The Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) has resigned with immediate effect from the Love Windermere partnership – a collaboration aimed at bringing about a healthier future for the iconic lake and the surrounding area.
The FBA explained: “Over 18 months ago, the FBA joined the Love Windermere Partnership with the ambition of helping to drive significant environmental and ecological improvements in the Leven catchment. The FBA no longer feels the partnership is delivering at the pace and with the focus required to bring lasting improvements to the ecology of Windermere.
“We also acknowledge concerns regarding the content of the recent BBC Panorama documentary ‘The Water Pollution Cover-Up’ (featuring Cunsey Beck) into the conduct and professional integrity of UK water companies and regulators. The FBA shares some of the concerns raised in the Panorama programme, and would support changes in the way water company checks are carried out at wastewater sites.”
The FBA acknowledged the good work of some of the Love Windermere partners, but said “resigning from the partnership will free up our capacity to re-focus on our mission of delivering and disseminating action focused, independent science”. It remains involved with a number of other collaborative projects on Windermere with academic, NGO and citizen science networks.
The Love Windermere partners are: the Environment Agency, United Utilities, Lake District National Park, Lake District Foundation, National Trust, South Cumbria Rivers Trust, NFU, Westmoreland and Furness Council and the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.
Local activist, Matt Staniek, commented: “This is a very bold and brave move by the FBA. The focus of the Love Windermere partnership is one largely directed by a failing regulator and a water company that is profiting from pollution. We need leadership who’s [sic] primary focus is to protect Windermere for future generations. This move by the FBA is that kind of decisive action.”
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