Freshwater
Freshwaters provide a range of benefits to society, such as
drinking water, hydropower and recreation. Scotland's rivers,
burns, lochs and ponds are renowned for their quality, which
supports a rich diversity of habitats and species.
The Water Framework Directive is the main piece of legislation
which requires SEPA to protect and improve the water environment
upon which freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity are dependent. As
well as our regulatory role, we also work to influence others and
to benefit freshwater biodiversity through partnership working.
Regulation
Under the Water Framework Directive, the Water Environment
(Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 gives us
responsibility for regulating activities in freshwater. In
particular, we assess the implications of activities on
biodiversity in designated sites such as Special Protection Areas,
Special Areas of Conservation and Sites of Special Scientific
Interest.
For such activities we set conditions through general binding
rules and licences which safeguard biodiversity. More stringent
conditions may be set where appropriate, for example to protect a
sensitive species such as freshwater pearl mussel.
Influencing
Through plans, policies and promotion of best practice, we aim
to influence practice which protects Scotland's freshwater
biodiversity and to help industry understand their environmental
responsibilities.
Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are a legal
requirement for all new developments. We advise planning
authorities and developers to use SUDS design which has greatest
benefit to biodiversity.
We also develop guidance, often in collaboration with our
partners, which incorporates best practice for protection and
enhancement of biodiversity.
Partnership
We chair the Freshwater and Wetland Ecosystem Group, which is a
partnership group within the Scottish Biodiversity Forum. The group
aims to co-ordinate and deliver action through an ecosystem
approach for priority freshwater habitats and species.
As joint lead of the UK Lakes Habitat Group, we have made
considerable progress in delivering lake habitat targets, including
the recent establishment of seven local environmental improvement
plan (EIAP) loch partnership groups covering 31 lochs across
Scotland. The aim of the loch EIAPs is to work in partnership to
pursue local catchment projects to address pressures (such as
eutrophication, pollution, invasive
non-native species etc), and to improve loch ecology and help
safeguard priority plant assemblages.
The RBMP process and the co-ordination
of actions through Area Advisory Groups is a fundamental mechanism
in delivering freshwater biodiversity improvements. A current
partnership project in the Clyde Valley is looking at ways of
aligning river basin management planning requirements with wider
benefits for habitat networks and biodiversity.
We are also involved in partnerships and projects seeking to
deliver biodiversity improvements through best SUDS design, and
promoting adoption of green roofs (www.sgrf.org.uk).