Memorandum submitted by the Scottish Environment
Protection Agency (SEPA)
Thank you for the opportunity to submit evidence
for the above inquiry. As the transposition of the Water Framework
Directive is a devolved matter, it would not be appropriate for
SEPA to comment on the position in England. As a consequence,
our contribution is limited to a general statement about the benefits,
which we consider will be delivered by the Directive.
1.1 The Scottish Environment Protection
Agency (SEPA) believes that the Water Framework Directive represents
the most important piece of legislation relating to the water
environment yet to emerge from the European Community.
1.2 The Directive introduces a number of
important changes to the way the water environment is managed.
Specifically, it establishes objectives designed to protect and,
where necessary, restore the water environment, and thereby safeguard
the sustainable use of water resources. It requires these objectives
to be set and achieved within a new system of river basin management
planning.
1.3 SEPA strongly believes that River Basin
Management Planning will promote collaboration between public
bodies so that they develop common plans for delivering environmental
improvement. In addition, SEPA believes that the level of public
participation required by the Directive will ensure that the plans
are well founded and realistic. The Directive requires the planning
process to explicitly consider the most cost-effective means of
delivering environmental improvements. In Scotland, it will be
the first time that the full range of relevant public bodies have
been involved in the development of a national approach to delivering
improvements in the water environment. SEPA has no doubt that
the implementation of the WFD will improve the manner in which
environmental protection is provided. The consequence will be
the delivery of major improvements in the water environment of
Scotland.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
20 September 2002
| 
