ARE the authorities doing enough to combat flooding? Are too many houses being build beside the river? Is the wildlife that lives in the water being protected? If these questions concern you, now's the chance to have your say.

The Environment Agency has published a consultation document for the River Severn which will let anyone with an interest in the water environment or the river basin planning process to comment.

The document, called River Basin Planning: Working Together, is the first in a series of three water framework directive publications available for public consultation.

Mark Sitton, Midlands region director of the Environment Agency, said: "This document gives people the chance to influence the way the water framework directive works for the next nine years.

"These regulations will have a major influence in shaping our approach to the environment across the UK and we want anyone who would like to comment on our plans to get in touch with us, either via the web or in writing."

The document can be seen at www.environment-agency.

gov.uk/wfd and you can also comment by sending an e-mail to severnRBD@environment-agency.gov.uk People can also send comments in writing to: Environment Agency (Water Framework Directive programme), Sapphire East, 550 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, B91 1QT.

A copy of the consultation document can also be requested by writing to that address.

The consultation is due to run for six months.