Dave Ferguson - 15-Jan-2007 - The Environment Agency has kicked off the first consultation of a programme to identify what needs to be done to protect and improve rivers, lakes and groundwater to meet new European guidelines.

River Basin Planning: Working Together is the first step in the consultative process of developing a River Basin Management Plan across the Thames region, one of the ten River Basin Districts across England and Wales. These plans will set out new and better ways in which the Environment Agency and others will work towards achieving the ecological standards defined in the Water Framework Directive by 2015. A River Basin District is an area of land and associated rivers, groundwater and coastal waters.

Working Together will help you understand how river basin planning could work across the Thames region and how and when you can get involved. The consultation has been put together by the Environment Agency, working with the local River Basin District liaison panel. The liaison panel represents the main sectors involved in river basin planning, such as water companies, conservation groups and local authorities. Panel members can be found via the Environment Agency website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd.

The Thames River Basin District covers an area of 16,133 square kilometres and encompasses the River Thames and its tributaries from its source in Gloucestershire through London to the North Sea. The district includes the rural areas of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and parts of Kent and Essex, as well as heavily urbanised areas, such as Reading, Slough, Luton, London and the Medway towns.

The non-tidal Thames is around 235 km long and passes through 44 picturesque locks. This famous river is home to important wildlife habitats. Mute swans, herons and kingfishers are abundant along the stretch and the river hosts a number of important herb-rich meadows found in the floodplains.

Myles Thomas, Water Framework Directive Programme Manager for the Thames, said the Working Together consultation explained the steps the Environment Agency, along with other organisations, would take to draw up plans to improve the water environment throughout the Thames area.

He said: "There has been very good progress in recent years in improving the health of our water environment in this area. Even so, if pressures such as pollution and unsustainable water use are not managed properly in the future, there is a risk that many rivers, lakes and groundwater sites will not meet the environment standards called for by the Water Framework Directive.

"What the Water Framework Directive allows us to do is think about our water environment as a whole. In the past we’ve often worked on separate plans for addressing different environmental issues. With river basin planning, we now have the opportunity to improve, protect and manage our water environment in a more co-ordinated way.

"There is an abundance of wildlife habitats across the Thames river basin, including important freshwater fisheries such as the River Kennet, parts of which are designated as sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs). It is vital that we work together to balance these different needs and uses of the water in the area to create a healthier river basin district.

"This is a challenge, not just for the Thames area but across the country, and there is still a long way to go. But the first stage showing a timetable and how we intend to develop these plans - and the involvement of others with an interest in the water environment - is important, if we are to work together to improve the environment we live in."

For the first time the Environment Agency is using electronic consultations, where people can view other submissions before contributing their own comments online. The consultation and responses can be viewed via the Environment Agency website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd. The Working Together consultation closes on 22 June 2007.

Alternatively, representations can be made via email to thamesrbd@environment-agency.gov.uk, or in writing to: Lydia Wyeth, Environment Agency, Kings Meadow House, Kings Meadow Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8DQ. Copies of the ‘Working Together’ publications are also available on our web site or by contacting Lydia Wyeth at the Reading address.

Details of the Thames River Basin District and Liaison Panel memberships are available on the Environment Agency’s web site at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd or via phone, on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8-6).

The second stage of consultation, due out in late 2007 will identify the significant water management issues in each River Basin District and potential measures to tackle them.

The final plans for each River Basin District will be produced by 22nd December 2009.