Project Summary

Objectives of the Western River Basin District Project.

The key objectives of the Water Framework Directive for the Western River Basin District are aimed at:

• maintaining "high status" of waters where it exists;
• preventing any deterioration in the existing status of waters and;
• achieving at least "good status" in relation to all waters in the Western River Basin District by 2015.

As required by the Water Framework Directive this will be achieved through the development of a management plan for the Western River Basin District. Similar management plans will be developed for the other seven river basin districts throughout the island of Ireland and for all river basin districts across the EU.

Developing the Management Plan.

The Directive sets out clear guidelines and a timetable for the development of the management plan.

The first stage of this timetable has already been completed for the Western River Basin District. A Characterisation Report including an analysis of pressures and impacts on water in the Western River Basin District and an economic analysis of water use was submitted to the EPA in December 2004 and will be published as part of a national Characterisation Report in March 2005.

The steps toward developing the management plan and ensuring that waters in the Western River Basin District reach good status are as follows;

• 2004
  An analysis of pressures and impacts on water in the Western RBD has to be completed including an Economic analysis – Characterisation Report.
• 2006
  Based on the Characterisation Report Monitoring Programmes have to be designed and operated as the basis for the Water Management Plan.
• 2008
  River Basin Management Plans must be presented to the public for consultation.
• 2009
  Establish and publish a Programme of Measures. First River Basin Management plans to be published.
• 2012
  Programme of measures to be fully operational.
• 2015
  Waters within the Western River Basin District to meet at least "good status".

This timetable is a consultative process which is funded by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government and at various stages will involve members of the public and NGO’s, specific state agencies and local authorities.

For further information on how to participate and why to participate in this project please follow the link (below) to Your Involvement/Participation.