Delivering multiple benefits through river basin management
planning – Forth multiple benefits project
In April 2011, SEPA, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish
Natural Heritage, together with the Central Scotland Green Network
Support Unit, commissioned JBA Consulting to undertake a spatial
analysis within the Forth sub-basin district to identify areas
where opportunities exist to deliver water environment restoration
projects which could deliver multiple benefits.
The key aim of this project is to identify sites, which, if
restored, would improve the ecological status of the water body by
addressing river basin planning (Water Framework Directive)
pressures AND where the restoration would also
strengthen and increase connectivity of the integrated network
habitat.
However, the wider benefits associated with a restored and
healthy water environment will also be considered within this
project. These include:
- Improved health through improved access to the outdoor
environment
- Increased biodiversity
- Natural flood management
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Protection of statutory sites through buffering
- Making space for rivers through green and blue networks
Stakeholder workshop
A stakeholder workshop was held on 31 August 2011 to
reality-check and discuss the interim mapping outputs, and,
importantly, add vital local knowledge. The initial map-based
screening identifies sections of watercourses or water bodies
within the Forth sub-basin district where the current Water
Framework Directive classification is less than good and where
these water bodies overlap with key integrated habitat networks:
woodland, wetland and grassland.
The mapping outputs presented in the table below highlight the
opportunities identified through the initial spatial analyses. To
assist ease of use, please read the guidance on
how to interpret the maps 
(530kb)
before viewing. An overview
of spatial data used to identify opportunity areas (56kb) has also been provided.
A4 sized maps showing individual opportunity areas in more
detail have also been produced. Please contact forthbasin@jbaconsulting.co.uk
if you would like a copy of these maps.
We would like your comments on the project and the opportunity
areas by Friday 16 September. Please respond using
this form 
(248kb).