Foreword

We are introducing a new way of managing the water environment in the Solway Tweed area called river basin planning. This involves setting objectives to protect and improve the water environment while promoting its sustainable use. River basin planning is the process that allows us to fulfil the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.

SEPA and the Environment Agency have developed this consultation on significant water management issues for the Solway Tweed river basin district with the Area Advisory Groups. These advisory groups include the key organisations from the Solway Tweed river basin district with an interest in the water environment. Together we have identified the environmental problems we need to address and considered what actions are required.

Next year, together with the advisory groups, we will produce a draft river basin management plan based on this report and the feedback on it we receive from you.

We believe river basin planning provides a real opportunity to co-ordinate our work across the Solway Tweed river basin district to deliver agreed environmental objectives. It is an innovative approach which will deliver two important benefits.

• It will improve the quality of our environment.
• It will facilitate sustainable use of the water environment by business and for recreation, which will have big social and economic benefits.

Please read those sections of this report applicable to you and consider in your response how we can all contribute to creating a better, greener Solway Tweed area.