Should It Really Be Up to the Amateurs?

The UK's rivers are in a terrible state. The government Environmental Agency (EA) is supposed to monitor and protect English waterways from farmers, industialists and Water Companies. The EA has suffered from progressive cutbacks and deliberate limiting of its powers. Data suggests that the EA's 'new' monitoring programme essentially leaves rivers and streams unprotected. One answer appears to be to spend £7m on training 'citizen scientists' to take over the roll (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/14/citizen-scientists-to-monitor-english-rivers-in-7m-scheme). 'Citizen scientists' are essentially unpaid, enthusiasts. They have been used successfully, in the UK, to provide rough annual counts of birds and butterflies. The £7m scheme described is modelled on testing carried out by volunteers at Chesapeake Bay in the US. There are, however, a number of problems with using 'citizen scientists' for roles like this. They have no statutory powers to gain access to locations. They have no personal insurance or health protections. Some will have costs for travel and/or equipment. They can pass on their data but will find pushing for it to be acted upon, difficult. Citizen scientists will also have to be replaced, as they age or move on. Who will train the replacements? It might be more effective to simply fund and empower the EA better?