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RIVER BASIN PLANNING

RIVER BASIN PLANNING

For more information on River Basin Planning, visit www.ni-environment.gov.uk/water/wfd.htm

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For further Information on this topic or any other Environment issue contact the address below.

POLLUTION HO R TL TE

WATER MANAGEMENT
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INTRODUCTION
A river basin (or catchment) is the area drained by a river and its tributaries, i.e., the area from which a river catches or collects its water. A catchment area can be very small, just a few hectares, or it may cover an enormous area, for example, the Shannon or Lough Neagh Catchments. Apart from some loss by evaporation, all the water that falls as rain within a catchment area will either run off on the surface eventually reaching the river which drains the basin or sink into the ground to become groundwater. How long it takes the water to reach the river or its tributaries depends on the vegetation cover and rock type. If there are settlements in the area, the effects of man-made drains and road surfaces will also be relevant. As with all environmentally linked systems, any activities that take place in one area of the river basin can have consequences elsewhere, and how water is used in one area can affect the interests of others. Theres always someone else downstream! Therefore the effective management of water and the water environment requires an integrated and coordinated planning system based within river basins.

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RIVER BASIN

IMPORTANCE OF RIVER BASIN PLANNING


River basin planning is an ongoing process that promotes sustainable water use while protecting and improving the water environment. This is important because Northern Irelands waters have a wide range of uses which contribute to the economic and social well-being of the country. Water is used by industry to make products, assist industrial processes and generate power. It is used by the wider public to support many domestic and recreational uses. Water should also sustain healthy environments and a range of wildlife enjoyed by us all. A key function of river basin planning is to strike a balance between environmental, social and economic interests. In this way it makes an important contribution to the practical achievement of sustainable development.

BALLYLUMFORD POWERSTATION

Our aim is to protect, conserve and promote the natural and built environment for the benefit of present and future generations. Northern Ireland Environment Agency Water Management Unit 17 Antrim Road Lisburn BT28 3AL (028) 9262 3168 www.ni-environment.gov.uk

WHO Is RespONsIble fOR CO-ORDINaTINg RIveR BasIN PlaNNINg IN NORTHeRN IRelaND?


The EC Water Framework Directive is the most significant piece of legislation for Northern Irelands water environment. The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 identify the Department of the Environment (and the Environment and Heritage Service)

as the responsible authority for co-ordinating the river basin planning process. Three other government departments, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Department for Regional Development, and their agencies, also share a statutory obligation with regard for river basin planning. There are three International River Basin Districts (IRBD) and one River Basin District (RBD) within Northern Ireland (see Map 1).

NORTH SOUTH CO-OPERATION


As Map 1 shows, Northern Ireland shares three International River Basin Districts with the Republic of Ireland. Several major river systems flow across the border. There is already close co-operation to ensure that activities in one jurisdiction do not compromise water quality in the other. At the very least, fish and other wildlife must migrate freely. Lead agencies North and South are working closely to develop common environmental targets and common standards of working. The Water Framework Directive requires these arrangements to be formalised where possible. The objective is that our waters should achieve the highest possible standard regardless of the border between two Member States.

The plans and programmes of measures are not intended as once-only exercises but as changeable processes based on a six-yearly cycle of updating. River basin planning as a continuous process will contribute to the development and delivery of the following: Assessment of the pressures and impact on the water environment; Analysis of the economic importance of water use; Design of monitoring programmes to assess impacts and monitor changes; Setting of environmental objectives, and Identification and delivery of measures to improve the environment

OTHeR PlaNNINg PROCesses


River basin planning must work with other planning processes to provide effective environmental protection. The management of land has a substantial impact upon the water environment, while the water environment represents a valuable economic and amenity resource.

RIveR BasIN PlaNNINg TeRmINOlOgY


River Basin: Sometimes known as the river catchment, a river basin is the area of land from which all surface run-off flows through a sequence of streams, rivers and, possibly freshwater lakes into the sea at a single river mouth, estuary or delta. River Basin District: A river basin or several small river basins combined with larger river basins or joined with neighbouring small basins together with stretches of coastal waters. This is the main unit for management of river basins. International River Basin District: A River Basin District which covers the territory of more than one Member State. River Basin Management Plan: For each River Basin District, a River Basin Management Plan must be published. The plan will outline how the water environment will be managed and how improvements will be carried out to meet environmental objectives. River Basin Planning: is the process of collecting and analysing river basin data and evaluating management measures in order to achieve environmental objectives within prescribed timescales.

MAP 1

RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT PLANNING PROCESS


Characterisation (what RBD looks like)

Monitoring the water environment

LAGAN RIVER BASIN

Achive environmental objectives

Public Participation

Identify issues to be addressed

Undertake improvements

Develop, assess and agree options (programme of measures)

River Basin Management: the river basin planning process is followed by the implementation of the management measures. The planning process together with the implementation of the management measures is often referred to as river basin management.

RIveR basIN plaNNINg pROCess


A key component of the river basin planning process is the development of individual river basin management plans for each River Basin District. The plans will set out the actions required within each district to achieve agreed environmental objectives. This process requires a gap analysis where for every water body (surface and groundwater) any differences between its existing status and environmental objective are identified. A programme of measures or action plan can then be drawn up and put in place to achieve the desired goals.

WHO Is INvOlveD IN THe RIveR BasIN PlaNNINg PROCess?


Involvement of interested parties is a core principle of the river basin planning process. A Northern Ireland Stakeholder Forum has been set up and will include methods for engaging the wider general public in developing the plans. Also, the appropriate Government Minister must approve the plans before they can be finalised.

FISH FARM

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