the principle of there being no tolls for use of the river was established by the 1664 act of parliament. this was reversed by the 1794 act, which imposed high tolls, until they were reduced by the provisions of an act of parliament obtained in 1824. the river is now managed by the environment agency between stamford and just below fosdyke bridge, and a licence is required to use it. from there to the wash, it was managed by the port of fosdyke authority, but since they went into administration, the environment agency have also managed the section from fosdyke bridge to below the holbeach river.