WFD AND PLANNING: ADVICE TO PLANNING
AUTHORITIES (ENGLAND AND WALES)
(Posted 25 May 2006)

The WFD will have a significant impact on the spatial planning process.  This initial guidance on the WFD and spatial planning has been produced by Environment Agency, Royal Town Planning Institute, the Local Government Association and the Welsh Local Government Association as a first step in a process of increasing awareness amongst spatial planners of the WFD and its implications for planning.  It highlights the key elements of the Directive and outlines some of the potential implications for those involved in spatial planning.

The document is available on Agency’s website:
(http://publications.environment-agency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0306BKJL-e-e.pdf)

SUBMISSIONS ON DRAFT UKTAG ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS & CONDITIONS REPORT (SR1 – 2006)
(Posted 25 May 2006)

Comments on UKTAG’s proposals for UK environmental standards and conditions are now available. UKTAG is presently collating a summary of the significant issues.

A summary of the outcome and UKTAG’s response should be posted on their website by the end of June 2006:
(http://www.wfduk.org)

GROUNDWATER PROTECTION: POLICY AND PRACTICE (GP3)
Consultation on parts 1,2 & 3. The deadline for comments is Wednesday 19 July 2006.
(Posted 25 May 2006)

To protect groundwater resources and quality in England and Wales the Environment Agency produced a groundwater protection policy. The Agency is currently in the process of updating the policy. The new document is in four parts plus a summary. At present they are consulting on Parts 1—3: Core Policy, Technical Framework, and Policy and Practice.

Background information and pdf documents are available on the Agency’s website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waterres/groundwater/1463256/?lang=_e)

MCS COASTAL CHALLENGE
(Posted 25 May 2006)

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is hoping to raise £50,000 by Easter 2007 by combining the efforts of hundreds of people to walk, swim, run, cycle, sail or skip a total of 18,470 km – the length of the UK coastline.

For more information on the Challenge and how to take part see the MCS website:
(http://www.mcsuk.org/support/how-to-help/coastal+challenge)

A NEW WEBSITE: AINA – ASSOCIATION OF INLAND NAVIGATION AUTHORITY – INFORMATION ON THE WFD
(Posted 25 May 2006)

The AINA now has a section on their website to brief members of AINA on the Water Framework Directive and its impact on their activities. It gives background information on topics such as environmental objectives of the WFD, particularly for artificial and heavily modified water bodies (AWBs/HMWBs), the development of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and stakeholder’s participation. A Ports, Navigation and Dredging Sector Group has been set up in England and Wales to share information about the impact of the Directive, and to provide a forum for discussions with Defra and the Environment Agency:

The website can be found at the following address:
(http://www.aina.org.uk/work_programme/water_framework.html)

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - RESPONSE TO THE DEFRA AND WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON WFD RIVER BASIN PLANNING GUIDANCE
(Posted 25 May 2006)

The Agency have now submitted their response to the above. This guidance is key to the implementation of the WFD as it provides further detail of the role of the Agency and that of other bodies in developing and implementing River Basin Management Plans. In their response the Agency welcomed the document but they also highlighted a number of issues that need further consideration and resolution.

Full text of the response is available on the Agency’s website:
(http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/epq/water_flooding/waterfworkdirective?lang=en)

HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATES - WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
Tuesday, 9 May 2006
(Posted 25 May 2006)

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat) and Baroness Byford (Conservative) asked Her Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in implementing the Water Framework Directive. Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton replied. The main topics of the discussion were:

  • Alternative objectives and derogations from the directive.
  • The effect of the WFD’s implementation on water prices.
  • Tackling diffuse pollution from both agricultural and non-agricultural sources, and addressing hydro-morphological impacts.
  • Stakeholder involvement at local level.
  • The polluter–pays principle.

Full text of the debate can be found on the following website:
(http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2006-05-09a.854.0&s=speaker%3A13554#g854.1)

WATER COMPANIES TO CONSULT ON DROUGHT PLANS
(Posted 25 May 2006)

On May 2006 Water UK have released a press release about a formal consultation where water companies in England and Wales will seek the views of customers on their plans for managing drought. Drought plans are not a reaction to the current drought in southeast England but part of long-term water resources planning. After preliminary consideration by the Secretary of State for Environment Food and Rural Affairs the plans will be placed on company websites, sent to directly to local interest groups and promoted through relevant media.

Full text of the press release can be found on the Water UK website:
(http://www.water.org.uk/home/news/press-releases/drought-plans)

SCOTTISH COASTAL AND MARINE NATIONAL PARK CONSULTATION
(Posted 25 May 2006)

Members of the public are being asked where they think the first Coastal and Marine National Park of its kind in Europe should be located in Scotland. Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie has announced plans to launch a consultation in early summer. It follows advice given to Ministers last month from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) on possible candidate areas. SNH suggested a number of possible candidates for designation - Solway Firth; Argyll Islands and Coast; Ardnamurchan, Small Isles and the South of Skye Coast; North Skye and Western Ross; North Uist, Sound of Harris and South Lewis.

Full text of the press release can be found on the Scottish Government website:
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/04/18103923)

The main SNH report, further background documents and additional information on the Coastal & Marine National Parks are available on the SNH website:
(http://www.snh.org.uk/strategy/CMNP/sr-adnp01.asp)

NEW CENTRE FOR NEWPORT WETLANDS
(Posted 25 May 2006)

Work will start this summer on a new Visitor and Environmental Education Centre that will become the major tourist attraction for Wales’ newest city. Newport Wetlands was created six years ago on the former site of storage lagoons for a nearby power station. It is owned by the Countryside Council. The project is the result of a partnership between the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Newport City Council and the RSPB.

More details can be found on the Newport City Council website:
(http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.pressrelease&contentid=CONT043465)