Lord Smith has said that urgent action is needed to protect England's most famous lakes from threats such as climate change and pollution
Environment Agency sets out blueprint to breathe new life into our iconic lakes
England’s most famous lakes such as Windermere and Grasmere are facing serious threats from climate change, non-native species and pollution from farming and sewage, and need urgent action to protect and restore them for future generations, said Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency.
He announced that the Environment Agency is undertaking an assessment of around 730 of the most important lakes across England and Wales that will need to meet high standards under the Water Framework Directive. The organisation is also taking action to revive the life and health of our lakes.
Speaking today (Tuesday) at a conference, ‘Lakes for Living, Lakes for Life’, Lord Smith stressed the important and unique role that lakes play within the natural environment, but highlighted the poor health of some of our best known waters.
Many lakes are under pressure from poor water quality which can be down to pollution from pesticides and fertilisers from farming, and sewage. Changing weather patterns resulting from climate change will bring challenges with drier summers and wetter winters. Invasive species such as Pigmyweed are also driving out native species in and around lakes.
The conference, taking place on the shores of Lake Windermere - the largest lake in England and Wales - brings together experts from across the globe to discuss and agree plans to protect and restore lakes. The area attracts eight million tourists each year and provided the inspiration for some of our most famous poets and writers such as Wordsworth, Coleridge and Ruskin. Despite being picturesque, Windermere faces water quality issues which are having a serious impact on life below the water’s surface.
However it and other lakes face serious environmental challenges including:
· Impacts of pollution from farming and sewage - pesticides and fertilisers from farming in the Lake District are contributing to regular blue-green algal blooms which prevent people from going into the water.
· Protecting fish and other rare wildlife in the lakes - the vendace, a rare fish species that has survived in the Lake District since the ice age, were recently near extinction in Bassenthwaite Lake. They have been rescued and transferred to Scottish lochs to ensure their survival.
· The threat from the invasion of introduced species - the New Zealand Pigmyweed imported in 1911 has escaped from garden ponds into the lakes like Windermere and is out-competing many native species. The invasive weed smothers other plants and tackling it requires chemical control.
· Impacts of climate change - with climate change forecast to bring more intense storms this creates the potential for flooding, soil and pollution washed off land into lakes, and even potential for landslides.
Also this week, an historic step forward will see Cumbria’s Lake Windermere being twinned with the lake of the same name in Canada. Jerry Taft, Mayor of Invermere, British Columbia, Canada, will be signing the Windermere Partnership agreement together with the Environment Agency and Lake District National Park. Under the new alliance, the groups from the two countries will draw on each others’ expertise and ideas sharing both scientific information and cultural heritage.
Tricia Henton, Director of Environment and Business at the Environment Agency, said:
"Whilst water quality in our rivers has improved dramatically over the past 20 years, lakes have faced different, more complex environmental challenges.
"They are an important part of our environment and every bit as important as our rivers. They are invaluable to tourism. That’s why the Environment Agency and its partners are setting out a blueprint to bring life back to our lakes, creating a better environment for people and wildlife."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
· ‘Lakes for Living, Lakes for Life’ - jointly hosted by the Environment Agency and the Lake District National Park - takes place between 18-21 May 2009 at the Low Wood Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere. The conference has been made possible thanks to significant support from United Utilities and the North West Regional Development Agency. Visit www.lakesforliving.com <http://www.lakesforliving.com> for more information.
· The Environment Agency is asking the public to give their views on plans to improve waters including rivers and lakes across England and Wales. To participate in the consultation, which closes on 22 June 2009, visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd <http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd>.
· Lord Chris Smith, Chairman of the Environment Agency, Jerry Taft, Mayor of Invermere, and Richard Leafe, Chief Executive Lake District National Park are available for interview on request through the Press Office.
· Images available on request from the Press Office.
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