River basin management planning in the Solway Tweed river basin district: guidance

Step

Some key requirements of the transposing regulations

Requirements introduced by this guidance

Statement of steps and consultation measures
(known as the Plan of Action within the Solway Tweed RBD)

SEPA and EA must draft a joint statement setting out the timetable and consultation measures required and publish it for consultation by 22 December 2006 for 6 months, in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.

The drafting of the statement should take account of the advice of the Area Advisory Groups and other interested stakeholders.

Relevant government officials in Scotland and England should be given the opportunity to comment on the draft document prior to publication.

The Agencies should take responses from the consultation into account in their work towards production of the summary of significant water management issues, draft and first RBMPs.

Summary of significant water management issues ( SWMI)

SEPA and EA must draft a joint summary of the significant water management issues for the RBD and publish it for consultation by 22 December 2007 for 6 months, in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.

The Agencies should take account of the advice of the Area Advisory Groups and other interested stakeholders when preparing the document.

Relevant government officials in Scotland and England should be provided the opportunity to comment on the draft document concurrently with its release for comment by the area advisory groups prior to publication.

The agencies should take account of the comments from the consultation when developing the draft RBMP.

Draft River Basin Management Plan ( RBMP)

SEPA and EA must prepare the draft RBMP in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.
SEPA and EA must publish the draft RBMP for consultation by 22 December 2008 for 6 months in accordance with paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.

Relevant government officials in Scotland and England should be briefed on key issues in relation to the development of the draft RBMP that may require joint decision-making.

When preparing the plan, the Agencies shall identify and inform the Ministers of any significant issues (for instance, where there are disagreements between the Agencies, where action may be required by The Ministers, whether jointly or individually).

The Agencies should make the draft plan available for initial briefings of the Ministers at least three months prior to its release for consultation or concurrently with its release for comment by the area advisory groups prior to its publication.

The draft RBMP must detail the proposed objectives for 2015 and the summary of the programme of measures necessary to achieve these objectives. It should also provide workings and explanation for proposed objectives in the river basin district, including the consideration of alternative objectives to enable consultees to make informed responses to the consultation.

RBMP submission for approval

SEPA and EA must submit the RBMP to the Ministers for approval.

When submitting the plan to The Ministers, the Agencies must provide a summary of representations received from the consultation and of any changes made to the plan in light of the representations in accordance with paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.

The Agencies must jointly make copies of the submitted RBMP accessible to the public through their web-sites and at relevant offices and publicise these arrangements in accordance with paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.

In line with paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations, the Ministers are jointly responsible for considering the RBMP for the Solway Tweed RBD, using the mechanisms available to approve (in whole or part), amend or reject the plan.

The Agencies should make the revised RBMP plan available for initial briefings of the Ministers at least three months prior to its submission for approval.

As part of the summary of representations, the Agencies should advised of any significant issues raised during the consultation on the draft plan that the Agencies have been unable to resolve.

SEPA and EA must submit the RBMP for the first cycle, including proposals for environmental objectives and summary of programmes of measures, to Ministers for approval by 22 September 2009, in accordance with paragraphs 6(1) and 7(1) of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations and the direction issued at page 4 above.'

The Agencies should seek to promote agreement between relevant parties about the content of the RBMP which they submit for approval.

In considering the RBMP for the Solway Tweed RBD, the Ministers should consider whether:

• the RBMP has been prepared in accordance with the WFD, the transposition regulations and this (and any additional) guidance;
• the RBMP is proportionate and sustainable;
• the RBMP takes appropriate account of plans for adjacent RBDs in Scotland and England;
• the Agencies have made modifications to the RBMP to comply with any Ministerial direction in relation to the RBMP.

Publication of RBMP, once approved.

SEPA and EA must publish the approved RBMP by 22 December 2009 in accordance with paragraph 10(3) of Schedule 1 to the transposing regulations.

Submission of UK RBMPs to European Commission.

Secretary of State must submit UK RBMPs to European Commission by 22 March 2010.

SEPA and EA must support the compilation and entry of data into European reporting systems for the Solway Tweed RBD.

Progress report on implementation of programme of measures

Secretary of State must submit UK interim reports for Solway Tweed RBD (and other RBDs) to European Commission by 22 December 2012.

SEPA and EA should submit the draft interim report for the Solway Tweed RBD describing progress in the implementation of the planned programme of measures to the Ministers by 22 September 2012.

SEPA and EA must jointly support the compilation and entry of data into European reporting systems on progress of implementation of programme of measures for the Solway Tweed RBD.