Contaminated land regime announcement

United Kingdom

Contaminated land regime ------------------------

In a written answer to Parliament on 27 April 1999, the Government announced that the statutory contaminated land regime under Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 should come into force in England on or about 1 December 1999.

It is intended that a further draft of the supporting statutory guidance will be issued for consultation in June 1999 and that the final draft will be laid before Parliament before the summer recess. The commencement order and regulations necessary to implement Part IIA will also be made at this time.

The implementation of the regime in Scotland and Wales will be the responsibility of the relevant Secretaries of State in those jurisdictions and information on anticipated implementation dates is not currently available.

We will keep you updated on the implementation of the contaminated land regime as any further developments occur.

Water pollution regime ----------------------

The Environment Agency's new powers to serve works notices on polluters or potential polluters under Section 161A-D of the Water Resources Act 1991 came into effect on 29 April 1999 (see LawNow (http://www.cmck.com/lawnow) for further information). Equivalent legislation is not in force as yet in Scotland. We understand that this is to be considered by the new Scottish Parliament.

If you would like specific advice please call Paul Sheridan, a partner in the Environment Law Group of Cameron McKenna.