This implementation plan is to ensure that key stakeholders in
Scotland work in a co-ordinated way to reduce diffuse pollution
from rural sources, which will in turn help to protect and improve
the water environment and deliver the targets set out in the
river basin management plans for the
Scotland and the Solway Tweed river basin districts.
The delivery of this plan is the responsibility of the Diffuse
Pollution Management Advisory Group (DPMAG). DPMAG was set up on
the request of the Scottish Government after their consultation
Scotland’s Waters: Future Directions (which accompanied
the consultation on the draft river basin management plans [RBMP]
for the Scotland and Solway Tweed river basin districts), as a
statutory group under section 17 of the Water Environment and Water
Services (WEWS) Act 2003. The group was set up to:
- help create a robust governance, decision-making and
co-ordination framework for the effective delivery of rural diffuse
pollution RBMP actions in Scotland;
- ensure input from a cross-section of rural, environmental and
biodiversity interests.
The Scottish Government considers co-ordination of the
management of rural diffuse pollution through DPMAG to be critical
to the effective management of Scotland’s water environment and
expects a strong sense of commitment from SEPA to drive the work of
DPMAG forward. Awareness raising and engagement with land managers
is fundamental to reducing the impacts of rural diffuse pollution.
The efficient planning and delivery of this activity will be most
effectively delivered through the contribution of a range of
organisations at national and local level.
This plan has been developed by DPMAG and progress will be
monitored by the group and reported to the Scottish Government and
to the national advisory group for river basin management planning
in Scotland. More information can be found in the role and remit of
the group and national roles and responsibilities of DPMAG members
(Appendix 3).
This document is comprised of three key parts:
- this summary document;
- an action plan (Appendix 1);
- a national communications plan (Appendix 2).
This is a national plan; further information on delivery at area
and catchment level in can be found in the individual area management plans. Information about
specific water bodies can also be accessed through the interactive map. This plan will
be reviewed regularly through the river basin management planning
cycle.
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Extract from the Scotland river basin management
plan
We all enjoy the benefits of a clean and healthy water
environment. Our rivers, lochs and groundwater provide all our
drinking water and farmers need water for growing our food.
Water is still at the heart of the economic success for many of
our rural towns and villages. Our world-renowned whisky and fish
farming industries depend on its high environmental quality. Our
rivers, lochs, estuaries and coasts attract large numbers of people
of all ages, from home and overseas, to take part in a wide range
of recreational activities.
Our waters support a great diversity of wildlife and a
significant number are identified as protected areas because of
their importance for the conservation of internationally rare or
endangered species. Some of the best salmon runs in the UK are
found in our rivers. Many of our best known landscapes are
associated with water. In short, our water environment is an
integral part of Scotland's cultural fabric.
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