Devon looks to strengthen river protections in response to environmental decline

Devon County Council has restated its commitment to protecting the county’s rivers, which it says are central to local ecology, heritage and community wellbeing.

Councillors met last week to discuss recommendations from the Council’s Cabinet in response to a Notice of Motion from Councillor Jess Bailey (Independent, Otter Valley). 

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The motion called for the Council to formally recognise the “intrinsic rights” of Devon’s rivers, and highlighted the importance of waterways such as the Otter, Axe, Tamar, Dart, Exe and Torridge, which support wildlife, farming, local businesses and recreation. 

It also raised concerns about growing pressures including pollution, over-abstraction, habitat loss and climate change.

Councillor Bailey asked the Council to consider principles from the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Rivers, including the right of rivers to flow naturally, avoid pollution and support biodiversity.

After debate at Full Council, a majority of councillors voted to support recommendations to:

• Acknowledge the ongoing decline in river conditions across Devon and its impact on communities, the environment and local economies
• Encourage joint work between key organisations, including South West Water, the Environment Agency, landowners and riparian owners, and press central government for stronger action
• Note the work of the new water quality portfolio, which is reviewing evidence and practices to help coordinate efforts to improve river health

Councillor Bailey said:

“We talk about rivers as objects to be managed rather than living systems that sustain our health, our economy and our identity as a county.

“Rights of rivers is not a symbolic gesture, it’s a practical framework used elsewhere in the UK and internationally to shift decision making from what can we get away with to what is our duty of care.

“It means recognising a river’s right to flow, to be free from pollution, to support biodiversity and to be restored when damaged.

“By reinstating these rights we give clarity to regulators, utilities and land managers that in Devon, the baseline is protection against, not toleration of, ongoing decline.”

She added that recognising these rights “strengthens accountability”, supports community action and places Devon “at the forefront of responsible environmental leadership”.

Councillor Paul Arnott, the Council’s Cabinet lead on water quality, said:

“Devon County Council will be unveiling a new pan-Devon water report in the new year, and is planning a major conference of all stakeholders next summer. 

“I welcome this motion as part of our progressive and inclusive approach to the future of Devon’s water.”