Scotland is divided into three River Basin Districts. One lies wholly within Scotland the other two span the border with England. For general information about river basin planning see:
This lies wholly within Scotland and has been designated by Scottish Ministers through the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003. (WEWS). See SSI 2003 No. 610:
SEPA has published a strategy for the Scotland River Basin District (River Basin Planning Strategy for the Scotland River Basin District) to lead and inform river basin planning in this area:
Establish effective and efficient administrative arrangements and working principles to support RBMP production
Deliver opportunities for participation and consultation
Integrate and coordinate River Basin Management Planning with other plans and planning
The Solway Tweed River Basin District
The Solway Tweed River Basin District has been designated through The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Solway Tweed River Basin District) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/99).
This River Basin District spans the border with England and the general responsibility for ensuring that the Directive is given effect in relation to the district is placed on the Secretary of State and the Scottish Ministers, acting jointly. SEPA and the Environment Agency, as Competent Authorities, are jointly responsible for co-ordinating the basin planning process. Each agency is responsible for regulation on their side of the national border.
SEPA is responsible for co-ordinating the basin planning process in the Scotland River Basin District and for co-ordinating this jointly with the Environment Agency in the Solway Tweed. They have worked together to produce a joint river basin planning strategy entitled River Basin Planning Framework for the Solway Tweed River Basin District:
The Northumbria River Basin District has been designated through The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Northumbria River Basin District) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/3245). The Regulations have been issued to adapt the WFD Regulations for England and Wales and the WEWS Act so that the WFD’s requirements are met for the District.
This River Basin District is partly in England and partly in Scotland and was drawn up to include the Scottish tributaries of the River Tyne. It will be predominantly the responsibility of the Environment Agency, though SEPA will contribute as required.
