Consultations on draft updates to the river basin management plans and draft flood risk management plans are now open for comment.

Dear partners and colleagues
The Environment Agency is seeking your views on proposals to improve the water environment and protect communities from flood risk in England.

We would like your input on updates to river basin management plans and flood risk management plans. Once agreed, these plans will shape decisions, direct investment and action and deliver significant benefits for society and the environment.

River basin management plans set out long term objectives for the quality of the water environment. They identify the condition of rivers, lakes and coastal waters and the pressures on them. The plans provide evidence that will help those with an interest in the water environment to agree where improvements can be made.

Flood risk management plans describe the risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water, groundwater and reservoirs. They set out how the Environment Agency, local councils and water companies will work together, with communities, to manage flood risk.

• You can respond to the river basin management plan consultations at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/update-to-the-draft-river-basin-management-plans

• You can respond to the flood risk management plan consultations at: www.gov.uk/government/consultations/draft-flood-risk-management-plans

These links will also explain how to respond to consultations in river basin districts which cross borders with Scotland and Wales.

The formal closing date for the flood risk management plan consultation is 31 January 2015, while the river basin management plan consultations will run for six months, ending on 10 April 2015.

The Environment Agency is carrying out a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) of each plan. The SEA identifies the significant effects that would be associated with implementing the plans.

We welcome your comments online or in writing. We will also be […]