The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is a powerful non-departmental public body in Scotland sponsored by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department. SEPA was established by the Environment Act 1995 and is responsible for the protection of the natural environment in Scotland. Its area of competence includes air, land, freshwater and marine environments (see Scottish waters).

Its staff of approximately 1200 is involved in a large number of activities, including:

• inspecting industrial sites
• monitoring river flows and heights
• taking and analysing ecological samples
• issuing permits to discharge into waters
• regulating waste management
• developing and running Scotland's flood warning system
• monitoring emissions to air
• overseeing the keeping and disposal of radioactive sources
• monitoring Scottish bathing waters.

It also operates a 24 hour Pollution Report Line (0800 80 70 60) and the 24 hour Floodline (0845 988 1188), with online flood warnings.

See also

• Geography of Scotland
• Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department
• Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999
• COMAH regulations
• John Murray (oceanographer)

External links

• Official website, including Scottish environmental information, advice and contacts

Environment of Scotland | Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department | Scottish Executive agencies | Scottish public bodies