FORESTRY AND DIFFUSE POLLUTION RBMP Fishery workshop – East Deveron, Ythan, Don, Dee, Esks and Tay Fisheries Trusts Aberdeen, 27 June 2018 Jackie McColm SEPA

Housekeeping ! Toilets Fire alarms and nearest exits Food and drink Phones and devices Questions Slides will be posted online after the workshop

Workshop aims Explain water body classification and river basin planning Cross over with fishery management plans Highlight the role of fishery trusts in that process Explore the best information available and improving our evidence base Fishery trusts have the opportunity to get data in that leads to giving a pressure and a measure This is based on the best information we’ve got and if you can help us that’s great but it must be done through evidence, not hearsay We’d like to make as many links as possible to the Production of Fishery Management Plans, which Marine Scotland is running. Much of RBMP data could link across, particularly about pressures and impacts on the water environment.

River Basin Management Planning June 2018 FORESTRY AND DIFFUSE POLLUTION River Basin Management Planning June 2018 Carla McNeil RBMP Co-ordinator carla.mcneil@sepa.org.uk / Tel. 01698 839218 Lets get on with explaining what we do in terms of classification and river basin planning Jackie McColm SEPA

Scotland's greatest asset? FORESTRY AND DIFFUSE POLLUTION Environmental reputation is key for Scotland Social benefits - people are drawn to water for recreation, leisure and spiritual reasons. Economically important for business including food production, hydro, tourism We all appreciate the importance of the water environment and know that it underpins much of Scotland’s economy through food and drink production and tourism. We know that its important for recreation and spiritual renewal. And that as a resource for society, we have to use it effectively as championed in our ‘One Planet Prosperity’ approach. Scotland’s water environment is generally very good, which is why we have this important brand internationally But how do we know its good, say in comparison to other European countries? And what about the bits that aren’t good, that need improvement? Jackie McColm SEPA

RBMP – the journey so far The Water Framework Directive introduced a classification system for measuring the quality of our surface waters that not only took into account water quality, but also hydrology and physical habitat. The first river basin plans were produced in 2009 and many of you were involved through the Area Advisory Groups The second plans were produced in 2015

Scotland’s Second River Basin Plans Current state (classification) Impacts (pressures) Actions (measures) Outcomes (summary of objectives) WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE OUR WATER ENVIRONMENT Two plans covering Scotland – the Scotland RBD and Solway Tweed RBD (cross-border). Physical document is supported by a powerful online data tool called the Water Environment Hub , providing access to all our data at a range of scales from National to individual water bodies.Not a supporting web tool – this (plus the text) is the PLAN (and makes us legally compliant) The tool is simple to use, intuitive and we hope will be extremely useful for internal and external audience. Plan is made up of 4 main parts, plus several technical appendices for compliance purposes. Main parts are <<Read from slide>> All information that you will be able to find in the tool- classification pressures – based on theme/subtheme measures – high level objectives (2021 or 2027) LSO reasons filtering options [catchment, wb, PA, less than good, category] waterbody level information data download facility user testing is underway legal compliance

Working together to protect our water environment Water quality Physical condition Barriers to fish migration Water flows and levels Invasive non-native species The plans are set out in 5 themes: Water quality Physical condition Barriers to fish Flows & levels Invasive species

Where are we now? 2018 2020 Draft Third RBMPs 2020 2019 2015 2027 Delivery of RBMPs, Statement of Steps consultation, progress of measures reporting 2019 Consultation on significant water management issues and their measures 2015 Second RBMPs 2021 Third RBMPs Linking to OPP Sector plans Objective setting 2027 Where are we now? 2018 We are in the implementation phase of 2nd cycle Current condition report due by end of 2019 (but using 2017 classification results, as 2018 results won’t be issued early enough in 2019 to be considered for the report). Objective setting will be going on throughout 2019 and start of 2020 to get the Draft plans published by end of 2020 And final third plans published in 2021 2020 Draft Third RBMPs 2020 2019

Set improvement objectives Continuous cycle to improve the environment Monitor Classify Identify pressures Assign Owner Set improvement objectives Implement measure In order to have an objective in the river basin plan, there must be a pressure identified and a measure to improve that pressure. Eg. A river is showing poor water quality in monitoring results, indicating a diffuse pollution pressure. The measure is to address the diffuse pollution through improving agricultural practices, which is achieved through cycle 2 priority catchment work. Objective is, Good by 2021.

Condition of Water Bodies in 2014 This shows an overview for Scotland from the Water Environment Hub that is publically available online. This is RBMP2 and a snapshot from 2014 classification You can filter geographically and drill down to a fine level of detail

Overall for Scotland We can see the greatest challenge is from man made barriers to fish migration, affecting over 300 waterbodies But also we have around 250 waterbodies failing for physical condition – from historical engineering activities – and from rural diffuse pollution pressures In the first cycle we tackled quite effectively the major point source pollution issues so that these have largely been dealt with, and those issues remaining are part of a planned investment programme with Scottish Water Hydroelectiricity generation is being dealt with through a programme of reviews with the industry to assess where the ecological impacts are and implement improvements to flow accordingly, based on evidence of what is required to support healthy ecosytems

Action to deliver Priority catchments will expand significantly to address pollution from agri land Introduction of Focus areas where the DP pressure is not associated with intensive agriculture and so requires a different approach for low density sheep farming, septic tanks or forestry etc Physical condition improvements targeted in protected areas. Numerous studies to design and plan improvements will be necessary Similarly barriers that restrict or prevent fish migration will have studies carried out to assess options for easement or removal. Protected areas will be prioritised first. INNS work will continue, enforcing legislation, distributing biosecurity information and researching effective eradication methods.

How is this being delivered ? Scotland’s plan, not just SEPA! 2.5 years in Catchment working Increased delivery role for Responsible Authorities Develop new delivery frameworks and expand existing ones More tools… remedial measure notices, fixed monetary penalties etc