Guidance: Low risk impounding activities: RPS 302
Summary
The Environment Agency has updated its regulatory position statement for low risk impounding activities (RPS 302), clarifying the activities covered and revising conditions to make them more risk-based. The update also introduces a new notification requirement for three of the low-risk activities and adds a webform for notifying the Agency.
Why it matters
Surveyors involved in river, drainage, restoration or natural flood risk projects should note that the RPS affects when an impounding licence is still required and when the Environment Agency is unlikely to take enforcement action. It is relevant where site assessments, planning advice or due diligence touch on watercourse structures, habitat restoration or flood risk interventions.
Key points
- RPS 302 concerns low risk impounding activities and the Environment Agency’s enforcement position.
- The RPS does not remove the legal requirement to hold and comply with an impounding licence.
- Three low-risk activities now require notification to the Environment Agency via a new webform.
- The guidance has been clarified to better define covered activities and conditions.
- New activities include habitat restoration, nature-based solutions, natural flood risk management and removal of larger weirs and structures.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
