Commentary on Sections Part 1: Abstraction and Impounding 67. .Section 18: Register of certain protected rights.
In water stressed areas, it may be necessary for the EA to have detailed knowledge of all the protected rights to which it must have regard in its licensing activity. Section 18 provides a power to make regulations to set up a Register of Protected Rights in such areas. Where a Register exists, an abstractor will need to register his protected right within two years of the Register coming into existence if he wants that right to continue.