The one-day seminar will be held at Newton Rigg College, near Penrith on Saturday 2 March. The Agency is urging all those who would like to attend to apply for tickets as soon as possible, as places are limited. Many of the day’s talks will centre on work being done in Cumbria, but there will be wider topics under discussion.
Environment Agency Regional Water Resources Manager, Mike Eggboro, will talk about water management challenges for this century from an Agency perspective. John Sanders, from United Utilities will discuss challenges facing his company. Then Jo Barrett and Ian Warner, from the Agency’s Water Resources team, will outline the future of managing abstraction – the taking of water from rivers and streams or the ground.
How the Agency is helping to protect Cumbria’s habitats will be discussed by Habitats Directive Officer, Mike Harrison, and Water Resources Planning Officer Jane Atkins will speak about how much water we need in our rivers. Area Flood Defence and Water Resources Manager Glyn Vaughan will discuss flood defences.
As previous Agency seminars have focused on fish and fisheries, there will be an update on local fisheries work by scientists Ben Bayliss and Andy Gowans. And Alistair Maltby from the Eden Rivers Trust will be providing news and an update from the Trust.
Environment Agency Fisheries Officer Gill Watson said: “The seminar will mainly focus on water resources issues and how these affect fish and the environment they live in. These issues are frequently raised by people with an interest in fish and fisheries. It will be a very interesting day for all those who attend.”
Tickets are free and include a buffet lunch, tea and coffee. Tickets are available to any member of the public on a first come, first served, basis by contacting Nikki Baglee at the Environment Agency’s Penrith office on 01768 866666. Entry is strictly ticket only. The day will begin at 9.00 am and finish at 3.45 pm.
