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

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

3. 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.”

4. 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

5. 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”

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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”

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.”