Written question asked by Lord Dykes (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Davies of Oldham (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 January 2010.

Water Management

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what initiatives they plan for public responses to the European Union Water Framework Directive by the end of 2009.

Answer: The Environment Agency is the competent authority for the water framework directive in England and Wales. It has worked with a wide range of interested parties in the river basin management process to ensure the delivery of an improved water environment. Three formal consultations have been held in the river basin planning process. These were in December 2006, July 2007, and December 2008. The Environment Agency has also set up liaison panels for each river basin district and national panels for England and Wales. The panels provide a forum for codeliverers and stakeholders, including environmental groups and riparian owners, to discuss and influence the development of the river basin management plans and assist with implementation. Delivery of the plans will require the ongoing involvement of a range of groups. The Environment Agency will investigate new ways of working with these groups to ensure that the water environment is improved.

Secondary information