How do SMPs fit in with coastal flooding and erosion responsibilities?
The Environment Agency and maritime local authorities work together on the flood protection of low lying ground and defending the coastline form erosion by the sea. The Environment Agency has an overall supervisory duty for matters relating to flood defence. Both the Environment Agency and maritime local authorities have permissive powers to carry out sea defence works to protect low lying land from flooding by the sea. Maritime local authorities have additional permissive powers to carry out coast protection works to prevent erosion of the land by the sea. The Environment Agency and local authorities are prime partners to the SMP production, so that the policies and decisions resulting form SMP’s are fed into each organisation’s plans for its coastal frontage.
