Water Resources Act 1991

Section 210.

SCHEDULE 25 E+W BYELAW - MAKING POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY

Byelaws for regulating use of inland waters E+W

1 (1) Subject to the following provisions of this paragraph but without prejudice to the powers conferred by the following provisions of this Schedule, where it appears to the [F1 Agency] to be necessary or expedient to do so for the purposes of any of the functions specified in [F2 sub-paragraphs (i), (iii) and (v) of section 2(1)(a) of the 1995 Act], the [F1 Agency] may make byelaws— E+W

(a) prohibiting such inland waters as may be specified in the byelaws from being used for boating (whether with mechanically propelled boats or otherwise), swimming or other recreational purposes; or

(b) regulating the way in which any inland waters so specified may be used for any of those purposes.

(2) Byelaws made by the [F1 Agency] under this paragraph shall not apply to—

(a) any tidal waters or any discrete waters;

(b) any inland waters in relation to which functions are exercisable by a navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority other than the [F1 Agency]; or

(c) any reservoir belonging to, and operated by, a water undertaker.

(3) Byelaws made in respect of any inland waters by virtue of this paragraph may—

(a) include provision prohibiting the use of the inland waters by boats which are not for the time being registered with the [F1 Agency] in such manner as the byelaws may provide; and

(b) authorise the [F1 Agency] to make reasonable charges in respect of the registration of boats in pursuance of the byelaws.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Sch 25 para. 1 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F2 Words in Sch. 25 para. 1(1) substituted (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120(1), Sch. 22 para. 190 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Sch. 25 para. 1 applied (with modifications) (15.8.2002) by S.I. 2002/1998, arts. 4, 32 (with art. 33)

Byelaws for regulating the use of navigable waters etc. E+W

2 (1) The [F3 Agency] shall have power to make such byelaws as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (3) below with respect to any inland waters in relation to which— E+W

(a) there is a public right of navigation; and

(b) the condition specified in sub-paragraph (2) below is satisfied,

and with respect to any land associated with such waters.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph the condition mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above is satisfied in relation to any waters if navigation in those waters—

(a) is not for the time being subject to the control of any navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority; or

(b) is subject to the control of such a navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority as is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph by reason of its appearing to the Secretary of State to be unable for the time being to carry out its functions.

(3) The byelaws referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above in relation to any inland waters or to any land associated with any such waters are byelaws for any of the following purposes, that is to say—

(a) the preservation of order in or on any such waters or land;

(b) the prevention of damage to anything in or on any such waters or land or to any such land;

(c) securing that persons resorting to any such waters or land so behave as to avoid undue interference with the enjoyment of the waters or land by others.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of any of the paragraphs of sub-paragraph (3) above or to the power conferred on the [F3 Agency] by virtue of paragraph 4 below, the byelaws mentioned in that sub-paragraph include byelaws—

(a) regulating sailing, boating, bathing and fishing and other forms of recreation;

(b) prohibiting the use of the inland waters in question by boats which are not for the time being registered, in such manner as may be required by the byelaws, with the [F3 Agency];

(c) requiring the provision of such sanitary appliances as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing pollution; and

(d) authorising the making of reasonable charges in respect of the registration of boats for the purposes of the byelaws.

(5) In this paragraph “boat” includes a vessel of any description, and “boating” shall be construed accordingly.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words in Sch. 25 para. 2 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Byelaws for regulating the use of the [F4 Agency’s] waterways etc. E+W

Textual Amendments

F4 Word in the cross-heading to Sch. 25 para. 3 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

3 (1) The [F5 Agency] shall have power to make such byelaws as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) below with respect to any waterway owned or managed by the [F5 Agency] and with respect to any land held or managed with the waterway. E+W

(2) The byelaws referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above in relation to any waterway or to any land held or managed with any such waterway are byelaws for any of the following purposes, that is to say—

(a) the preservation of order on or in any such waterway or land;

(b) the prevention of damage to anything on or in any such waterway or land or to any such land;

(c) securing that persons resorting to any such waterway or land so behave as to avoid undue interference with the enjoyment of the waterway or land by others.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of any of the paragraphs of sub-paragraph (2) above or to the power conferred on the [F5 Agency] by virtue of paragraph 4 below, the byelaws mentioned in that sub-paragraph include byelaws—

(a) regulating sailing, boating, bathing and fishing and other forms of recreation;

(b) prohibiting the use of the waterway in question by boats which are not for the time being registered, in such manner as may be required by the byelaws, with the [F5 Agency];

(c) requiring the provision of such sanitary appliances as may be necessary for the purpose of preventing pollution; and

(d) authorising the making of reasonable charges in respect of the registration of boats for the purposes of the byelaws.

(4) In this paragraph—

• “boat” and “boating” have the same meanings as in paragraph 2 above; and

• “waterway” has the same meaning as in the National Parks and Access to the M1 Countryside Act 1949.

Textual Amendments

F5 Words in Sch. 25 para. 3 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Marginal Citations

M1 1949 c. 97.

Byelaws for controlling certain forms of pollution E+W

4 (1) The [F6 Agency] may by byelaws make such provision as the [F6 Agency] considers appropriate— E+W

(a) for prohibiting or regulating the washing or cleaning in any controlled waters of things of a description specified in the byelaws;

(b) for prohibiting or regulating the keeping or use on any controlled waters of vessels of a description specified in the byelaws which are provided with water closets or other sanitary appliances.

(2) In this paragraph—

• “controlled waters” has the same meaning as in Part III of this Act; and

• “sanitary appliance”, in relation to a vessel, means any appliance which—

(a) not being a sink, bath or shower bath, is designed to permit polluting matter to pass into the water where the vessel is situated; and

(b) is prescribed for the purposes of this paragraph.

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in Sch. 25 para. 4 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

Byelaws for flood defence and drainage purposes E+W

5 (1) The [F7 Agency] may make such byelaws in relation to any particular locality or localities as it considers [F8 necessary— E+W

(a) for securing the efficient working of any drainage system, or

(b) for regulating the effects of any drainage system on the environment.]

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-paragraph (1) above and subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, the [F7 Agency] may, in particular, make byelaws for any of the following purposes, that is to say—

(a) regulating the use and preventing the improper use of any watercourses, banks or works vested in the [F7 Agency] or under its control or for preserving any such watercourses, banks or works from damage or destruction;

(b) regulating the opening of sluices and flood gates in connection with any such works as are mentioned in paragraph (a) above;

(c) preventing the obstruction of any watercourse vested in the [F7 Agency] or under its control by the discharge into it of any liquid or solid matter or by reason of any such matter being allowed to flow or fall into it;

(d) compelling the persons having control of any watercourse vested in the [F7 Agency] or under its control, or of any watercourse flowing into any such watercourse, to cut the vegetable growths in or on the bank of the watercourse and, when cut, to remove them.

(3) No byelaw for any purpose specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a) above shall be valid if it would prevent reasonable facilities being afforded for enabling a watercourse to be used by stock for drinking purposes.

(4) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, no byelaw made by the [F7 Agency] under this paragraph shall conflict with or interfere with [F9 the operation of—

(a) any byelaw made by a navigation authority, harbour authority or conservancy authority;

(b) any byelaw made under section 129 or 132 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (byelaws for protecting marine conservation zones in England);

(c) any order made under section 134 or 136 of that Act (orders for protecting marine conservation zones in Wales).]

(5) In this paragraph “banks”[F10 , “drainage”] and “watercourse” have the same meanings as in Part IV of this Act.

Textual Amendments

F7 Words in Sch. 25 para. 5 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F8 Words in Sch. 25 para. 5(1) substituted (30.3.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 100(1), 107(7) (see also S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2)

F9 Sch. 25 para. 5(4)(a)-(c) substituted for words (12.1.2010 for specified purposes, 12.12.2014 in so far as not already in force) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(2)(b)(i), Sch. 11 para. 3; S.I. 2014/3088, art. 2(b)

F10 Word in Sch. 25 para. 5(5) inserted (30.3.2006) by Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (c. 16), ss. 100(2), 107(7) (see also S.I. 2006/2541, art. 2)

Byelaws for purposes of fisheries functions E+W

6 (1) The [F11 Agency] shall have power, [F12 in relation to the whole or any part or parts] of the area in relation to which it carries out its functions relating to fisheries under Part V of this Act, to make byelaws generally for the purposes of— E+W

(a) the better execution of the M2 Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975; and

(b) the better protection, preservation and improvement of any [F13 fisheries of fish to which this paragraph applies.]

[F14 (1A) This paragraph applies to—

(a) salmon, trout, eels, lampreys, smelt, shad and freshwater fish; and

(b) fish of such other description as may be specified for the purposes of this paragraph by order under section 40A of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.]

(2) F15 ... , the [F11 Agency] shall have power, [F12 in relation to the whole or any part or parts] of the area mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above, to make byelaws for any of the following purposes, that is to say—

(a) prohibiting the taking or removal from any water, without lawful authority, of any fish [F16 to which this paragraph applies], whether alive or dead;

[F17 (aa) specifying close seasons or times for the taking of any fish to which this paragraph applies by such means as may be prescribed by the byelaws;]

(b) prohibiting or regulating—

(i) the taking of [F18 any fish to which this paragraph applies] of a size [F19 greater or] less than such as may be prescribed by the byelaw; or

(ii) the taking of fish [F20 to which this paragraph applies] by any means within such distance as is specified in the byelaw above or below any dam or any other obstruction, whether artificial or natural;

(c) prohibiting the use for taking [F21 fish to which this paragraph applies] of any instrument F22 ... in such waters and at such times as may be prescribed by the byelaws;

(d) specifying the nets and other instruments F23 ... which may be used for taking [F24 fish to which this paragraph applies], imposing requirements as to the use of such nets and other instruments and regulating the use, in connection with fishing with rod and line, of any lure or bait specified in the byelaw;

(e) authorising the placing and use of fixed engines at such places, at such times and in such manner as may be prescribed by the byelaws [F25 (including requiring fixed engines during close seasons or times to be removed or made incapable of taking or obstructing the passage of fish)];

(f) imposing requirements as to the construction, design, material and dimensions of any such nets, instruments or engines as are mentioned in paragraphs (d) and (e) above, including in the case of nets the size of mesh;

(g) requiring and regulating the attachment to F26 ... nets and instruments of marks, labels or numbers, or the painting of marks or numbers or the affixing of labels or numbers to boats, coracles or other vessels used in fishing;

(h) prohibiting the carrying in any boat or vessel whilst being used in fishing for [F27 fish to which this paragraph applies] of any net [F28 which may not lawfully be used], or which is without the mark, label or number prescribed by the byelaws; and

(i) prohibiting or regulating the carrying in a boat or vessel during [F29 any close season or time for any description of fish to which this paragraph applies of a net capable of taking fish of that description], other than a net commonly used in the area to which the byelaw applies for sea fishing and carried in a boat or vessel commonly used for that purpose.

F30 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F31 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) The [F11 Agency] shall have power, [F12 in relation to the whole or any part or parts] of the area mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above, to make byelaws for the purpose of requiring persons to send to the [F11 Agency] returns, in such form, giving such particulars and at such times as may be specified in the byelaws—

(a) of the period or periods during which they have fished for [F32 fish to which this paragraph applies],

(b) of whether they have taken any; and

(c) if they have, of what they have taken.

[F33 (5A) A byelaw under this paragraph does not apply to a person (including an employee or agent of the Agency) to the extent that he is acting—

(a) with the written authority of the Agency; and

(b) in accordance with any conditions imposed by the Agency in relation to that authority.

(5B) For the avoidance of doubt, a byelaw under this paragraph may apply to an historic installation as to any other fixed engine.]

(6) Byelaws made under this paragraph may be made to apply to the whole or any part or parts of the year.

(7) Expressions used in this paragraph and in the M3 Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 have the same meanings in this paragraph as in that Act.

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6 substituted (subject to other provisions of the amending Act) (1.4.1996) by 1995 c. 25, s. 120, Sch. 22 para. 128 (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1996/186, art. 3

F12 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(1) to (5) substituted (21.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 105, Sch. 15 para. 26(1) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/1983, art. 3

F13 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(1)(b) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(2), 324(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 14

F14 Sch. 25 para. 6(1A) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(3), 324(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 14

F15 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2) repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(a), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 15(i), 27(b)

F16 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(a) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(b); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F17 Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(aa) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(4), 324(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 14

F18 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(b)(i) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(c)(i); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F19 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(b)(i) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(5), 324(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 14

F20 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(b)(ii) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(c)(ii); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F21 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(c) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(d)(i); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F22 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(c) repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(d)(ii), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 15(i), 27(b)

F23 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(d) repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(e)(i), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 15(i), 27(b)

F24 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(d) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(e)(ii); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F25 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(e) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(6), 324(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 14

F26 Word in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(g) repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(f), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 15(i), 27(b)

F27 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(h) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(g)(i); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F28 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(h) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(g)(ii); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F29 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(2)(i) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(2)(h); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F30 Sch. 25 para. 6(3) repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(7), 324(3), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B) (with s. 224(10)); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 14, 27(b)

F31 Sch. 25 para. 6(4) repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(8), 324(3), Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 14, 27(b)

F32 Words in Sch. 25 para. 6(5) substituted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 24(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 15(i)

F33 Sch. 25 para. 6(5A)(5B) inserted (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), ss. 224(9), 324(3); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. para. 14

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Sch. 25 para. 6 amended (27.8.1993) by 1993 c. 12, ss. 40, 51(2), Sch. 3 Pt. I para. 9 (with s. 46).

Sch. 25 para. 6 excluded by S.I. 1999/1746, arts. 1(1), 4(1) (with art. 2) (the exclusion coming into force immediately before the principal appointed day (1.7.1999 appointed by S.I. 1998/3178, art. 3))

Marginal Citations

M2 1975 c. 51.

M3 1975 c. 51.

[F34 Fisheries byelaws for marine or aquatic environmental purposes] E+W

Textual Amendments

F34 Sch. 25 para. 6A inserted (21.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 103(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/1983, art. 3

[F35 6A (1) Any power to make byelaws conferred by paragraph 6 above may be exercised for marine or aquatic environmental purposes. E+W

(2) The power to make byelaws under paragraph 6 above by virtue of this paragraph is in addition to, and not in derogation from, the power to make byelaws under that paragraph otherwise than by virtue of this paragraph.

(3) In this paragraph “marine or aquatic environmental purposes” means—

(a) the conservation or enhancement of the natural beauty or amenity of marine or coastal, or aquatic or waterside, areas (including their geological or physiographical features) or of any features of archaeological or historic interest in such areas; or

(b) the conservation of flora or fauna which are dependent on, or associated with, a marine or coastal, or aquatic or waterside, environment.]

Textual Amendments

F35 Sch. 25 para. 6A inserted (21.9.1995) by 1995 c. 25, s. 103(3) (with ss. 7(6), 115, 117); S.I. 1995/1983, art. 3

Restrictions on powers to make byelaws for fisheries purposes E+W

F36 7 E+W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F36 Sch. 25 para. 7 repealed (12.1.2010) by Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 (c. 23), s. 324(3), Sch. 16 para. 25, Sch. 22 Pt. 5(B); S.I. 2009/3345, art. 2, Sch. paras. 15(i), 27(b)