Environment Agency

(see also the List of environmental organizations)

The Environment Agency (or Asiantaeth yr Amgylchedd) of England and Wales was created by the Environment Act 1995, along with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. It took over the roles and responsibilities of the National Rivers Authority and London Waste Regulation Authority, both of which were subsequently disbanded. In addition it became the sole licensor and regulator of waste disposal.

Goals

The stated mission of the newly created agency was "to protect or enhance the environment, taken as a whole" so as to promote "the objective of achieving sustainable development" (taken from the Environment Act 1995, section 4).

Responsibilities

Water

The agency is the main body responsible for creating and maintaining flood defenses as well as management of the inland water systems (lakes, rivers, canals etc) and coastal areas. Control of water levels is usually by systems of sluices, weirs and locks. The agency issues regular flood warnings and maintains maps of areas liable to flooding.

Licenses for boats travelling on inland waterways are issued by the agency as are fishing licenses and permission to take (abstract) and discharge water.

Waste licensing

The agency is the licensing authority for all waste management sites such as landfill and incineration facilities, but also grants licenses for handling special waste such as radioactive, chemical or medical materials, and the treatment of sewage.

Pollution control

Under the provisions of a series of acts of parliament the agency is the main prosecutor of polluters. It monitors waste management sites and water treatment plants and also samples water quality in adjacent water courses. Individuals or companies found to have caused pollution can have waste handling licenses revoked and be prosectued, whether the offense is just fly tipping or involves hazardous waste.

Income

The agency is funded in part from the UK government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the National Assembly of Wales. Additional money is raised from the issuing of licenses and permits such as abstraction licences, waste handling licences, navigation rights and even fishing permits.

Money for maintenance and improvement of flood defenses comes from local authorities in the areas being defended.

Organisational Management

The Environment Agency is overseen by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (currently Margaret Beckett), but has its own chairman, chief executive and board of directors. Past chairmen are

• Sir John Harman (2000- )
• Lord de Ramsey (1995-2000)

and past chief executives:

• Baroness Young (2000- )
• Professor Ed Gallagher (1995-2000)