water framework directive – coastal issues will akast catchment delivery manager-suffolk
TRANSCRIPT
XXXThe European Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in
December 2000 and became part of UK law in December 2003.It is an ecology-led directive and the most substantial piece of
European water legislation to date. It introduces an integrated approach to all aspects of water management
The WFD will help to protect and enhance the quality of all waters:Surface freshwater (including lakes, streams and rivers) GroundwaterGroundwater dependent ecosystemsEstuariesCoastal waters out to 1 mile from low water
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ObjectivesThe Water Framework Directive (WFD) introduces river basin planning
as a means to:
Prevent deterioration and enhance / restore the status of all water bodies
Promote sustainable water use
Reduce pollution
Contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts
Comply with standards and objectives of other Directives
River Basin Planning:Prevent deterioration and enhance the status of the water environment, including ground waterPromote sustainable water useReduce pollutionContribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughtsCreate better habitats for people and wildlifeWe are at start of river basin planning process to improve the environment over the next 25 years (3 cycles 2015, 2021, 2027)
Water Framework Directive – based on ecologyProtects and improves the natural health of the water environmentWater bodies are classified as achieving high, good, moderate, poor or bad
ecological status with biology being the main driver.Requires achievement of ‘good ecological status’ by the implementation of
actionsGood status is based on four key aspects:
BiologyChemical water quality (surface & ground waters)Physical structure - morphologyQuantity (surface & ground waters)
Not about re-naturalising – human ‘uses’ recognised
Water Framework Directive – New Classification System
Brings together status of different aspects:Individual Biological elements e.g. fish, invertebratesSupporting Physico-chemical elements e.g. phosphate, ammoniaCompliance with standards for ‘Specific Pollutants’ e.g. zincWater quantity (for ‘High’ status only)Morphology (whether mitigation required or not)
Recorded as: High
Good
Moderate
Poor
Bad
Status/ Potential (if ‘Artificial or Heavily Modified’)
Important rule: ‘One out, All out’
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We want to have healthy water environments as soon as possible before 2027. This will be achieved by:
Improving rural land management
Reducing the impact of the built environment and man-made changes
Addressing point and diffuse sources of pollution
Securing sustainable amounts of water
Improving wildlife habitats
Improving the water environment - mechanisms for action
A range of mechanisms – policy, legal and financial tools - can be used. Together they can be very successful in achieving the outcomes needed for protecting and improving the water environment.
BansPermits
Plans
&
Rules
Incentives
Partnerships
&
Codes of Practice
Education
&
Awareness
Softer approaches……………………………………….Regulatory approaches
Data
& Information
( less enforceable ) ( more enforceable )
Water bodies in England & Wales: 7409
There are 228 TRaC water bodies in England & Wales:
Coastal = 93
Estuarine = 135
Transitional and Coastal (TRaC) Water Bodies
11 8 714
25
3
24
18
8
127
6
20
23
11
27
1 2
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Estuarine
Coastal
TRaC waters by River Basin
Heavily modified waterbodiesMany of our coasts and estuaries have been modified by man – to defend land from inundation or erosion; dredging etc. These are designated Heavily Modified Water Bodies.
Heavily Modified Water Bodies must achieve Good Ecologial Potential (GEP).
GEP is the best ecology that the water body can achieve without compromising the use for which it has been designated.
GEP is achieved when relevant Mitigation Measures are in place.
There are 29 TRaC water bodies in Anglian Region – 79% of these are heavily modified for flood and coast protection.
What does WFD mean for the Suffolk Coast and Estuaries?
For each estuary and stretch of coast we will be looking at a range of mitigation measures
For example :
a) Managed realignment of flood defence
b) Preserve and where possible enhance ecological value of marginal aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone
c) Removal of hard bank reinforcement / revetment with soft engineering solution
WFD assessments to tie in closely with the SMP and estuary strategy / plan process
Screening
No WFD assessment needed if:Temporary – impact only lasts a short period of time with rapid, natural recovery
Low impact works – list of low impact works available from the Environment Agency
Appendix A of Excel screening proforma
Vegetation clearance and channel repair works
Backfill replacement Opportunities for environmental improvements (no WFD assesment needed)
Scour protection Yes, WFD screening needed
Minor concrete repair No WFD consideration needed
Joint repair No WFD consideration needed
Sealant replacement No WFD consideration needed
Corrosion removal/protection No WFD consideration needed
Replacing signs No WFD consideration needed
Repair of fencing No WFD consideration needed
Example
WFD compliance assessment processPreliminary assessment
Step 1 – collect information on the waterbody
Step 2 – collect information on the activity
Step 3 – preliminary assessment of impact
WFD compliance assessment processDetailed assessment
Step 4 – design and options appraisal
Step 5 – detailed impact assessment
Step 6 – Application of Article 4.7 tests
Step 7 – Reporting
New schemes or works
ApplicantUndertaking or commissioning an assessment and submitting it as part of an application
Environment AgencyAdvice on requirement for and scope of WFD assessment
Providing general advice to explain how the assessment ties in with the consent application