§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures her Department is taking to encourage farmers to(a) reduce run-off and (b) store floodwaters on their land. [99784]
§ Mr. MorleyThe effects of land use on flood run-off, particularly at catchment scales, are not well understood and Defra has commissioned a research project to review knowledge in this area and develop a clearly targeted programme of further research, which started in January 2003.
This Department is supporting the introduction of Catchment Flood Management Plans (CFMPs) which the Environment Agency is planning to deliver for the whole of England and Wales over the next five to six years. These will consider the impact of future development, land use changes and climate change and 1295W will explore the use of wetlands, washlands and flood storage areas in reducing flood risk to local communities.
The government is currently piloting an Entry Level Scheme aimed at paying farmers for a range of simple, environmentally beneficial management measures across wide areas of the countryside. Due largely to the scientific uncertainties mentioned above, these pilots do not contain measures specifically intended to reduce run-off or to store floodwaters. The main Entry Level Scheme is due to be introduced in 2005, subject to the success of the pilot. It is possible that some water management measures may be included at that stage if they can be scientifically justified and shown to be cost-effective. It will however be important to ensure that they do not result in incidental damage to other environmental interests, such as archaeology.
Many current flood alleviation schemes to reduce flood impact in urban areas rely on flood water storage on farm land. There is no automatic right to payment where land is naturally at risk of flooding and this risk will be reflected in the market price of the land and its pattern of use. Where changes to the flooding regime are made to benefit other areas then landowners/occupiers are entitled to compensation if they suffer any additional loss.
§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to transfer responsibility for critical ordinary water courses from internal drainage boards and local authorities to the Environment Agency. [99783]
§ Mr. MorleyA transfer of responsibility for critical ordinary watercourses from internal drainage boards and local authorities to the Environment Agency was one proposal considered during the recent review of the administrative and funding arrangements for flood and coastal defence. I am considering the conclusions of that review and will make an announcement as soon as possible.
§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Environment Agency is taking to prevent flooding in Marlow and Medmenham. [101371]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 6 March 2003]: Following the flooding in January, the Environment Agency will be undertaking pre-feasibility studies to identify options for the alleviation of flooding in both Marlow and Medmenham. The Environment Agency have had discussions with residents of Medmenham at a public meeting and has met with Wycombe District Council to determine a joint approach for reducing flood risk in the area.
If the pre-feasibility study identifies a technically, environmentally sustainable and economically viable solution for the flood risk area then a capital scheme may be initiated. As well as the provision of flood defences, options for reducing flood risk may also include improved maintenance regimes by riparian owners, local authorities or the Agency and/or an improved flood warning service.
§ Mr. Helen ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment. Food and Rural Affairs how much of the additional funding for capital projects and studies for1296W flood and coastal defence in 2003–04, announced on 12 February will be spent on (a) inland wet washland storage and (b) managed realignment on the coast. [100618]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 4 March 2003]: Defra will grant aid capital projects and related studies that meet specified economic, technical and environmental criteria and achieve the threshold score of 22 for 03–04 under the Department's prioritisation system. Decisions regarding which flood and coastal defence projects to promote, their timing and appropriate solutions are matters for the operating authorities—the Environment Agency (EA), local authorities and (in areas with special drainage needs) internal drainage boards. It is therefore not possible to provide the information requested.