INDEX

Consultation

UK NEWS

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

PROJECTS

PUBLICATIONS

EVENTS

 

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

 

CONSULTATIONS

Draft Environment Agency drought plans

Environment Agency Consultation

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The purpose of this consultation is to share Agency’s plans for drought management across England and Wales and gather people’s views on how they intend to respond to the impact of drought.

The consultation is opened from 12 September 2011 to 28 October 2011.

To view the draft drought plans and for further details and information how to respond visit the Agency website:
(https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/drought/plans)

 

Groundwater Protection: Principles and Practice (GP3)
– A consultation on parts 4 and 5

Environment Agency Consultation

(Posted 28 October 2011)

GP3 documents describe how the Agency manages and protects groundwater now and for the future.  The Agency intends GP3 to be used by anyone interested in groundwater and particularly those proposing an activity that may cause groundwater impacts.  The documents may also need to be used by anyone applying for an environmental permit to carry out an activity that may impact on groundwater. The Agency also uses these documents internally to help them to make decisions. They have revised the Groundwater Protection Principles, under Part 4 of GP3 as a result of legislative changes and this is now opened for an online consultation for 12 weeks.  In addition, they are inviting comments on six documents that will form Part 5, supporting guidance and interpretation of the agency’s positions.

The consultation is opened from 04 October 2011 to 23 December 2011.

To view the documents and for further details and information how to respond visit the Agency website:
(https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/waterqual/gp3/water)

 

changes to major charging schemes for 2012 to 2015

Environment Agency Consultation

(Posted 28 October 2011)

This consultation covers the Environment Agency’s charging proposals for Environmental Permitting, abstraction and Emissions Trading charging schemes from 2012-2015. They are seeking views from charge payers, trade associations and other interested parties on the major proposals, which are:

  • No change to the rate of charges for the majority of charge payers for two years with a check at the end of the first year (this does not include abstraction charges)
  • A small number of technical changes that are largely beneficial to industry
  • A small increase in charges in year 3

They propose to increase abstraction charges each year to fund specific cost pressures.

The consultation is opened from 28 September 2011 to 21 December 2011.

To view the documents and for further details and information how to respond visit the Agency website:
(https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/ho/finance/charges2012)

 

Delivering Scotland's River Basin Management Plans: An Integrated Approach to the Protection of Shellfish Growing Waters

The Scottish Government Consultation

(Posted 28 October 2011)

Together these proposals aim to introduce an integrated framework for the protection of shellfish waters. This offers an opportunity to integrate the aims of the Shellfish Waters Directive within a wider RBMP implementation framework.

This consultation has two purposes.

  • It sets out the findings of the most recent review of designated shellfish waters around Scotland and makes proposals for updating designations
  • It sets out some proposals for a more integrated approach to the protection of shellfish waters beyond 2013.

These proposals also aim to improve the links between the protection of shellfish waters and the requirements of the EU food hygiene regulations; and set out links to the National Marine Plan. The consultation will close 27 December 2011.

For further information and to view the consultation document visit the Scottish Government website:
(http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/10/03120828/0)

 

UK NEWS       

Water complaints in scotland transfered to SPSO

spso-plaque

(Posted 28 October 2011)

Waterwatch Scotland closed on 15 August 2011. The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 transferred the complaints handling function of Waterwatch Scotland to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) and the customer representation function of Waterwatch Scotland to Consumer Focus Scotland. Please note that Consumer Focus Scotland does not deal directly with customer complaints or resolve individual matters.

For further information visit the SPSO website:  (http://www.spso.org.uk/)

 

CAMERAS — A Co–ordinated Agenda for Marine, Environment and Rural Affairs Science in Scotland

A New Website

(Posted 28 October 2011)

CAMERAS was created as an agenda to ensure that our marine, environment and rural science in Scotland supports the Government’s single purpose of ‘creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth’.

Recently CAMERAS announced the publication of two reports:

  • Focus on Freshwater Science – sets out the objectives and priorities required to ensure the delivery of science to restore and sustain the freshwater ecosystems of Scotland so that they can enhance the economies they support
  • Scottish Marine Science Strategy 2010-2015 – sets out the high level priorities and objectives needed to ensure that marine science in Scotland supports the Government’s single purpose of “creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth”

For further information visit the CAMERAS’ website: (http://www.camerasscotland.org/)

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Environmental information network extends across Europe, Central Asia and Russian Federation

(Posted 28 October 2011)

Government ministers and delegates from 53 countries agreed to extend the European network for sharing environmental information across the pan-European region. The commitment was made at the seventh Ministerial Environment for Europe summit in Astana, Kazakhstan in September 2011. Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) is a system for bringing together huge volumes of data and information from governments, scientific organisations, businesses and citizens. The European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Commission and Member States have been using the ideas underpinning SEIS to gather data over the last 5 years. In the Ministerial Declaration, the EEA was given the mandate to develop the future of environmental reporting in the region.

For full text of the press release visit the EEA website:
(http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/environmental-information-network-extends-across)

 

Charles River wins 2011 Thiess International Riverprize!

(Posted 28 October 2011)

International RiverFoundation (IRF) awarded the Charles River Watershed Association, USA, the 2011 Thiess International Riverprize, for excellence in river management. Under the direction of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA), the Charles River has made a remarkable recovery from the 1950s when sewage and paint were discharged into the river. The Charles River now boasts better river health after the implementation of sustainable river management including innovative stormwater management and water-sensitive urban development. The award was presented at the Riverprize Gala Dinner, Brisbane, Australia.  IRF awarded the National Riverprize to the Sunshine Coast Rivers Initiative (coordinated by the Sunshine Coast Council and Partners) for excellence in improving river health and engaging numerous communities in the Sunshine Coast region.

For more details visit the IRF website:  (http://www.riverfoundation.org.au/)

 

Legal proposals for the CAP after 2013

The Common Agricultural Policy after 2013

(Posted 28 October 2011)

On 12 October 2011 the Commission presented a set of legal proposals designed to make the CAP a more effective policy for a more competitive and sustainable agriculture and vibrant rural areas. The European Commission’s proposals for a reform of the CAP after 2013 aim to strengthen the competitiveness and the sustainability of agriculture and maintain its presence in all regions, in order to guarantee European citizens healthy and quality food production, to preserve the environment and to help develop rural areas.

The legal proposals are accompanied by an impact assessment that evaluates alternative scenarios for the evolution of the policy on the basis of extensive quantitative and qualitative analysis.

For further information visit the European Commission website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/cap-post-2013/legal-proposals/index_en.htm)

The UK wants farm subsidies to steadily reduce in order to improve value for the taxpayer and help farming become more competitive to meet future demand for food as the global population increases. But the Commission’s proposal yesterday is based on a CAP budget frozen for 2014 to 2020, at £47 billion a year. The UK also wants farmers’ valuable protection of the countryside to be better rewarded through targeted payments.

Full text of the statement of Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman is available on the Defra website:
(http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/10/13/cap-reform-should-go-further/)

 

The European Commission asks Germany to apply cost recovery obligations to all water services

(Posted 28 October 2011)

One of the measures to achieve the WFD objectives is the obligation to adopt a cost recovery policy for water services that includes the environmental and resource costs of water use, taking into account the "polluter-pays" principle. Germany is of the opinion that cost recovery should apply only to the supply of drinking water and the disposal and treatment of wastewater. The Commission however sees water services as a wider notion that also includes water abstraction for the cooling of industrial installations, for irrigation in agriculture, and others. The Commission is concerned with Germany's interpretation of the key notion of water services, which could lead to inadequate cost recovery and water pricing under German law. Germany has two months to respond, after which the Commission may refer the case to the European Court of Justice. The Commission is currently investigating similar concerns in other Member States and will propose appropriate action if required.

Full text of the press release (29 September 2011) is available on the Europa website:
(http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1101&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

 

the second announcement of the 6th World Water Forum has been published

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The International Forum Committee published the second announcement of the 6th World Water Forum, Marseille 2012. The 6th World Water Forum - Time for Solutions – is a platform for the international water community to discuss and show how to contribute to facing the major world water-related challenges, from access to water for all and everyone, to climate change and food security.

The Forum’s programme is guided by the Forum’s 12 priorities for action (PFA) and 3 conditions for success (CS), which have been translated in concrete thematic targets.

For further information and to view the second announcement visit the Forum website:
(http://www.worldwaterforum6.org/en/news/single/article/the-second-announcement-is-on-line/)

 

PROJECTS

The European Water Stewardship (EWS) Launch

‘A vision becomes reality’

24 November 2011, Brussels, Belgium

(Posted 28 October 2011)

This high-level event will provide a platform for representatives from civil society, business, agriculture and the European institutions to discuss and identify common opportunities or challenges in order to take concrete steps towards sustainable water management (SWM). Within the frame of the European Water Partnership (EWP) Program “Aquawareness” and based on the Water Vision for Europe, which has been elaborated in a previous multi-stakeholder process, the Water Stewardship Program aims to:

  • Set sights on changing behaviour and practices towards SWM
  • Shape and integrate water issues into other policy and strategy agendas
  • Create a water saving and efficiency culture among private, industrial, business and agricultural users
  • Support the shift from supply management to a balanced supply and demand management through information, education and training.

It is the goal of the EWS Program to provide a tool to change behaviour and practices towards SWM to all water users. This tool shall support the existing legal processes, initiate private actions via independent guidance and provide positive incentives for SWM.

During two pilot rounds (2010-2011) in industry and agriculture, the European Water Stewardship (EWS) Standard has been approved as applicable and robust tool to develop integrated water management response strategies. Based on the feedback from practitioners and from technical experts, the preliminary (and 4th) version of the EWS standard has been put out for final public consultation. The deadline for submission of comments is 07 November 2011.

For further information on the EWS launch and on the Program visit the EWP website:
(http://www.ewp.eu/activities/water-stewardship/project-communication-swm/)

 

Envirobase (beta) launched to replace the Environmental Research Database

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The Environmental Research Database has now been combined with the UK Environmental Observation Framework’s (UK-EOF) database to form Envirobase, a single repository for information on both research and observation activities. Envirobase holds information on over 22,000 environmental research and observation activities, programmes and data sources provided by public sector funders and voluntary organisations. It is a public resource from the Living With Environmental Change partnership.

To access the database visit the Envirobase website: (http://www.environmentalresearch.info/)

 

PRESS - PEER Research on EcoSystem Services

A New Report: Spatial Assessment of Ecosystem Services in Europe: Methods, Case Studies and Policy Analysis – Phase I

(Posted 28 October 2011)

PRESS, PEER Research on EcoSystem Services, is a project set up by PEER, the Partnership for European Environmental Research, to examine some of the knowledge gaps that exist in assessing ecosystem services in Europe. PEER is a partnership of seven of the largest European environmental centres founded in 2001 with the aim of combining forces to follow a joint strategy in environmental sciences and to enhance research on ecological sustainability. The report includes an analysis of policy options, which shows that the perception of what services are provided by ecosystems varies according to the respondents, the geographical characteristics of the regions and the scales of decision-making.

For more information on the project and to download the report visit the PEER website: (http://www.peer.eu/projects/press/)

 

Thames and Ganges twinning project launched

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The River Thames in the UK will twin with the River Ganges in India in a £210,000 initiative to develop new ways of involving local people in protecting rivers and their wildlife. The River Thames was the winner of the Theiss International Riverprize in 2010, due to its clean up since the 1950s. The International Riverprize exists to help restore damaged rivers around the world. The Thames Rivers Restoration Trust will use the prize money to run the Thames and Ganges twinning project.

For further information visit the Thames Rivers Restoration Trust website: (http://www.trrt.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15958)

 

Fobney Island river and wetland project is launched

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The Thames Rivers Restoration Trust has joined forces with Reading Borough Council, Thames Water and the Environment Agency to transform Fobney Island, in Reading into a wetland haven for nature in a £500,000 facelift.

For further information visit the Thames Rivers Restoration Trust website:  (http://www.trrt.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15964)

 

Delivering Healthy Water: Building the Science-Policy Interface to Protect Bathing Water Quality

(Posted 28 October 2011)

This NERC funded Knowledge Exchange (KE) project is designed to exchange knowledge between science providers and users relating to cutting-edge research in microbial quantification techniques for regulatory monitoring of bathing waters. The18-months project, led by the University of Stirling and supported by Lancaster University and Aberystwyth University, will bring together cross-disciplinary expertise from academic, regulatory, and policy communities and interested organisations and campaign groups concerned with protecting and securing safe bathing water quality.

Full text of a press release on the inception meeting, held at the Lancaster Environment Centre on 11 October 2011 is available on Catchment Change Network website:
(http://www.catchmentchange.net/news/delivering-healthy-water-building-the-science-policy-interface-to-protect-bathing-water-quality)

 

River improvements benefit wildlife in Sheffield

(Posted 28 October 2011)

Environment Agency staff have been working on the River Sheaf in Sheffield to help improve habitat for fish and aquatic life. Contractors have been working near Heeley Bridge, removing one of the weirs and constructing a channel to make it easier for fish to navigate up the river in low flows. The project is funded by money from the Water Framework Directive. The Environment Agency receives money from the government to implement this directive. As a result of this funding, it has invested £20,000 into this work at Heeley Bridge.

Full text of the press release is available on the Environment Agency website:
(http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/134206.aspx)

 

Thames21 - Volunteering Opportunities in 2011

(Updated 28 October 2011)

Thames21 is an environmental charity working with communities to bring London's waterways to life. Thames21 mobilise thousands of volunteers every year to clean up waterside grot-spots, remove graffiti and create new habitats for wildlife.

The calendar of activities until the end of 2011 is available on the Thames21 website:
(http://www.thames21.org.uk/events.html)

 

URSULA – urban river corridors and sustainable living agendas

Final URSULA conference: Integrating Multiple Facets of River Corridor Development

(Updated 28 October 2011)

The research addresses the hypothesis that there are significant social, economic and environmental gains to be made by integrated and innovative interventions in urban river corridors. The project URSULA tackles river corridor issues holistically by treating the river and its urban setting as a system.

The URSULA final conference will take place on 17 and 18 November 2011 in Sheffield.

To register for the conference and for further details visit the project’s website: (http://www.ursula.ac.uk/)

 

PUBLICATIONS

From catchment to customer – can upstream catchment management deliver a better deal for water customers and the environment?

Ofwat Report, September 2011, 24 pages

(Posted 28 October 2011)

This Ofwat focus report describes some of the catchment management approaches companies are trialling to prevent or reduce diffuse pollution and the issues that need addressing in order for customers to benefit from them.

The report is available online at the Ofwat website: (http://www.ofwat.gov.uk/sustainability/prs_web1109catchment)

 

Water Sensitive Cities

Editors Carol Howe and Cynthia Mitchell
IWA Publishing, publication date 21 Oct 2011, 304 pages
ISBN: 9781843393641

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The book has been developed from selected papers from 2009 Singapore Water Week “Planning for Sustainable Solutions” and also papers taken from other IWA events. It pulls together material that supports the water professionals’ need for useful and up-to-date material.

For further information visit the publisher’s website:  (http://www.iwapublishing.com/template.cfm?name=isbn9781843393641)

 

Water and Energy

Strategic vision and research needs

WssTP Publication, September 2011

(Posted 28 October 2011)

This publication is a result of work undertaken by the Task Force on “Water and Energy”, which was created last year. The European Water supply and sanitation Technology Platform (WssTP) is one of the technology platforms (ETPs) set up within the European Environmental Technology Action Plan (ETAP) adopted by the European Commission in 2004. The platform aims to federate water stakeholders across sectors and disciplines to improve coordination and collaboration around the development of joined technological solutions, for sustainable and integrated water resources management (IWRM).

To download the report and for more information on the WssTP activities visit the WssTP website:
(http://www.wsstp.eu/content/default.asp?PageId=750&LanguageId=0)

 

Resource efficiency in Europe — Policies and approaches in 31 EEA member and cooperating countries

EEA Report No 5/2011

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The report, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA), reviews national approaches to resource efficiency and explores similarities and differences in policies, strategies, indicators and targets, policy drivers and institutional setup and information gaps. It concludes with some EEA considerations for future policies on resource efficiency, which could be considered in developing future resource efficiency policies at the EU and country levels. The survey shows that resource efficiency is a policy priority for Europe. However, across the region there are many different approaches to ‘doing more with less’, from efficient water use to quitting fossil fuels.

The report is available to download at the EEA website:
(http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/publications/resource-efficiency-in-europe/)

Full text of the press release is available on the EEA website: (http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/from-efficient-water-use-to)

 

Water and Climate Dialogue

Adapting to Climate Change: Why We Need Broader and 'Out-of-the-Box' Approaches

UNECSO WWAP Briefing Note, 2011

(Posted 28 October 2011)

This briefing note is based on a stakeholder dialogue organized by the UN World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) at the Dialogs for Water and Climate and Climate Change (D4CC) during the 16th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 16), held in Cancun, Mexico from November 29 to December 10, 2010. The note aims to bring the water agenda more fully into the international debate on the impacts of climate change. The interconnections between water and climate are complex and not isolated from other forces, pressures and opportunities generated primarily by human activities. The note summarizes the broad scientific consensus on the potential impact of climate change on water resources and water users as well as helps us understand the environmental, social and economic implications. The note also promotes the urgent need for adaptation in the management of water.

The document is available for download at the UNESCO website:
(http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/water/single-view-fresh-water/news/water_and_climate_dialogue_adapting_to_climate_change_why_we_need_broader_and_out_of_the_box_approaches/)

 

EVENTS

The Rivers Trust Autumn Conference

Hosted by the Wye & Usk Foundation

14 - 15 September 2011, Builth Wells, Powys

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The conference, hosted by the Wye & Usk Foundation (WUF), focused on Catchment Management issues in Wales, and showcased the WUF Irfon Special Area of Conservation (ISAC) EU Life+ Project. The project features a huge variety of restoration methods from work in the acidified tributaries, through stream habitat improvements and protection and restoration of Special Area of Conservation (SAC) species. Speakers from the Environment Agency Wales and England, the RSPB, the National Museum of Wales and the University of Cardiff also provided informative briefings with speakers from MulkearLIFE in Limerick, South Ireland, the Westcountry Rivers Trust, the Countryside Council for Wales and Afonydd Cymru.

The presentations are available to download from the Association of Rivers Trusts website:
(http://www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk/news/seminars/autumn_2011/index.htm)

 

Third Sector GB Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) & Biosecurity Conference

A strategy for tackling aquatic and riparian INNS

7 June 2011, Fishmongers’ Hall, London

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The conference was co-hosted by Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland (RAFTS) and Association of River Trusts (ART) and sponsored by The Fishmongers’ Company. Sessions introduced and outlined the INNS problem and provided case studies and examples of work already being undertaken by Rivers and Fisheries Trusts and associated third sector organisations. Government and its agencies were invited to support a UK wide strategy for the introduction of biosecurity measures and plan for the management of aquatic and riparian INNS to be delivered in a third sector partnership based on a strategic catchment approach in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive, Habitats Directive and Convention on Biodiversity.

Details of the programme and presentations from the conference are available to download from the ART website:
(http://www.associationofriverstrusts.org.uk/news/seminars/inns_june_2011/inns_june_2011_index.htm)

 

Contaminated Ground, Contaminated Groundwater?

The UK Groundwater Forum’s 2011 conference

24 May 2011, Burlington House, London

(Posted 28 October 2011)

The UK Groundwater Forum’s 2011 conference was held jointly with the Hydrogeological Group of the Geological Society and considered the on-going and future challenges for groundwater management, protection and remediation resulting from land contamination. The UK continues to have a significant legacy of land contamination caused by a wide-range of polluting activities occurring over the last 200 years or more. This contamination poses a significant threat to groundwater as well as the wider environment and human health.

Presentations from the conference are available to download at the UK Groundwater Forum website:
(http://www.groundwateruk.org/Contaminated-land-Contaminated-Groundwater.aspx)