Environment Agency

**Who we are** The Environment Agency was established in 1996 to protect and improve the environment. We have over 12,000 employees. Our head office is in Bristol and we have another office in London. We have offices across England, divided into 14 areas listed below. **North** North East Cumbria and Lancashire Yorkshire Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire **West** Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire East Midlands West Midlands Wessex Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly **South East** East Anglia Thames Hertfordshire and North London Kent, South London and East Sussex Solent and South Downs **Responsibilities** Within England we are responsible for: - regulating major industry and waste - treatment of contaminated land - water quality and resources - fisheries - inland river, estuary and harbour navigations - conservation and ecology We are also responsible for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea. Lead local flood authorities (LLFAs) are responsible for managing the risk of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourses and lead on community recovery. More detail about [who is responsible for managing flood risks](https://www.gov.uk/flood-risk-management-information-for-flood-risk-management-authorities-asset-owners-and-local-authorities#managing-flood-risks-who-is-responsible). **Priorities** Our priorities are to: - work with businesses and other organisations to manage the use of resources - increase the resilience of people, property and businesses to the risks of flooding and coastal erosion - protect and improving water, land and biodiversity - improve the way we work as a regulator to protect people and the environment and support sustainable growth **What we do** The Environment Agency works to create better places for people and wildlife, and supports sustainable development. EA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the [Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs), supported by [1 public body](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations#environment-agency).