February 20th, 2024
Celebrating One Year of Progress: The Lewes Council’s Rights of River Motion
Photo by Karl Moran on Unsplash
Today, we mark the one-year anniversary of its historic Rights of River motion, signalling a significant step in granting – rights to the River Ouse. The motion recognised the growing global movement of the rights of rivers and gave itself a two year timescale, working “towards the production of a ‘Declaration on the Rights of the River Ouse’ by relevant stakeholders for possible endorsement by the Council”. The motion, spearheaded by Matthew Bird, a Lewes town and then district councillor, and drafted with input from ELF, emerged from a growing recognition of the need to address water pollution and improve the health of local rivers.
The River Ouse is on track to become the first river in England to have a Rights of Rivers Charter, with the charter currently in development. Expected to be endorsed by the council next year, the charter draws inspiration from the Universal Declaration of River Rights.
The Environmental Law Foundation has played a crucial role in assisting local community group Love Our Ouse (LOO) to advance the River Ouse Charter within the stipulated time frame, collaborating with stakeholders such as the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust and Sussex Wildlife Trust. ELF has also closely worked with the council. A rights of rivers summit, attended by over 70 delegates, provided a platform for discussions and collaborations.
Working with a city law firm and Monica Feria-Tinta, the foundation has actively sought to influence Lewes District Council in incorporating and drafting plans to foster a rights-based approach. These concerted efforts aim to transform the envisioned statutory rights for the River Ouse into a tangible reality.