Environment Agency GP3 – Open to consultation

The Environment Agency's Groundwater Protection: Principles and Practice documents – referred to as GP3 - describe how trhe EA manage and protect groundwater now and for the future. The Environment Agency intend GP3 to be used by anyone interested in groundwater and particularly those proposing an activity which may cause groundwater impacts. The documents may also need to be used by anyone applying for an environmental permit to carry out an activity which may impact on groundwater. The Environment Agency want these documents to help customers understand the importance of groundwater and encourage them to act responsibly and improve their practices to prevent or mitigate impacts on groundwater. The Environment Agency also uses these documents internally to help make decisions.

The EA have recently revised parts 4 and 5 of GP3 and would like their customers and stakeholders comments on these revisions before they finalise them. An online consultation eill open during September/October 2011 for 12 weeks. They particularly welcome consultation responses on part 4 and the positions in it.

The EA have recently revised Part 4, which contains positions statements and information on legislation. This revision was needed to ensure it included recent changes to legislation such as those in the Groundwater Directive (2006), which are implemented through Environmental Permitting Regulations and the Floods and Water Management Act on flooding and sustainable drainage.

Whilst making these changes the EA have aimed to clarify some of the regulatory positions on key issues. A new chapter has been added on infrastructure which now contains position statements on the storage of pollutants. Part 4 is intended as a single point of contact for all stakeholders and all sectors who have an interest in activities that impact on groundwater.

There are also six new documents which comprise Part 5 of GP3. These are documents that provide detailed interpretation of legislation to provide clarity and help the EA make clear and consistent decisions when protecting groundwater.

For more information about the GP3 consultation please visit the Environment Agency web site here

www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/40741.aspx

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