Catchment Management Network Meeting

LAWCO

Local Authority Water and Communities Office

26th November 2015

Water Framework Directive (WFD) Legal framework to protect and restore clean water ….. and to ensure its long-term, sustainable use. Requires the preparation of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) Three cycles 1st Cycle: 2010-2015, 2nd Cycle: 2016-2021 3rd Cycle: 2022-2027 ……”to achieve good ecological status in all waters”.

Establishment of LAWCO Regional Structure Operational Structure

DECLG European Union (Water Policy) Regulations 2014 • Three tier governance framework • New obligations on Local Authorities in coordinating the

catchment management and public participation elements of the Water Framework Directive.

• Regional coordination, public participation, and support to the EPA and Minister in the development and implementation of River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) and Programmes of Measures (POMs).

• Establishment of Regional Water Framework Directive Offices to deliver on these obligations.

Governance Framework

Tier 3 Public Participation &

Regional

Tier 2 Technical Implementation, Networking & Reporting

Tier 1 Policy & Oversight

Water Policy Advisory Committee (DECLG, DAFM, DCENR, DAHG, DH, EPA, CCMA, OPW, LANWFDO)

EPA

LAWCO

LAWCO

Tier 1 and Tier 2 • Assistance

Local Authorities

• Statutory obligations • Collaboration • Consistency

Community and Voluntary

• Mobilise and support engagement

Other Stakeholders • Foster linkages

Elected Members SPC

LAWCO Committee LAWCO CE Regional Chairs DOS LAWCO EPA Regional nominee DECLG Northern Ireland nominee

Meetings 2-3 times per year

Working Groups

LAWCO DOS 3 Co-ordinators 3 Support Staff 12 Community Water Officers Support Staff

Meetings 4-6 times per year

31 Local Authorities

Stakeholders

Proposed Tier 3 Structure

Regional Committee Regional Chair (CE) Local Authority DOS EPA Regional Inspectorate WFD Co-ordinator

Community/Voluntary

Regional Structures

Putting People First River Basin Districts

3 Regional Coordinators • Clonmel • Tullamore • Carrick-on-Shannon

3 Specialist posts (Clonmel)

• Funding • Communication • IT and Administration

12 Community Water Officers (Regional)

Implementation Recruitment

Agree job specifications and complete recruitment process

Network Set up reporting structures

Structure

Agree Regional structures with CCMA, EPA and DECLG

IT Design and construct IT system that’s fit for purpose

Training

Design and deliver training programme for staff (ESTG and Training Centres)

Local Authorities Deliver message, secure support and engagement from senior staff

Community and Voluntary

LCDC and PPNs, support from C&ED

Monitor and Review

Sampling Programme - 2016

Operational and surveillance monitoring Rivers and lakes Workshops Training

Role of LAWCO

• To promote knowledge sharing and coordination in implementing RBMPs and POMs by local authorities, public authorities, sectoral interests and community groups

• To coordinate/undertake statutorily required public consultation in development of the RBMPs and POMs on behalf of the Minister and a public awareness campaign in water resources management

• To seek consistency of RBMP implementation across agencies

• To assist the Minister and the EPA and work collaboratively with local authorities in the development of RBMPs and POMs

• To mobilise and support engagement of voluntary and community groups in protecting our natural waters.

• To foster linkages with industry and agricultural sectors

• To develop linkages with local sectoral representative organisations such as Chamber(s) of Commerce, county level IFA, angling groups, tidy towns.

Thank You