jon.rattenbury@environment-agency.gov.uk Principal Officer Health & Industry
clare.moakes@environment-agency.gov.uk
gitty.ankers@environment-agency.gov.uk
tessa.bowering@environment-agency.gov.uk

The environment of the South West is one of the richest in the UK, with over 60% of the UK's Heritage Coast, almost half the UK's designated bathing waters, and high proportions of the UK's rarest and most endangered habitats (for instance, 57% of the UK's flower rich meadows). Five million people live in the region and over 15 million visitors are drawn here annually by its natural, built and cultural heritage. So the region's environment is vital not just for its own sake, but because of the contribution it makes to the economy and overall quality of life in the South West.

Key issues for the Agency here include:
- reducing the risk of flooding to people and property,
- improving the cleanliness of coastal waters,
- decreasing the amounts of waste produced and disposed of to landfill,
- maximising the environmental benefits of agriculture, for natural resources and wildlife,
- minimising the risk to public health and the environment from nuclear activities.

We often work in partnership with others, to tackle these and other issues - our contribution to the Agency's vision of a healthy, rich and diverse environment for present and future generations.