River Basin Management Planning
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, as, 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 or sink into the ground to become groundwater, eventually reaching the river which drains the basin. The speed at which the water reaches the river or its tributaries will depend on the vegetation cover and rock type. If there are settlements in the area then 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. There’s always someone else downstream! Therefore the effective management of water and the water environment requires an integrated and co-ordinated planning system based within river basins.
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 Ireland’s 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.
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 Ireland’s water environment. The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 identifies the Department of the Environment (and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency) 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 to river basin planning.
North South Co-operation
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 neighbouring area. 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.
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 is identified. A programme of measures can then be identified and put in place to achieve the desired goals.
The plans and programme of measures are not intended as a once-only exercise but a changeable process based upon a six-yearly cycle of updating. River basin planning as an ongoing process will have a role in contributing 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
- Identification and delivery of measures to improve the environment and
- Setting of environmental objectives
River Basin Management Plans
Each River Basin Management Plan will comprise four 'tiers' as follows:
- Tier 1 Background Document - A document that will build on the co-operation elements set out in the 2003 document 'Managing Our Shared Waters'. It will provide an overall management view of cross border issues for each IRBD.
- Tier 2 River Basin Plan Document - This will cover all operational aspects of the plan. The main focus of the plan will be on monitoring and management of RBDs, including objective setting and the programme of measures which will be devised to combat each of the RBD's significant water management issues. Stakeholders will be consulted about how best to deliver the plans' messages.
- Tier 3 Database and Webtools - This relates to web mapping tools and availability of electronic information.
- Tier 4 Appendices - This will comprise previous scientific and technical work that has previously been reported to Europe. For example, water body maps, descriptions of pressures and impacts, protected areas etc.
Who is involved in the River Basin Planning process?
Active 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 the process of developing the plans. Also the appropriate government minister must approve the plans before they can be finalised.
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.