1. River Basin Planning & Flood Risk Management in Scotland
Dr Roy Richardson, SEPA 6

2. summary morphology characterisation
roles & responsibilities in scotland
wfd & flood risk management
rbmps & links to flood risk management
work to address gaps & maximise opportunities
floods bill consultation
restoration measures

3. characterisation of morphology
river water bodies NOT at risk:
pollution: 72%
water resources: 73%
morphology: 66%

4. Morphological Impact Assessment System
Compare outputs from MImAS with Env. Std. to inform regulatory decision

5. database of pressures and river types

6. examples of risk from MImAS
active gravel bed
river (type c)
2.4 km
embankments
1.2 km
channel
diversion
2 km
dredging
1.5 km
floodwalls

7. flood risk management & morphology
34% river water bodies affected by morphology pressures
5% river water bodies affected by flood defence or land drainage activities – approx km of rivers
227 provisonal HMWBs in Scotland
54 identified due to land drainage, flood risk management or urban development

8. river basin management plans
duty to promote
sustainable flood management

10. natural flood management
River Spey – Insh Marshes
River Devon

11. roles & responsibilities: flood risk
local authorities: flood protection in urban areas, development control, maintenance of watercourses, emergency response
scottish water: surface water drainage, management of storage
sepa: flood warning, flood risk advice, flood risk maps, awareness raising, regulation
hydro-electric: management of storage, provision of flood warning
scottish government: policy and legislation; provision of funding
land owners: land drainage

12. roles & responsibilities: links
local authorities: flood protection in urban areas, development control, maintenance of watercourses, emergency response
scottish water: surface water drainage, management of storage
sepa: flood warning, flood risk advice, flood risk maps, awareness raising, regulation
hydro-electric: management of storage, provision of flood warning
scottish government: policy and legislation; provision of funding
land owners: land drainage

13. roles & responsibilities: links
policy and legislation
provision of funding
flood protection in urban areas
maintenance of watercourses
management of storage
regulation
land drainage

14. improve modified habitats
delivery mechanisms
many potential delivery instruments
grant schemes
rural development plans
remove existing impacts
adjust maintenance practice
regulate
dredging
improve flow regulation
control new modifications
re-engineer channels
measures
uncertainty over gaps/effectiveness of instruments
improve modified habitats
education and training
lack a clear framework for planning and prioritising restoration measures
controlled activities regulations
codes of practice
lack of strategic flood risk management planning in scotland
area advisory groups
action by responsible authorities

15. floods bill consultation
Area Flood Risk Management Plans will set the strategic framework for flood risk management in Scotland. These plans will coordinate flood management objectives and set the framework in which measures are delivered or planned for at a local level. The Competent Authority will be responsible for producing these plans.
Local Flood Risk Management Plans will translate the objectives set out in the Area Flood Management Plans into specific measures or combinations of measures to address flood risk. Where necessary, supplemental plans may be required to coordinate delivery of measures, these could include Integrated Urban Drainage Plans or Forestry Plans. It is proposed that Local Authorities will be responsible for producing these plans.
scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/

16. floods bill consultation
Area Flood Risk Management Plans will set the strategic framework for flood risk management in Scotland. These plans will coordinate flood management objectives and set the framework in which measures are delivered or planned for at a local level. The Competent Authority will be responsible for producing these plans.
scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/02/

17. restoration measures – proposal for a policy and funding framework
what’s being considered?
gaps in powers/instruments/funds to deliver measures
options to address gaps
principles to underpin catchment planning of remedial measures
a prioritisation framework for planning and delivering measures
national pilot schemes for inclusion in 1st RBMP 1.

18. framework for planning and delivering measures
Forestry
Changes interact across the catchment to create the conditions at a particular location
Measures must be planned/prioritised to deliver cost effective and lasting improvements
Loss of upland
forests to grazing
Culverting for
land gain
Mining activity and
channel diversion
Gravel
abstraction
Agricultural
encroachment
on channel
Reservoir
Reservoir
Urban development:
Channelisation,
floodwalls
Embankment for
flood defence
Channel
straightening

19. technical prioritisation
aim 1- restore longitudinal connectivity
aim 2- mitigate catchment pressures
aim 3- restore/manage riparian zone
aim 4- reconnect floodplain
aim 5- restore/enhance reaches and habitats

20. trailing project SEPA led and Scottish Government funded project to:
test a prioritisation process
assess ability of current mechanisms to deliver measures
assess cost of delivering measures
based on 4 trial catchments
steering group comprising WWF, RSPB, SNH
may lead to national pilot schemes

21. eddleston water
peebles
river
tweed

22. must be realistic….. …but ambitious
appreciate scale and complexity of task
recognise current gaps in knowledge and methods to deliver measures
adopt long-term plans
take advantage of opportunities
learn by doing, and adapt
…but ambitious