Environment Agency

The Environment Agency was created by the Environment Act 1995, and came into existence on 1 April 1996. It had responsibility for the whole of England and Wales. It took over the roles and responsibilities of the National Rivers Authority (NRA), Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Pollution (HMIP) and the waste regulation authorities in England and Wales. All of the predecessor bodies were disbanded and the local authorities relinquished their waste regulatory role. It describes its role "to create better places for people and wildlife, and support sustainable development". Its North Area covers Cumbria.

Environment Agency: North West Region, North Area Flood Defence Advisory Committee minutes