New RegulationsTimetable

Key challenges Issues Ahead

Cian Ó Lionáin, Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government

Niece Network LaunchTullamore 13 November 2014

• Adopted 2000, the primary EU legislative framework (includes UWWTD, ND)

• Defines parameters for sustainable water management

• Aim is “good” status for all water bodies by 2015 (or 2027)

• Good status = good ecology, quantity and chemistry

• Exemptions

• Requires integrated management of water and land in river basin /catchments & measures to address key pressures

• Article 9 – recovery of costs for water services, to incentivise efficient water use

EU Water Framework Directive

WFD timelines

Achievements of First Cycle

Plans and Programme of Measures adopted 2010

Wealth of scientific information www.wfdireland.ie

Improved integration into strategic planning in legislative frameworks

Achievements in particular sectors

• Need for better integration and ‘joined-up’ policy making

• Water quality goals need to be realistic, evidence-based and achievable

• Need to prioritise and spread the cost

• Disproportionality and affordability – objective criteria will be needed to ensure transparent decision-making process (exemptions / time deferrals etc.)

• Credibility, stakeholder involvement and reputation

RBMPs – Lessons from 1st Cycle

• Due to commence in 2015

• Realistically will now be finalised in 2017

• New approaches to :• Governance• River Basin Management Planning• Catchment science

• Informed by successes and mistakes of 1st cycle

2nd Cycle of River Basin Management Planning

SI 722 of 2003 transposed the WFD with LAs central to administration

SI 350 of 2014 : New Governance Structure

Roles of Minister, Agency and LAs more defined

Establishment of Water Policy Advisory Committee to advise Minister

New Regulations

Governance Reform for WFD

• Who’s on WPAC?• Chaired by DECLG• All governmental and state agency stakeholders including:

• EPA, DAFM, DCENR, HSE, D/ Health, Commissioner for Energy Regulation, DAHG CCMA, OPW

• Role?• Provide policy advice and assistance to Minister on implementation of

WFD and broader water resource issues (including economic)• Provide advice on and support for the making of RBMPs including

Programmes of Measures

• Issues currently on the table?• Tracking progress on Tier 2 and Tier 3• Control of Abstractions (Working Group established)• Economic analysis of water services

Tier 1: Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC)

Led by the science;Understand the

economics;Assign responsibility

appropriately;Integrate with other directives & plansPublic consultation

Realistic ambition rather than

aspirational plansInnovative, smart & efficient solutions;Technically feasible

and affordable options

Improved water quality outcomes

Overall approach

• Previously, 8 RBMPs overseen by WFD co-ordinating offices

• EPA study by Ó Breasaíl & Mills

• Now, 1 national and 1 international RBMP

• Final RBMP will be adopted by the Minister (on the advice of WPAC)

• Administered at regional level by individual LAs

• LA effort co-ordinated by 3 WFD regional offices (tbd)

River Basin Management Planning

• A national RBD to encompass the waters wholly within the Republic of Ireland.

• A restricted area International RBD to encompass the cross border catchments.

Step 1 – Establishing 2 RBMPs

• Floods Directive• Water Services Strategic Plan• Spatial and Economic Plans – national and regional

Step 2 – Integration with other policies

• Dynamic has changed with introduction of water charges - Focus on who pays and prioritisation

• Guard against “consultation fatigue”

• Needs to be meaningful if seeking optimal solutions and behavioural change

• Needs to be targeted at right level – national v local

Step 3 – Public Consultation

Next plans due by end 2015

River Basin Management PlansPublic Consultation

Document to be published Period in advance of entry into force

Timetable and draft work programme(Published July 2014)

3 years

Significant water management issues

2 years

Draft River Basin Management Plans

1 year

• Regulations to support new governance and plan-making structures √• Public consultation on timetable and work programme √• Water Environment Legislation

• Characterisation Report

• Continued implementation and monitoring

• Managing the transition between plans.

Next Steps

• Assessment of IE 1st cycle planshttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/pdf/CWD-2012-379_EN-Vol3_IE.pdf

• Main issues to be addressed urgently for the second cycle governance gaps in legislation recovery of ERC funding for EPA activities (enforcement and planning functions) targeted delivery / deployment of EU funds to help achieve EU water objectives accelerate action on 2nd cycle RBMPs

EU assessment of Main challenges for Ireland

Approval to be sought from Government to commence work on a Water Environment Bill

Bill will address WFD compliance issues; also hope to consolidate existing WQ legislation.

2015: detailed scientific work, consultation

Formal introduction of Bill thereafter

Water Environment Bill

• Ireland has accepted that we must address 3 key WFD elements: abstraction control, safeguard zones, and definition of water services

• EU Commission has initiated infringement proceedings on these grounds.

• Recent ECJ judgment in case brought by the European Commission against Germany may have implications for Ireland’s approach to this.

Water Environment Bill

• Challenging work programme

• Positive partnership

• Critical leadership role for LA sector

• Ní neart go cur le chéile

Email: cian.olionain@environ.ie@cianolionain

In conclusion……