UK Technical Advisory Group Horizontal Guidance on Wetlands A UK View Peter Pollard UK Technical Advisory Group

river basin management planning Nature of the guidance Signposting how river basin management planning fit in to wetlands

Objectives & definitions Surface water bodies Groundwater bodies River water bodies Lake water bodies Transitional water bodies Coastal water bodies Quality and quantity needs of directly dependent terrestrial ecosystems, and associated surface water bodies Protected Areas Objectives and standards that are dependent on the management of water bodies “The Directive’s objectives of protecting, enhancing or restoring surface water status ONLY apply to bodies of surface water - lakes, rivers, transitional waters, and stretches of coastal water.” “Its groundwater status objectives ONLY apply to bodies of groundwater.”

Where are the wetlands? Rivers Terrestrial ecosystems directly dependent on groundwater for their water needs Lakes Hydromorphological quality elements of surface water bodies Transitional & coastal waters

Surface water bodies include hydromorphological quality elements One element = Structure & condition of riparian zone, shore zone or intertidal zone ………that is needed to support the biological quality elements “For some water bodies, the structure and condition of wetlands in the riparian, shore or intertidal zones will be important for supporting the achievement of the good status values for the biological quality elements”

Recommendations on Section 2.1 Do present a ‘working definition’ of wetlands Some kinds of lake water bodies? Some kinds of river water bodies? Some kinds of transitional water bodies? Some kinds of coastal water bodies? The Directive’s objectives for surface water bodies will apply The Directive’s objectives for bodies of groundwater will apply Some kinds of terrestrial ecosystems that are directly dependent on bodies of groundwater? The Directive’s objectives for surface water bodies may require the structure and condition of such wetlands to be protected, enhanced or restored in order to support the achievement of good status Some kinds of wetland habitats which may occur in the riparian zone, shore zone or intertidal zone of surface water bodies

Recommendations on Section 2.1 Do not reopen discussions on which small elements of surface water should be water bodies Big lake Lake water body Little lake Lake water body…. if significant

Wetlands relevant to the Directive’s environmental objectives Terrestrial ecosystems directly dependent on groundwater bodies River, lake, transitional water or coastal water body Wetlands Riparian, shore or intertidal zone hydromorphological quality elements of surface water bodies Riparian, shore or intertidal zone hydromorphological quality elements of surface water bodies Rain-fed wetlands Insignificant elements of surface water Wetlands in riparian, shore or intertidal zones, the structure and condition of which is NOT important for supporting the achievement of the values for the biological quality elements

Programmes of measures Nature of measures under the Directive If no risk to the objectives, measures need not be applied Selective Measures only need be applied to the extent needed to achieve the objectives of the Directive Proportionate Can use combinations of different basic and supplementary measures Flexibility in design of programmes

Basic Measures For water bodies, all basic measures applied to the extent needed to achieve the objectives Article 11(3)(i) basic measures applied to the extent needed to ensure supportive hydromorphological conditions for the ecological status objectives

Basic Supplementary Wetlands Prevent deterioration in status; Achieve good surface water status; and Achieve any relevant objectives for Protected Areas If identified as water bodies, implement programmes of measures to protect and restore to the extent needed to: Good groundwater status; and Any relevant objectives for Protected Areas Implement programmes of measures to protect and restore their groundwater needs to the extent needed to achieve: Basic Prevent deterioration in surface water status; Achieve good surface water status; and Achieve any relevant objectives for Protected Areas Apply Article 11.3.i measures, and other relevant measures, to protect, enhance and restore to the extent needed to: River, lake, transitional water or coastal water Terrestrial ecosystems directly dependent on groundwater bodies Wetlands Riparian, shore or intertidal zone hydromorphological quality elements of surface water bodies Enable the basic measures to be used with a lighter touch, where considered appropriate by the Member State; or Ensure the achievement of the Directive’s objectives where the basic measures cannot do so on their own; Restore or recreate wetlands as a supplementary measure designed to: Supplementary

Recommendations on Section 5 “Member States must establish programmes of measures designed to achieve the objectives of the Directive The programmes of measures must include basic measures and, where necessary, supplementary measures The Directive identifies the creation and restoration of wetland areas as one of the supplementary measures Member States may choose to adopt as part of their programmes of measures The Directive’s list of supplementary measures is non-exclusive, and other aspects of wetland management may be used as a supplementary measure where appropriate The guidance provides practical examples of how the creation and restoration of wetland areas can be used as a supplementary measure to help achieve the objectives of the Directive”

Coloured circles include wetlands that are surface water bodies, parts of surface water bodies or a target of the objectives for bodies of groundwater River, lake, transitional water or coastal water body Terrestrial ecosystems directly dependent on groundwater bodies Riparian, shore or intertidal zone hydromorphological quality elements of surface water bodies Wetlands The only potential role for other wetlands is in the context of the programmes of measure

Other wetlands Not identified as a water body Rain-fed wetlands Insignificant elements of surface water Not identified as a water body May still need to apply programmes of measures to achieve objectives of water bodies to which it is connected

Protected Areas: Recommendations on Section 4 Not convinced that Protected Areas include national and local sites of conservation interest. Suggestion: Explain the obligations towards Protected Areas Avoid the wider question of which wetlands should be Protected Areas “By 22/12/2015, unless otherwise specified in the Community legislation establishing the Protected Area, in managing their water bodies Member States must achieve compliance with the groundwater and surface water related standards and objectives of those areas identified pursuant to Article 6 as designated for the conservation of habitats or species for which the maintenance or improvement of the status of water is an important factor in their protection.”