Ben
Ashmore - 23-Jul-2008 - The fish that habitat
the River Lathkill, Derbyshire are the lucky
residents of one of the most beautiful and
popular areas of the Peak District National
Park. However, underneath this untouched
landscape lies a hidden danger that every
summer threatens to leave the fish who live
in one area of the Lathkill without a home
and in danger of death.
Underneath the Over
Haddon area of the Lathkill lies dormant
mines which were once the site of lead mining
in the nineteenth century. During the summer
months the lack of rainfall means that water
seeps through the river base and into underground
mines. The fish that are spawned in this
area become trapped and can suffocate as
the river sinks below the bed.
Thankfully, the Environment
Agency Fisheries team are at the rescue
to save the fish. Every year the team take
to the River Lathkill and safely catch the
fish in the at risk area. They then transport
the fish to an area of the river past the
underground mines where they can swim in
the warm summer waters peacefully.
The first stage of the
rescue occurred on 12 June, with 260 rescued.
The second stage is today (Wednesday 23
July) with a further 1,000 fish expected
to be rescued and re-located.
Environment Manager
Greg Broughton said: “Over the past six
years we have saved more and more fish.
As a result, more fish are spawning in this
area of the Lathkill than ever before. This
is testament to the hard work the Environment
Agency is doing to protect the fish and
ensure the public can continue to enjoy
this picturesque area of Derbyshire.”
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Environment Agency and
Tewkesbury Borough Council urge people to
adapt to climate change
Ben Ashmore - 23-Jul-2008
- The Environment Agency and Tewkesbury
Borough Council are inviting people from
the borough to join them and partners at
the George Watson Memorial Hall, Barton
Street, Tewkesbury, between 12 noon and
5pm on Wednesday 30th July 2008 to learn
more about climate change and how they can
adapt to it.
The Environment Agency
and Tewkesbury Borough Council will be giving
two 30 minute presentations at 1.00pm and
3.30pm and are inviting people to come and
find out what climate change means to them.
People can drop in to
talk to representatives from the National
Flood Forum, Vision 21, SWEA (Severn Wye
Energy Agency) Tewkesbury Borough Council
and the Environment Agency. There will be
lots of information about the science behind
climate change and practical advice on how
to adapt.
People can also sign
up to World Environment Day and receive
a FREE jute bag, find out how to save energy
in the home, learn about bio-fuels and receive
FREE energy saving lightbulbs and water
saving devices for the toilet. There will
be information on grants available throughout
Gloucestershire for renewable energy and
an opportunity to sign up to receive flood
warnings, receive FREE flood packs and view
a range of flood protection products. (Please
note – the flood products on display are
not endorsed by the Environment Agency.)
Julie Fay, Climate Change
Officer at the Environment Agency says “It
is important that people understand climate
change and how to adapt to it. Climate change
will bring with it more extreme weather
events like the 2007 summer floods, the
2004-2006 drought and the 2003 heatwave,
which have already demonstrated how climatic
events can have a major impact on households,
businesses and critical infrastructure.
We all need to know what measures we can
take to adapt to and reduce the effects
of climate change. We hope that by bringing
some key organisations together at this
event, we can answer some of the questions
climate change raises and provide some practical
advice for residents of the Borough.”
Councillor Derek Davies
lead member for the Built Environment at
Tewkesbury Borough Council said “it is a
unique opportunity to be able to offer this
advice at a multi-agency event. If residents
have any questions regarding the forecasted
impacts of climate change then this is the
event to attend as so many experts in different
fields relating to climate change will be
there”.
For more information please contact Charlotte
Cook or Natasha Cuffley on 08708 506506
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Concerns about development
in high flood risk areas
Catherine Burbage -
23-Jul-2008 - The Environment Agency is
pleased that the Secretary of State for
Communities and Local Government (Hazel
Blears) included in her proposed modifications,
published on Tuesday 22 July, the recommendation
that the Western Growth Corridor Site is
removed from the Regional Spatial Strategy.
The strategy, produced by the East Midlands
Regional Assembly, provides a blueprint
on how Lincolnshire and the Region is to
be developed up to 2026.
As the Government’s
expert in flood risk management, the Environment
Agency has advised that development should
avoid land where there is a high risk of
flooding. For the Western Growth Corridor
Site, the Environment Agency has consistently
objected to proposals to build 4500 homes
(a number the developer has now increased
to 5030) where over 80% of the site is at
long term significant risk of flooding.
The proposed modifications
also include reduced housing targets for
the Lincolnshire coast pending the results
of a strategic study, in which the Environment
Agency is a key partner.
Environment Agency Area
Manager, Andy Baxendale said: ‘We’re pleased
that our concerns about development along
the Lincolnshire Coast have been recognised.
This has led to reduced housing targets
pending the results of the strategic study.
‘Although we are satisfied
that the Western Growth Corridor Site has
been removed from the Regional Spatial Strategy,
we will continue to object to the development
of the site if it is progressed through
the planning process.
‘The vital growth needed
by the City of Lincoln can be located elsewhere
in the city. We will continue to work with
local communities to identify low flood
risk alternative development sites and we
will continue to object to proposed development
in high flood risk areas.
’From the issue of the
proposed modifications yesterday, there
is now a 12 week consultation period during
which the Environment Agency and other interested
bodies will be responding to the proposals
in detail. RSS8 is due to be finalised in
the autumn.
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Credit crunch no excuse
to stop focusing on environment
National Press Office
- 23-Jul-2008 - he past decade has seen
significant improvements in environmental
performance by many businesses in England
and Wales. But there are still lots of companies
that need to do more - and what progress
has been made should not stop just because
of a slowdown in the economy, the Environment
Agency warned today.
Unveiling the Environment
Agency’s annual Spotlight report on the
environmental performance of business –
which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary
- Chief Executive Paul Leinster said: “This
year’s findings show that we have been getting
on with our job. Regulation has reduced
the impact of industry’s activities on people
and the environment.
“However, looking after
the environment is a shared responsibility.
Now we need to see more companies striving
to do their bit by becoming greener, leaner
and ready for the future.
“Business leaders may
be concerned about the tough times ahead.
But, a difficult economic period is not
an excuse for poor environmental performance.
As Spotlight demonstrates, progress can
be made without stifling growth. That’s
because addressing environmental issues
can protect a company’s bottom line.
“Better energy efficiency
alone could save UK businesses as much £1.8
billion, while cutting the amount of waste
produced could save them up to £3
billion in operating costs. But it is not
just about saving money. There are growth
opportunities open to companies too. The
environmental goods and services markets
in the UK, for example, will be worth £34
billion by 2010.”
Among the key findings
of Spotlight on business: 10 years of improving
the environment are:
Serious industrial pollution
incidents in 2007 were the lowest since
current records began in 2000, down 884
to 462
31 per cent of sites are now classified
as well managed
Businesses in sectors the Environment Agency
has always regulated have reduced waste
by about 14 per cent since 1998 - keeping
1.5 million tonnes of waste out of the waste
chain.
But Spotlight also shows that:
More than a third of
sites are now rated as being poorly managed
Illegal waste sites remain a problem – for
legitimate waste management businesses,
the environment and for the people living
nearby. Last year, the Environment Agency
closed 277 illegal waste sites in England
and Wales
More individuals and companies are being
prosecuted for environmental offences than
ever before. As a result of Environment
Agency prosecutions in 2007, 284 companies
were fined - compared to 243 in 2000.
Paul Leinster added: “Ten years ago when
we published our first Spotlight report
it was clear that businesses needed to clean
up their act. In turn, we needed to develop
a more effective, risk-based approach to
regulation – making it easier for companies
that take the environment seriously to get
on with their work and tougher for those
that flout the law.
“We have kept our side
of the bargain and have cut through red
tape. Changes we have made will save businesses
about £25 million a year in administration
costs by 2010. But if boardrooms want us
to take a lighter touch we need to see further
improvements from businesses. More companies
need to look at their environmental impact
as part of their overall corporate performance
and more need to provide environmental information
to decision makers and the public.
“Of the 550 FTSE all-share
companies we looked at in the process of
compiling this year’s Spotlight, only 42
per cent provided some form of environmental
information. Of these just 15 per cent made
a quantified disclosure in accordance with
UK Government guidelines.”
To read or download
a copy of Spotlight on business: 10 years
of improving the environment visit the link
on the left.
