Lessons learned from public consultation under WFD and proposed recommendations for the future Dr Claire Cockerill WWF Northern Ireland

Overview Public Participation requirements in WFD/MSFD Lessons from the WFD implementation in NI WWF’s RIPPLE Project Recommendations

Directive Requirements on Public Participation Article 14 of the WFD requires Member States to: “encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive, in particular in the production, review and updating of the river basin management plans Article 19 of the MSFD requires Member States to “ensure that all interested parties are given early and effective opportunities to participate in the implementation of this Directive”. Public Consultation versus Active Public Engagement

Lessons Learned from Public Consultation under WFD in NI

Created 26 Local Management Area Plans Information at a local level to engage stakeholders Created 9 Catchment Stakeholder Groups Local engagement for two way feedback Created 9 Catchment Officers Local coordinators to link grass roots action with top level management Working in Partnerships Lessons Learned from Public Participation under WFD in NI

Rivers Involving People, Places and Leading by Example The Ballinderry River County Tyrone/Londonderry Neagh-Bann IRBD Environmental Protection: ASSI and SAC WWF working with BREA Funding from HLF Ballinderry River Cookstown

RIPPLE’s Aims Model of best practice in participatory river basin planning and implementation Provide interpretation of Art 14 in WFD Timed to contribute to WFD implementation Reconnect people with their local river Demonstrate what a local community can achieve when given the opportunity

A Community River Plan Public engagement with help of Rural Community Network Over 300 people contributed to the visions Creating a vision for the river Better access Better understanding of the river environment A clean river More wildlife

A Plan of Action Created an action plan to achieve the visions 115 actions prioritised by the community 29 prioritised as those most important and achievable

The Action Plan Full plan lists actions, steps required, others who should be involved, indicators of success A timeframe is included Builds upon the diverse knowledge, skills, hobbies and interests

Implementing the Action Plan –Actions adopted by RIPPLE Champions –Champions ensure actions are progressed –Creates ownership and drive –Advisory network assists the community –Comprises representatives from government departments, the local council and NGOs –Provide information and support for sound, informed decisions

Communication –Newsletters –Website –Local press –River events, eg. River Clean ups –Banks of the Ballinderry Fair

Outputs of RIPPLE Successful engagement of active participants in WFD implementation process Informing the government LMA Action Plan Providing additional resources and source for attracting additional funding Supplementing government information Helping to foster mutually beneficial working relationships Government acknowledge as best practice and are replicating approach across Northern Ireland

Recommendations Active public engagement connects the community to policy issues Unleashes potential resources that exist in the community To ensure public buy in, keep information local, simple and relevant Clarify objectives and create shared goals Plans should clearly map actions to targets, assign roles and prioritise actions Create ownership and structure to drive and sustain engagement 2-way feedback to acknowledge, reward, sustain participation Effective coordination facilitates action and communication