Water Framework Directive – Coastal issues Will Akast Catchment Delivery Manager-Suffolk

XXX The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) came into force in December 2000 and became part of UK law in December It is an ecology-led directive and the most substantial piece of European water legislation to date. It introduces an integrated approach to all aspects of water management The WFD will help to protect and enhance the quality of all waters: Surface freshwater (including lakes, streams and rivers) Groundwater Groundwater dependent ecosystems Estuaries Coastal waters out to 1 mile from low water

XXX Objectives The Water Framework Directive (WFD) introduces river basin planning as a means to: Prevent deterioration and enhance / restore the status of all water bodies Promote sustainable water use Reduce pollution Contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts Comply with standards and objectives of other Directives

River Basin Planning: Prevent deterioration and enhance the status of the water environment, including ground water Promote sustainable water use Reduce pollution Contribute to mitigating the effects of floods and droughts Create better habitats for people and wildlife We are at start of river basin planning process to improve the environment over the next 25 years (3 cycles 2015, 2021, 2027)

Water Framework Directive – based on ecology Protects and improves the natural health of the water environment Water bodies are classified as achieving high, good, moderate, poor or bad ecological status with biology being the main driver. Requires achievement of ‘good ecological status’ by the implementation of actions Good status is based on four key aspects: Biology Chemical water quality (surface & ground waters) Physical structure - morphology Quantity (surface & ground waters) Not about re-naturalising – human ‘uses’ recognised

Water Framework Directive – New Classification System Brings together status of different aspects: Individual Biological elements e.g. fish, invertebrates Supporting Physico-chemical elements e.g. phosphate, ammonia Compliance with standards for ‘Specific Pollutants’ e.g. zinc Water quantity (for ‘High’ status only) Morphology (whether mitigation required or not) Recorded as: High Good Moderate Poor Bad Status/ Potential (if ‘Artificial or Heavily Modified’) Important rule: ‘One out, All out’

XXX We want to have healthy water environments as soon as possible before This will be achieved by: Improving rural land management Reducing the impact of the built environment and man-made changes Addressing point and diffuse sources of pollution Securing sustainable amounts of water Improving wildlife habitats

Improving the water environment - mechanisms for action A range of mechanisms – policy, legal and financial tools - can be used. Together they can be very successful in achieving the outcomes needed for protecting and improving the water environment. BansPermits Plans & Rules Incentives Partnerships & Codes of Practice Education & Awareness Softer approaches……………………………………….Regulatory approaches Data & Information ( less enforceable ) ( more enforceable )

Water bodies in England & Wales: 7409 There are 228 TRaC water bodies in England & Wales: Coastal = 93 Estuarine = 135 Transitional and Coastal (TRaC) Water Bodies

Estuarine Coastal TRaC waters by River Basin

Heavily modified waterbodies Many of our coasts and estuaries have been modified by man – to defend land from inundation or erosion; dredging etc. These are designated Heavily Modified Water Bodies. Heavily Modified Water Bodies must achieve Good Ecologial Potential (GEP). GEP is the best ecology that the water body can achieve without compromising the use for which it has been designated. GEP is achieved when relevant Mitigation Measures are in place. There are 29 TRaC water bodies in Anglian Region – 79% of these are heavily modified for flood and coast protection.

What does WFD mean for the Suffolk Coast and Estuaries? For each estuary and stretch of coast we will be looking at a range of mitigation measures For example : a) Managed realignment of flood defence b) Preserve and where possible enhance ecological value of marginal aquatic habitat, banks and riparian zone c) Removal of hard bank reinforcement / revetment with soft engineering solution WFD assessments to tie in closely with the SMP and estuary strategy / plan process

Water Framework Directive Compliance Assessment

Screening No WFD assessment needed if: Temporary – impact only lasts a short period of time with rapid, natural recovery Low impact works – list of low impact works available from the Environment Agency

Appendix A of Excel screening proforma Vegetation clearance and channel repair works Backfill replacementOpportunities for environmental improvements (no WFD assesment needed) Scour protectionYes, WFD screening needed Minor concrete repairNo WFD consideration needed Joint repairNo WFD consideration needed Sealant replacementNo WFD consideration needed Corrosion removal/protectionNo WFD consideration needed Replacing signsNo WFD consideration needed Repair of fencingNo WFD consideration needed Example

WFD compliance assessment process Preliminary assessment Step 1 – collect information on the waterbody Step 2 – collect information on the activity Step 3 – preliminary assessment of impact

WFD compliance assessment process Detailed assessment Step 4 – design and options appraisal Step 5 – detailed impact assessment Step 6 – Application of Article 4.7 tests Step 7 – Reporting

New schemes or works Applicant Undertaking or commissioning an assessment and submitting it as part of an application Environment Agency Advice on requirement for and scope of WFD assessment Providing general advice to explain how the assessment ties in with the consent application

The WFD is an important agent for change We have a real opportunity to improve the water environment………….