The NSW Government is currently working on the following programs to improve the way we manage water for the environment.
![McCaughey's Lagoon](https://water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0003/581088/river-connectivity-McCaugheys-Lagoon-367x220.jpg)
Connectivity between river reaches and their surrounding environment is critical for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
![Aerial view of Darling River with algal bloom](https://water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0009/571428/managing-enviro-water-darling-river-367x220.jpg)
Active management rules protect environmental water from extraction in the unregulated Barwon-Darling, Gwydir and Macquarie-Bogan water
![Pacific Black Duck - Image credit: A Leung DPE](https://water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/570668/held-Pacific-Black-DuckA-Leung-DPE-367x220.jpg)
An independent review into the department’s implementation of the resumption of flows rule, active management and individual daily
![Hume Dam](https://water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0005/581108/PrerequisiteHume-Dam-367x220.jpg)
Prerequisite policy measures aim to maximise the benefits of water for the environment.
![Murray River at Toolebuc](https://water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0010/581086/northwest-flow-Murray-River-a-Toolebuc-367x220.jpg)
The plan will improve the connectivity of rivers in the northern Murray-Darling Basin.
![Morton Boulka picnic area. Image courtesy of John Spencer.](https://water.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/image/0004/606991/high-releases-menindee-367-x-220.jpg)
Two studies have looked at the flooding impacts and benefits of higher releases measured at Weir 32.
Protecting environmental water flowing from Queensland
In 2020, the NSW Government implemented active management in several water sources to protect active environmental water (AEW) from extraction. Intersecting Streams were considered a priority for the protection of environmental water. However, at the time there was no method for accounting for environmental water flowing across the Queensland border. NSW and Queensland have since agreed on a process for identifying and notifying the presence of held environmental water crossing the Queensland-NSW border.
The department is now investigating options for recognising this held environmental water in the Intersecting Streams water sources to achieve instream environmental outcomes. This water will then be protected if it reaches the Barwon-Darling River under active management.