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<p>The Government recognises the environmental and cultural importance of this rare
river habitat. We will study the WWF’s report and consider carefully any recommendations
it contains.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Chalk rivers are well represented in both
the national and European designated site network, which aims to protect sites of
high conservation value. Action is underway on the majority of these sites to address
pressures such as physical modification, effluent, diffuse pollution and abstraction.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>A strategic programme of physical habitat restoration is underway
on these rivers (including the 11 chalk river Sites of Special Scientific Interest
that need restoration). Led jointly by Natural England and the Environment Agency,
it involves a range of statutory and voluntary sector partners. Some 70 kilometres
of chalk stream have been improved since 2011.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Defra
has provided funding to support these activities. A new catchment based approach to
support river basin management planning is strengthening local engagement and helping
the Environment Agency to better understand and respond to pressures on the water
environment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Water companies are investing £3.4 billion
between 2010 and 2015 to support the achievement of Water Framework Directive environmental
objectives. This has contributed to substantial reductions in phosphate pollution,
to which chalk streams are particularly sensitive, and additional investment is proposed
to secure further improvements. Water companies are also engaged in research to overcome
technical limitations on phosphorus reduction.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Changes
have been made to 44 abstraction licences affecting chalk streams. The Water Act 2014
will enable the Environment Agency to make further progress in preventing unsustainable
abstraction. The Government is also putting in place a balanced package of measures
to further tackle agricultural pollution<ins class="ministerial">. </ins></p><p><ins
class="ministerial">The benefits of these actions are likely to take some time to
be reflected in reported water body status because the environment can take a considerable
time to recover once pressures have been reduced.</ins></p><p> </p><p> </p>
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