SEPA supports the participative and partnership approach to implementation of the Directive in
Scotland
. A number of key Directive subjects have already been informed by stakeholder working groups and meetings.
National Stakeholder Forum
The National Stakeholder Forum provides access to Scottish Ministers on any aspect of WFD implementation in
Scotland
and presents information to key stakeholders on the introduction of the WFD.
A National Stakeholder Forum, including senior representatives from industry, environmental groups, and farming and community interests, has been formed to oversee the introduction of the Directive in
Scotland
.
Environment Minister Ross Finnie made the announcement in
Edinburgh
on
28 March 2003
at a WFD conference jointly organised by the Executive and SEPA.
For further information on this Forum, please visit:
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Water/17316/8798
Regulatory Stakeholder Group
The Regulatory Stakeholder* Group provides an external forum to influence SEPA’s work on WFD charging schemes and regulatory regimes. Allowing open discussion with stakeholders, the Group provide an opportunity for differing views to be expressed and considered.
The Group is not a decision-making body, but is used to ensure that policies and guidance are technically correct and appropriate. It also provides an essential mechanism for disseminating information.
SEPA encourages stakeholders to submit agenda items/papers.
*Stakeholder – representing industry and other water users
Economic Advisory Stakeholder Group
Stakeholder participation in the economic analysis is very important to SEPA to ensure that the analysis contributes constructively to the emerging regulatory and licensing system. The Economic Advisory Stakeholder Group was formed to establish the availability of data and to assist development of a strategy for the delivery of the WFD economic analysis for
Scotland
. The group first met on
12 March 2003
following invitations to a range of organisations, associations and industry representatives. A summary of the Group’s remit is below:
- To agree the focus of research;
- To receive and ‘reality-test’ data;
- For sub-groups to draft specific sections of reports and develop methodological tools as appropriate;
- To provide editorial input to draft reports; and
- To disseminate information to interested parties as appropriate.
Scottish Freshwater Environment Monitoring Strategy (SFEMS )
SFEMS aims to engage SEPA and other partner organisations in the development and delivery of freshwater environment monitoring and data collection systems. In particular, SFEMS will inform and comment on SEPA's monitoring strategy for the freshwater aquatic environment and ensure that it is designed in a way that is scientifically defensible, proportionate, streamlined, cost-effective and of the appropriate scientific and technical quality necessary to support effective river
> basin management planning. The group:
- provides a communication hub on WFD freshwater environmental data issues of relevance to external organisations;
- advises on systems for ensuring appropriate availability of WFD
- data to all stakeholders.
