Integrated river basin management in England and Wales: a policy perspective

1. There is now an irresistible momentum for a truly integrated and strategic approach to river basin management. As a consequence, the framework within which individual organizations can carry out their roles and responsibilities in a co-ordinated and sustainable way can be determined. 2. Extreme events such as floods and droughts have severe social and economic consequences, 'Traditional' engineered responses, which take little account of fluvial processes and ecosystem functioning. often exacerbate these problems and can have severe adverse consequences on the environment. 3. Bringing together a range of scientific, technical and engineering disciplines to address catchment management has many advantages. Identifying and implementing innovative solutions that benefit local communities and the environment is the only sustainable way forward for river management. 4. Public understanding of risk assessment and management is vital to the success of an integrated approach. So too is a strategic dimension to inform the town and country planning system and major investment decisions by major utilities and public bodies responsible for water supply. pollution control and flood management. 5. There are major challenges ahead for public utilities, agencies and professional bodies in terms of attracting, retaining and blending together skilled scientific, engineering and technical specialists. These skills need to be complemented by the ability to convey sophisticated information in readily understood language. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.