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News and updates from Envireau Water.
Envireau Water reviews feedback from NFU / EA quarterly water liaison meeting
Envireau Water has just reviewed feedback from the NFU quarterly water resources liaison meeting held with EA on the 24th January 2012:
A number of topics were discussed:
Habitats Directive Review of Consents programme - 16 'Section 52' notices have so far been served on abstraction licence holders by EA; all in the Anglian region. Notices are served upon licences which are considered to be having a measurable detrimental impact upon a protected ecological site. 8 licence holders have objected to their notice and their cases are now being evaluated by the Minister. The other 8 have had their licences revoked with no compensation, as the compensation process is only triggered if an objection to the notice is raised.
DEFRA ‘Serious & Significant Damage’ consultation – is now expected to be published in Feb 2012. Transitional arrangements will be made prior to full enforcement coming into force.
Licensing of Trickle Irrigation & Quarry Dewatering – October 2012 remains the anticipated date for implementation. European legislation requires the UK as a member state to have a framework of abstraction control in place by December 2012. Direction has been given by Ministers that the implementation of New Authorisations (bringing trickle irrigation & quarry dewatering into the licensing regime) should be 'light touch' and wherever possible licences granted; however EU Habitat Regulation and Water Framework Directive obligations must not be compromised in doing so.
Envireau Water will review the ‘Serious & Significant Damage’ consultation when released and maintains regular contact with the Environment Agency over the implementation process for Trickle Irrigation & Quarry Dewatering licences. It is good to see that the NFU is also keeping the pressure on the regulator with the view to keeping abstractors informed.
If you have any queries or concerns about how your operation could be affected by implementation of the new regulations please give James or Tamsin a call on 01332 871882 or email us via the Contact Page.