The Environment Agency has welcomed the Government’s announcement of a boost in funding for its work programme for 2008/09.

“We have a lot of work to do this coming year. Flood risk management, climate change adaptation, water resources, river quality, agricultural pollution and cracking down on environmental crime are just a few of things that are on the top of our list. This funding will help us to get on with this work and really create a better place,” said Environment Agency Chief Executive Barbara Young.

“Our combination of Defra funding, charging and other income is allocated to a vast and diverse range of environmental protection projects this year. This is alongside the previously announced guaranteed increase in flood defence funding over the next three years which will see more than £1.8 billion spent on flood defences and flood risk and coastal erosion management. We have a solid foundation on which to create a better place for the people of England and Wales.”

By far the largest amount of money will be spent on flood risk management and defences, with around £679 million earmarked for investment in capital projects planned by the Environment Agency, Local Authorities and Internal Drainage Boards.

Barbara Young continued: “Extreme rainfall events such as we saw during 2007 are more likely as the effects of climate change take hold. Long-term investment  in flood risk management is essential if we are to adapt to the global warming that is already locked into the weather system. The additional funding will be used to develop flood defences and warning systems and to protect a further 145,000 houses from flooding.

“While the remainder of our budget allocation has also marginally increased, we face a number of large new duties, challenges and inflationary pressures which will need us to prioritise rigorously what we can best do to protect and enhance the environment.

“We will now take all this into consideration when finalising our Corporate Plan for 2008-11 to achieve the best balance of resources to get the best result for the environment, which will be agreed with Ministers in May this year.”

The Environment Agency’s priorities for the coming year include: Adapting to climate change – ensuring its policies, strategies and plans are climate change ‘proof’ and can protect the environment and quality of life as the impacts of climate change are felt more and more.  Implementing a new integrated permitting regime in April – this streamlines more than 40 pieces of legislation into one regime. Cracking down on environmental and waste crime – closing down cheap alternatives for disposal of waste, using intelligence-led enforcement and surveillance to catch criminals, stopping illegal activities undermining the new waste and recycling markets created.  Responding to the new development challenges of Eco Towns and new Growth points – encouraging sustainable development and ensuring that new homes are not at risk from flooding and have adequate water supply and waste infrastructure.  Actively campaigning to reduce damaging abstractions and improve water efficiency in water scarce areas as a priority  Delivering the Water Framework Directive – during 2008/09 the Agency  will publish draft River Basin  Management Plans, which will show how it intends to manage water in a more integrated way for real environmental benefit. Working with farmers to promote sustainable land use and reduce nutrient impacts from agriculture.