The Environment Agency is a Government Organisation established to provide an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for England and Wales which will both improve the environment and contribute to the Governments goal of sustainable development. It has a wide range of duties including integrated pollution control, water quality, water resources, flood defence and fisheries management (except in the Tweed catchment, see Tweed Foundation and River Tweed Commissioners).  In fulfilling these duties, the Environment Agency issues abstraction licences and discharge consents and operates a hydrological network of river and rain gauges.