The Evolution of
River
Basin Management in England & Wales
FR/G0003
November 2006
This brief overview of the historical development of river basin management in England and Wales covers the evolution of the present institutional arrangements and how the inherited water quality has changed over the period 1850 to date.
Three overlapping phases of development are suggested that
relate to the political, social and economic imperatives of the time; namely
the:
The political and environmental priorities are described for each phase. These priorities provide an understanding of how the legislation and management of our rivers evolved. The history of the River Tame in and around Birmingham is used as an example of what happened at the local government level.