Flood Risk Management In Scotland: Setting Objectives and Selecting Measures

Scottish Government Responsible for environment & flooding issues Transposed Floods Directive Policy framework as in most member states, no single body responsible for FRM

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment Flood Risk & Hazard Maps Flood Risk Management Plans Flood Warning Flood Risk Advice River Basin Management Plans

Local Authorities 32 Local Authorities in Scotland Responsible for inspection and maintenance of watercourses Powers & funding to undertake flood protection works Responsible for road drainage Key roles in land use planning and emergency response picture complicated by need to work with 32 local authorities in Scotland – who are responsible for much of the delivery of FRM measures in Scotland. Importantly, also have key local accountability through local government.

Scottish Water 1 Municipal Water Authority Responsible for buildings drainage (typ. up to 1 in 30 years) and sewerage network Duty to undertake assessment of flood risk from sewerage network Leading 6 integrated catchment studies in main urban areas

General Duties Integrate and coordinate flood risk related functions Aim to reduce overall flood risk Aim to achieve objectives set out in Flood Risk Management Plans All responsible bodies have been given general duties under FRM Act.

National Flood Risk Assessment 125,000 properties at risk 1 in 22 homes at risk 1 in 13 businesses £720m to £850m average annual damages

125,000 properties. 1 in 22 homes, 1 in 13 properties Available online

Off the back of the NFRA, SEPA identified 243 PVAs PVAs cover 90% of flooding impacts. PVAs are focus of subsequent more detailed modelling and assessment that will inform FRM strategies and Local FRM plans.

FRM Plans 14 Local Plan Districts Not river basin districts. LPDs 1 to 12 form the Scotland RBD, and 13 & 14 are part of the Solway-Tweed RBD.

FRM Planning framework 2011 2013 2016 Local partnerships Partnership working between local authorities, Scottish Water and SEPA Maps and Assessments Identify main sources of flood risk and their impacts Develop information about catchments and coasts Flood Risk Management Strategies Main hazards and impacts Catchment information Objectives for reducing risk Best combination of actions to achieve objectives Produced by SEPA, within local partnerships Local Flood Risk Management Plans Action delivery – what, when, who Funding arrangements Actions for surface water management Covers each six year period Produced by lead local authority, within local partnerships National and local advisory groups Consultation with wider stakeholders 1.

Appraisal process: key stages Define the problem Mapping and assessments 5. Prioritise Measures Agreement with funding bodies 2. Set Objectives Avoid, Protect, Prepare 3. Identify Measures Selecting and screening What’s practical and feasible? 4. Appraise Measures Assess costs and benefits 12

Mapping and assessments Define the problem Mapping and assessments 2. Set Objectives Avoid, Protect, Prepare 2. Set Objectives 13

Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely Example OBJECTIVES AVOID Avoid increasing the number of properties at risk PROTECT Reduce likelihood of flooding to homes, businesses, and infrastructure PREPARE Increase number of people covered by flood warning Increase number of properties with resilience measures Improve resilience to flooding Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely Want objectives to be simple and clear, so that partners and people can engage with them and the planning process. They’ll provide a vision for FRM which will underpin the required partnership working.

What’s practical and feasible? Mapping & Assessment 2. Set Objectives 3. Identify Measures What’s practical and feasible? 4. Appraisal of Measures evaluate impacts 15

Appraise Measures Assess subset of measures using a number of criteria adaptability to climate change Key economic criteria – whole life costs, cost-benefit ratio Flood Risk Impacts – economic, social and environmental criteria Other wider social and environmental impacts No weightings or formula – judgement/discussion will be key to decision making Appraisal will be carried out against 5 options A number of measures will be included in the plans as a matter of policy and agreement between partners, or to reflect statutory responsibilities.

Appraise Measures Assess subset of measures using a number of criteria adaptability to climate change Key economic criteria – whole life costs, cost-benefit ratio Flood Risk Impacts – economic, social and environmental criteria Other wider social and environmental impacts No weightings or formula – judgement/discussion will be key to decision making Appraisal will be carried out against 5 options A number of measures will be included in the plans as a matter of policy and agreement between partners, or to reflect statutory responsibilities.

Strategic Appraisal Measures Options Hierarchy Property relocation Asset Management Flood Forecasting & Warning Property level protection Natural Flood Management Other Flood Protection Works Do Nothing Do Minimum Reduce risk through investment in non-structural measures (flood warning, property resilience) In addition to non-structural measures, reduce risk through use of Natural Flood Management In addition to above, reduce risk through use of other engineered solutions 1

Identification of most sustainable combination of measures to reduce flood risk in PVAs Will likely be a combination of Measures

Agreement with funding bodies Mapping & Assessment 5. Prioritise Measures Agreement with funding bodies 2. Set Objectives 3. Identify Measures What’s practical and feasible? 4. Appraisal of Measures Costs and Benefits 20

www.sepa.org.uk/flooding