whole" so as to promote "the objective of achieving sustainable development " (taken from
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#17327721567234898-502: The provision of fishing licences. Fishing licence income along with a small amount of Grant in Aid (GiA) provides the funding to deliver the statutory duty to maintain, improve and develop freshwater and migratory fisheries, including the current fisheries service provided to recreational anglers. The EA's funding principles mean that income from the sale of fishing licences is entirely ringfenced re-invested back into fisheries work. Many of
4977-595: The public and businesses of the likelihood of a flood. SEPA provides annual reports on the quality of Scotland's bathing waters. Complying with the European Community (EC) Bathing Water Directive, they also work closely with other organisations to reduce the risk of urban and rural pollution in Scotland's coastal and inland bathing waters. SEPA regulates other water activities such as discharges to groundwater, discharges to surface water, abstractions , removal of sediments and replacement of weirs. SEPA has
5056-459: The public with more easily understood and accessible local air quality information. SEPA's position on climate change recognises that it is the greatest threat to our physical and socio-economic future. The organisation has produced a climate change plan which contains details about how SEPA will reduce its own carbon emissions. This five year climate change plan introduces SEPA's specific role in climate change mitigation and what they will do over
5135-614: The quality of Scotland's land through provision of guidance on good land use practice and a variety of regulatory measures. SEPA is identified as a key agency under the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and help deliver the Scottish Government 's commitment in providing a more effective and efficient planning system. SEPA also provide formal environmental advice in relation to development plans and on various development proposals across Scotland. SEPA attempts to enable good development whilst also and protecting Scotland's environment through
5214-404: The ransom, and on 21 January 2021 learned that the information stolen had been published online illegally; some of the information was already publicly available, while some was not. SEPA's mission statement is to be an environmental regulator and an effective and influential authority on the environment. SEPA provides a system of environmental protection for Scotland that aims to improve
5293-437: The requirements of a sustainable flood strategy. It is often not economically feasible or even desirable to prevent all forms of flooding in all locations, and so the Environment Agency uses its powers to reduce either the likelihood or consequences of flooding. The Environment Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining and replacing an estimated £20 billion worth of flood risk management (FRM) installations. According to
5372-560: The rivers and wetlands, including anglers and boaters. The agency states that they take a "leading role in limiting and preparing for the impacts of climate change." The agency is a regulator for the release of air pollutants into the atmosphere from large, complex industrial processes. This will soon include emissions from some large-scale agricultural activities, but air pollutant releases from many agricultural activities will continue to be unregulated. Major sources of air pollution, such as transport, are subject to various measures at
5451-624: The societal and environmental outcomes the fisheries service currently deliver, and aspire to deliver on a greater scale, is through partnership working. Working with partners such as the Angling Trust, the Wild Trout Trust and the Riverfly partnership allows the EA to maximise fishing licence income through match funding to deliver against key benefits for fishing and fisheries across the country. Income from fishing licence sales
5530-492: The staff of the RWAs were divided up at privatisation between the new water companies and the NRA. However, all the assets relating to water supply reservoirs were transferred to the newly created private water companies, even in those cases where there were strong recreational and fisheries interests in the reservoirs. Complex charging arrangements were also put in place whereby the newly created companies paid abstraction charges to
5609-671: The three-mile limit which includes 2 million hectares of coastal waters. In a sharing arrangement with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), it also exercises some of its functions over parts of the catchments of the River Tweed and the Border Esk which are, for the most part, in Scotland . Similarly, in an arrangement with NRW , political and operational areas are not coterminus. NRW staff exercise responsibility for parts of
5688-416: The use of sustainable materials, natural ventilation and cooling, photoelectric panels and rainwater harvesting . On 24 April 2013, Horizon House suffered a fire leading to its closure for several weeks. An investigation into the fire found it was that result of workmen accidentally igniting the environmentally friendly cavity wall insulation on the ground floor and due to the design of the upward airflow
5767-472: The ways SEPA does this is through the NetRegs environmental guidance service. It protects communities by regulating activities that can cause harmful pollution and by monitoring the quality of Scotland's air, land and water. The regulations it implements also cover the storage, transport and disposal of radioactive materials. SEPA is an executive non-departmental public body (Executive NDPB, often known as
5846-568: The whole of England and Wales but with specifically designated border arrangements with Scotland covering the catchment of the River Tweed . It took over the roles and responsibilities of the National Rivers Authority (NRA), Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP) and the waste regulation authorities in England and Wales including the London Waste Regulation Authority (LWRA). All of
5925-547: Was merged into Natural Resources Wales , a separate body managing the Welsh environment and natural resources. The Environment Agency is the principal flood risk management operating authority . It has the power (but not the legal obligation) to manage flood risk from designated main rivers and the sea. These functions in relation to other rivers (defined as ordinary watercourses ) in England are undertaken by local authorities or internal drainage boards . The Environment Agency
6004-519: Was prepared as part of a joint approach in Scotland. "The Scientific evidence is now overwhelming: climate change presents very serious global risks and it demands an urgent global response". In Scotland, the effects of climate change can be seen in raised temperature changes, increased rainfall and less snow cover (than the last Ice Age). These changes have a significant impact on the growing, breeding and migration seasons, as well as species abundance and diversity. SEPA aims to protect and enhance
6083-406: Was provided in the form of 'flood defence grant-in-aid' from government (£578 million for England and £50 million for Wales). In addition, £347 million (34 per cent) was raised through statutory charging schemes and flood defence levies; and a further £50 million (5 per cent) came from other miscellaneous sources. In 2007–08 had an operational budget of £1.025 billion, of which £628m was grant from
6162-550: Was subsumed into the Environment Agency , together with HMIP Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP) and the local authority waste regulation functions. Its duties in Wales passed to Natural Resources Wales in 2013. Environment Agency The Environment Agency ( EA ) is a non-departmental public body , established in 1996 and sponsored by the United Kingdom government 's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs , with responsibilities relating to
6241-474: Was then effectively repaid by central government in later years as part of the Formula Spending Share. In 2005 this was simplified by making a direct transfer from Treasury to the Environment Agency in the form of flood defence grant-in-aid . The Environment Agency's total funding in 2007–08 was £1,025 million, an increase of £23 million on 2006–07. Of that total, £629 million (61 per cent)
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