ENVIRONMENT AGENCY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE COSTAL AND MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Regulator

—    Competent Authority for the EC Water Framework Directive (including transitional and coastal waters);

—    Effluent discharge permitting and compliance monitoring, under the Water Resources Act 1991, Environmental Protection Act 1990, and Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 (out to three nautical miles);

—    Prosecution for pollution incidents in controlled waters under the Water Resources Act 1991 (out to three nautical miles);

—    Consenting authority for dredging activities in coastal waters under regional Land Drainage Byelaws;

—    Regulation of fishing for salmon, migratory trout and eels to three nautical miles under the Environment Act 1995;

—    Sea Fisheries powers (out to six nautical miles) in a number of transitional waters (estuaries);

—    Competent and Relevant Authority under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations 1994;

—    Competent Authority for the Bathing and Shellfish Waters Directives; and

—    Competent Authority for the Dangerous Substances Directive.

—    Flood Risk Management, Water Resources Act 1991;

—    Regulation of coastal and some offshore installations for radioactivity (Radioactive Substances Act, 1993) and monitoring of sediments, seaweeds and air for radioactivity in the environment.

Monitoring and management

—    Coastal and tidal flood risk management and shoreline monitoring;

—    Flood forecasting and warning for sea and tidal flooding in England and Wales;

—    Navigation—eg Rye Harbour (where we have a port authority role); Dee Conservancy;

—    Monitoring, assessment and reporting for EC Directives and other international obligations (eg the National Marine Monitoring Programme), including research and Development of marine monitoring and assessment techniques; and

—    Under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, lead partner role for coastal saltmarsh and mudflats, (and contacts for many other BAP habitats and species); and

—    Emergency Planning, eg Bristol Channel Counter Pollution Association Group;

—    Under Defra's new strategy called "Making Space for Water" it is proposed to give the Environment Agency a strategic overview for all flood and erosion risk management on the coast of England. Under this proposal we will acquire the same powers as a Coastal Authority under the Coast Protection Act 1949.

Advisor

—    Planning and development consultations; and

—    Ports sector—advisory role on management.

—    Joint Agency and Government Working Groups (eg National Marine Monitoring Programme (NMMP), Review of Marine Nature Conservation).

Promotional

—    Recreational activities associated with coastal waters.