Severn River Basin District Working Together

Mark Scott

River Basin Programme Manager

Content

� The Water Framework Directive

� River Basin Districts and the Severn Estuary

� River Basin Planning

� Stakeholder Engagement

The Water Framework Directive - Purpose

Integrated management of river basins to:

� prevent deterioration and enhance the

status of the water environment

� promote sustainable water use

� contribute to mitigating the effects of floods

and droughts

Why is the Water Framework Directive good?

An opportunity...

to improve inland, coastal and groundwaters through better land management;

tackle issues such as diffuse pollution;

improve habitats for wildlife;

build stronger relationships with others.

What will be different?

Greater focus on ecology;

Applies to all water bodies: rivers, lakes, estuaries,

coastal waters to one nautical mile, ground waters,

and man-made water bodies;

More co-ordinated, cross-functional planning;

More emphasis on stakeholder engagement.

11 River Basin Districts across England and

Wales

Western Wales RBD

South West RBD

River Basin Planning

River Basin Planning

River Basin Planning

Severn River Basin District

river basin planning:summary of significant watermanagement issues

River Basin Planning

Stakeholder engagement

Why is engagement important

� Competent authority cannot take all actions needed

� Needs integrated approach to agree and implement

actions

� Some measures set nationally

� Will also need action across a RBD…. and more locally

� Influence policy; projects & partnerships; codes of

practice; inform and educate

Engagement at three scales

Defra stakeholder group

National Liaison Panels

Liaison Panel

Catchment / Local arrangements

NATIONAL

RIVER BASIN

DISTRICT

CATCHMENT / LOCAL

River Basin District Liaison Panels

� One in each River Basin District

� Set up to help us achieve active stakeholder

involvement

� Key stakeholders in the River Basin District

� Co-deliverers able to take action at RBD level

� Not statutory

Engagement below River Basin District scale

� Use existing groups & networks where possible

� Severn Estuary Partnership good example

� Some common membership with Liaison Panels

� Clear geographical focus for SEP

� Established networks, groups, publications, events

� Facilitate additional events e.g. workshops

� Discussions continuing on what additional, more local

engagement needed and how to do this

Key dates and contacts

� ‘Working Together’ consultation ends 24 June 2007

� Significant Issues consultation starts 24 July 2007

� www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd

� River Basin Programme Managers:

� Severn - Mark Scott

� South West - Ben Bunting

� Western Wales - Damian Crilly

Severn River Basin District Working Together

Mark Scott

River Basin Programme Manager