The CLA has responded to the Environment Agency’s proposals to review how water abstraction fees are charged.

The CLA supports the Environment Agency’s (EA) wish to implement a more cost reflective charging system. However, there are a number of issues the EA needs to address if it is to implement the proposed changes. The proposals hand the EA considerable powers to raise charges across the board and the consultation does not provide a full explanation of how the charges have been determined. The vagueness around the proposals will mean license applicants and holders will struggle to understand what they are paying for and how it has been decided. Therefore the CLA has made it clear that before any changes are implemented, the EA must provide a full justification for the proposed charges.