These Regulations contain provisions relating to the licensing of abstraction and impounding of water in England and Wales in the light of amendments made by the Water Act 2003 to the Water Resources Act 1991.
The provisions of these Regulations concern, among other things: the making of licence applications and appeals from decisions on licence applications for the abstraction or impounding of water; abstraction or impounding by the Environment Agency; enforcement notices in relation to a breach of a restriction on the abstraction or impounding of water and works notices in relation to the protection of the environment; and appeals which may be brought against enforcement, works and conservation notices. Applications shall be made to and decided on by the Environment Agency. Special provisions apply to applications regarding the abstraction or impounding in a National Park or the Broads.