SPC Presentation Leitrim Part 1

Slide1: 

Shannon RBD Project & EU Water Framework Directive Enda Thompson – Project Co-ordinator, LCC Alan Barr – Project Manager, KMM

Water Framework Directive: 

Water Framework Directive What? Why? When? How? By Whom?

Slide3: 

‘The purpose of this Directive is to establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater’ WFD (2000) Water Framework Directive - purpose

What is the Water Framework Directive?: 

What is the Water Framework Directive? A Directive establishing a new framework for Community action in the field of water policy Rationalises and updates existing water legislations and provides for  water management on the basis of river catchments (RBD's) Overall objective of WFD - maintain “high status” of waters where it exists - prevent any deterioration in existing status of waters - achieve at least “good status” of all waters by 2015. “Waters” = surface waters (rivers, lakes, canals), groundwater, estuarine & coastal waters

Why do we need it?: 

Why do we need it? General decline in water quality both in Ireland and across Europe Increasing demand from public for cleaner rivers, lakes, groundwater and beaches Incidents of transnational pollution – highlight need to manage on river basin (catchment) area Need to streamline legislation – 7 old Directives to be repealed Combined approach – ecological and water quality Co-ordination of measures

Slide6: 

River Water Quality 1971-2000 (source: EPA)

What’s new with the WFD?: 

What’s new with the WFD? WFD is considerably broader in scope Existing management plans - mainly water quality WFD all inland and coastal waters i.e. rivers, lakes, canals, g/w, estuaries and coastal up to one nautical mile Biological/ecological status of surface waters Chemical status of waters Water quality and quantity including sustainable use of water Protection of aquatic habitats and water-dependent terrestrial habitats Requires public participation in preparation of plans !

Slide8: 

When will this be achieved?

Slide9: 

When? (continued)

How will it be achieved?: 

How will it be achieved? By setting up River Basin Districts (RBD) as the basic unit for co-ordination of management measures By establishing an integrated monitoring and management system for all waters within the RBD By developing a dynamic programme of management measures By producing a single River Basin Management Plan for each RBD, which will be continually updated

Slide11: 

Water Framework Directive “Managing our Shared Waters”

By whom?: 

By whom?

EC (Water Policy) Regs 2003 S.I. No. 722 of 2003: 

EC (Water Policy) Regs 2003 S.I. No. 722 of 2003 Establish 7 RBDs in State, 3 of which are iRBDs Competent authorities EPA for co-ordinating measures by Local Authorities (LAs), reports to EU Relevant LAs acting jointly in each RBD to estb. env. obj. & programmes of measures Make RBMPs Estb. RBD Advisory Councils Co-ordination/ guidance by Minister & EPA

EC (Water Policy) Regs 2003 S.I. No. 722 of 2003: 

EC (Water Policy) Regs 2003 S.I. No. 722 of 2003 Relevant Public Authorities Consult, co-operate, liaise, support other authorities for co-ordinated implementation of the WFD and Regs Specific tasks assigned to EPA and LAs Powers of EPA being extended Monitoring programme – EPA specify for all public authorities Supervisory function –extended to all public authorities

EC (Water Policy) Regs 2003 S.I. No. 722 of 2003: 

EC (Water Policy) Regs 2003 S.I. No. 722 of 2003 Establish RBD Advisory Council “..consider matters relating to the preparation of RBMPs and other matters..” “..advise and make recommendations..” Established by 22/12/04 and last for 5 yrs Membership & procedures determined by relevant LAs Numbers – between 20 and 50 Elected members (25%) and interested parties Meet at least twice per year LA employee assigned duties of secretary of forum

Provisions in the Directive: 

Provisions in the Directive Article 14 - Key public participation provision in Directive Active involvement in all aspects of implementation of Directive, especially (but not limited to) the planning process Consultation in 3 steps of planning process Access to background information Annex VII - RBMP should tell where and how background information can be obtained, provide summary of pp measures taken, evaluate their results and changes made to the plan as a consequence. Member States have to: encourage active involvement and ensure consultation and access to background information

Shannon River Basin District Project: 

Shannon River Basin District Project

Slide19: 

Project Office –Annacotty, Limerick Project Office

Project Tasks: 

Project Tasks Task 1 – Background Information (Policy & Legislation Report) Task 2 – Characterisation of Shannon RBD Task 3 – Develop River Basin Management System Monitoring System Computerised mapping system (GIS) Programme of Measures Public Awareness & Consultations Environmental Management System (EMS) Task 4 – Implement River Basin Management System Task 5 – Prepare River Basin Management Strategy