The Environment Agency is asking the people of West Somerset to comment on the future management of local rivers and streams.

They have until January 19, 2007 to respond to the West Somerset Streams Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy (CAMS), the latest in a series of CAMS consultation documents for North Wessex that aim to balance the demands of water users with the ecological needs of the aquatic environment.

The West Somerset Streams CAMS has been developed by the Agency in partnership with Wessex Water, Somerset Wildlife Trust, The Consumer Council for Water and local interest groups. Rivers covered by the document include the Kilve Stream, Doniford Stream, Washford River, Pill River, River Avill, Horner Water and the Hawkcombe Stream.

The CAMS process makes more information on water resources and the Environment Agency’s licensing policy available to the public. It also allows local people to put their views on how water resources in West Somerset should be managed.

‘For this to be a truly shared strategy, we need the views and input of local people to help shape the future management of this important catchment,’ said Andy Gardiner for the Environment Agency.

‘Rivers are a vital lifeline at the heart of our environment. They contribute to our water supply, provide habitats for a wide range of wildlife and are places of recreation and amenity. This CAMS consultation document sets out the choices that need to be made to balance these differing interests,’ said Councillor Anne Fraser, of the local CAMS Stakeholder Group.

The West Somerset Streams CAMS consultation document is now available on the Environment Agency website www.environment-agency.gov.uk Copies can also be obtained from Sian Hawkins, Environment Agency, Rivers House, East Quay, Bridgwater TA6 4YS. Tel 08708 506506 or email: cams.nwessex@environment-agency.gov.uk.

The Environment Agency is responsible for managing water resources in England and Wales. One of the ways of doing this is by licences for abstracting water. In March 1999, the Government decided to make a number of changes to the licensing system. Many of these changes need new legislation, but the Environment Agency is able to achieve some of them within our present powers. Foremost among these is the development of Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies (CAMS)

The Environment Agency launched the CAMS process in April 2001 and set out a six-year programme to develop a CAMS for every catchment in England and Wales.