19/07/2005 - Yesterday
(18 July) Sir John Harman, Chairman of the
Environment Agency, took to the water to discuss
future arrangements for managing the River
Wye.
Sir John was visiting Monmouthshire to meet
local Environment Agency staff, to see the
work they do to protect and improve the area’s
environment and to meet people with an interest
in the Agency’s work.
The River Wye is very important for wildlife
and for many people who use it for recreation
or to make a living. The Environment Agency
has wide responsibilities for managing the
river - balancing the needs of wildlife, landowners,
canoeists, anglers, water users and all the
other legitimate users. Since 2002 the Agency,
assisted by the Wye Navigation Advisory Committee,
has had an additional responsibility for managing
the historic public navigation.
Sir John took to the water at Symonds Yat
for a working lunch on board the 'Kingfisher.'
He was joined by a group of people with an
interest in the future of the river, discussing
ways of managing the catchment in the future
and resolving conflicting aspirations between
different users.
Back on dry land, Sir John said:
'The discussions we’ve had have really underlined
the importance of this river to thousands
of people, and we only had to look around
us to see its beauty and its rich wildlife.'
'Next month we’re going to publish the latest
draft of the ‘Waterway Plan’ that we have
been developing with the invaluable advice
of our Advisory Committee, and invite everyone
with an interest in the Wye to let us know
what they think of it. We’re keen to hear
everyone’s views, and of any ways it can be
improved.'
'I am confident that the plan will be a great
help to ensure the Wye is managed consistently
and fairly for users of the river, whilst
protecting its environmental quality and the
wonderful wildlife.'
