24-Jul-2006 - The Environment
Agency is inviting members of the public to comment
on a new strategy to manage water abstraction
on rivers and streams in West Dorset.
A consultation document for
the West Dorset Streams has been developed by
the Environment Agency with its partners in the
community as part of the Catchment Abstraction
Management Strategy (CAMS) programme.
With demands on river water
and groundwater increasing, the Environment Agency
is taking a lead in looking at the way we use
water and how it affects the natural environment.
This latest CAMS document covers
an area of approximately 390 square kilometres
stretching along the coast from Charmouth to Osmington.
The rivers included in the strategy are the Char,
Brit, Asker, Bride and Wey.
The CAMS looks how much water
is abstracted from local rivers and groundwater
for various uses including agriculture, industry
and private use. It also examines possible impacts
of abstraction on wildlife, water quality and
fisheries.
‘This is a chance for the public
to have their say on how they feel water resources
in West Dorset Streams should be managed in the
future. We need to find a sustainable way to manage
these rivers that will balance the needs of the
environment and those of abstractors,’ said Fran
Walker for the Environment Agency.
‘The aim of the consultation
document is to produce a shared strategy between
us, our professional partners and the general
public. Therefore we need the views and knowledge
of local people.’
The consultation document has
been developed by the Environment Agency and a
group of stakeholders including local anglers,
farmers, Wessex Water, and Dorset Wildlife Trust.
The CAMS consultation document is now available
on this website. Copies are also available from
Frances Walker, Environment Agency, Rivers House,
Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road,
Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8ST. Tel: 08708
506 506 or email swessex.cams@environment-agency.gov.uk.
The closing date for comments is October 31, 2006.
Tricia Cassel-Gerard
