Implementation of the Water Environment and Water Services

Implementation of the Water Environment and Water
Services (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Flood Risk
Management (Scotland) Act 2009
Annual Report to the Scottish Parliament – 2010
Implementation of the Water Environment and
Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003
and the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009
Annual Report to the Scottish Parliament – 2010
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Implementation
© Crown copyright 2011
ISBN: 978-1-78045-143-5 (web only)
The Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Produced for the Scottish Government by APS Group Scotland
DPPAS11433 (03/11)
Published by the Scottish Government, March 2011
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Contents
Page
Ministerial Foreword
1
1.
Water Policy in Scotland 2
2.
Implementation timetable
3
3.
EU Directives and transposition
4
Section A
River Basin Management Plan delivery 4
4. The first year
4
5. Area Management Plans and Area Advisory Groups 5
Progress towards delivery 5
6. Diffuse pollution management
5
7. Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) licensing
5
8. Restoration
6
9. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
7
10. Water shortage management planning
7
11. Key projects 8
Section B
Flood Risk Management 9
12. Flooding in Scotland
9
13. Commencing the Flood Risk Management Act (FRM)
9
14. A partnership approach to implementing FRM
9
15. Ministerial guidance - sustainable flood risk management
9
16. Progress towards delivering FRM outcomes 10
Section C
12
17. Next steps
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Implementation of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003
Ministerial Foreword
I am pleased to present this eighth report to Parliament on our
progress in implementing the Water Environment and Water
Services (Scotland) Act 2003 and the second in respect of Flood Risk
Management (Scotland) Act 2009 (FRM). This year, for the first time,
we have produced a joint report covering our progress on river basin
management planning and flood risk management.
These distinctive policies are at differing stages of maturity and
development. However, the joining of these reports highlights the
close interaction of these policy areas and our commitment to build upon and strengthen
these links. These connections will increasingly be demonstrated in future reports.
Scotland can be justly proud of having some of the best water quality in Europe in its
rivers, lochs and seas, and it is vitally important that these valuable natural resources are
protected to benefit future generations in the years to come. In 2010, we continued to
refine our risk-based planning process for managing pressures on our water environment,
using the environmental objectives and delivery measures of the River Basin Management
Plans (RBMPs). These plans have enabled us to make steady progress towards our aim of
developing a sustainable water environment, whilst enabling both our economy and our
wildlife to prosper and flourish. This year we also made significant changes to the existing
Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR), improving their transparency and effectiveness.
Flooding is a world wide occurrence and Scotland has experienced its share of flooding
events in recent years with communities and businesses suffering the misery, chaos and
disruption such events bring. This includes the community in my own constituency of Perth.
The FRM Act is the most significant change to flooding legislation in half a century, which
aims to manage flooding in Scotland more sustainably. It moves towards a more natural,
proactive and catchment-based approach rather than the more conventional methods
used in the past. Some important milestones have been achieved since my first report on
flood risk management last year, and this report reflects the evidence of good partnership
working towards the implementation of the FRM Act during the year by Scottish public
bodies and other interested stakeholders.
These important steps further develop our integrated approach to water management in a
pragmatic, proportionate and cost-effective way. This will help agencies, local authorities,
businesses, land managers and the public to work together, delivering a sustainable and
healthy future for Scotland’s water environment and protecting Scottish communities from
the risk of flooding.
ROSEANNA CUNNINGHAM
Minister for Environment and Climate Change
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1. Water Policy in Scotland
The work to improve the quality of Scotland’s water environment and to protect the public
from the risk of flooding has important roots in EU legislation. The Water Framework Directive
and the Floods Directive were transposed into Scots Law in 2003 and 2009 respectively.
This report reflects the differing stages of implementation of the two Directives. The River
Basin Management Plans are more mature, with the emphasis on continuing development
and improvement. Work around the implementation of the Flood Risk Management (Scotland)
Act is at an earlier stage, with a more significant emphasis on developing the necessary
building blocks for further work.
There are significant opportunities
in the future to recognise and
maximise the linkages between
these two policy agendas. For
instance, restoring the quality
of our rivers and coastlines can
help reinstate more natural run-off
patterns that slow the progress of
flood waters. Similarly, adopting
an integrated approach to urban
drainage allows us to invest in
actions that can simultaneously
tackle water quality, habitat and
flooding problems. There is also
a shared stakeholder community
around many interests. This year’s
report recognises the principles
of these linkages and highlights
opportunities that will be built on
in future progress reports.
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2. Implementation timetable
WEWS
Date
FRM
lead
Status
2003 WFD transposed into domestic law
(WEWS Act)
River Basin districts (RBDs) and
competent authorities identified
2004 Initial pressures and impacts analysis
produced
Register of protected areas in each RBD
established
2006 Environmental monitoring established
SG
ü
SG
ü
SG
ü
SG
ü
SG
ü
Work programme for producing the first
River Basin Management Plan (RBMP)
published
2007 Published overview of significant
water management issues for general
consultation
2008 Draft RBMPs published for consultation
SG
ü
SG
ü
SG
ü
2009 RBMPS finalised and published
SG
ü
Programme of measures to meet the
objectives established
SG
ü
2011
Milestone
2012 Programme of measures to be fully
operational
Publish timetable and work programme
for second RBMPs
2013 Repeat pressures and impacts analysis
of RBDs
2014 Publish second draft RBMPs
2015 End of 1st planning cycle - report on
progress and publish second RBMPs
with revised programme of measures
lead
Status
Transpose EC Floods Directive
SG
ü
Identify units of management for district
flood risk management plans and the
competent authority
Issue Ministerial guidance on managing
flooding in a sustainable way
Issue Ministerial guidance on assessing
impacts to society, the economy, the
environment and cultural heritage
Produce an assessment of flood risks
across Scotland and identify areas most
vulnerable to flooding
SG
ü
SG
May
SG
SG
SG
SG
Publish a statement on steps to engage
with the public and stakeholders when
preparing flood risk management plans
Publish draft district flood risk management
plan setting out objectives and measures to
address flood risks across Scotland
Publish draft local flood risk management
plans
Publish final district flood risk management
plan
Publish final local flood risk management
plans
Publish implementation plans for delivering
all measures set out in local flood risk
management plans
Cycle repeated and second set of plans
published. Plans and assessments reviewed
and published every 6 years thereafter.
SG
SG
2016 2021 End of 2nd planning cycle - report on
progress and publish third RBMPs with
revised programme of measures
2027 End of 3rd planning cycle - achievement
of environmental objectives
SG
SG
3
Milestone
SEPA May
Publish maps of flooding extents and
SEPA depths and associated impacts
Publish an assessment of where changes to
SEPA land management could help reduce flood risk
SEPA SEPA LA
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3. EU Directives and transposition
The Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) 2000 was transposed by the Water
Environment (Water Services) (Scotland) Act 2003 (WEWS). The WEWS Act protects and
improves the water environment, whilst also supporting the social and economic interests of
those who depend on it. Additionally, WEWS sets out steps for implementing the river basin
planning process in Scotland. It includes requirements for control regimes to regulate all
activities that pose a risk to the water environment. These arrangements were introduced via
the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (CAR).
The Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act (FRM) Act, which came into force on 16 June
2009, represents the most significant change to flooding legislation for half a century. It lays
the foundations for a plan-led approach to flood management that will promote the delivery
of sustainable, risk based actions to protect homes, businesses and communities across
Scotland from the damaging effects of flooding. It also brought into Scots law the European
Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risk Directive (2007/60/EC), known
as the Floods Directive.
SEPA has a lead role in implementing both these statutes, together with other public bodies
including local authorities and Scottish Water. There are close statutory links between
these pieces of legislation, with both operating on a closely synchronised implementation
timetable, as demonstrated by the implementation timetable set out in Section 2. There is
also a statutory requirement on SEPA to ensure consistency and coordination of its work
under the WEWS and the FRM Acts.
Section A
River Basin Management Plan delivery
4. The first year
SEPA published River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for the Scotland River Basin District
and the Solway Tweed River Basin District in 2009. The RBMP measures will ensure that the right
balance is struck between the protection of our water environment and wildlife, and the interests
of those who depend upon these resources for their prosperity. Scotland already has 63 per cent
of water bodies of good or better status, and the RBMPs aim to increase this to 97 per cent by
2027. The RBMPs are available at http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning.aspx.
SEPA carries out an annual classification of water bodies to assess progress towards the
objectives, identifying any shortfalls and taking remedial action. The table below shows the
classification data for 2009 compared to 2008. As this is a long term programme it may be
some years before significant improvements are reflected in the monitoring results.
RBD
Scotland RBD
Solway Tweed RBD
Scotland (Total)
2008
65
50
63
% water bodies good status or better
2009
2015 (Target) 2027
65
72
51
58
63
70
(Target)
97
89
96
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5. Area Management Plans and Area Advisory Groups
The ten Area Advisory Groups (AAGs) have now published Area Management Plans (AMPs),
coordinating and promoting local actions and linking delivery of RBMP objectives with
local environmental improvements across the three planning cycles. The AMPs provide an
overview of the water environment, pressures, key measures, and objectives for each AAG
area, and are complemented by action plans and catchment summaries. These are updated
through the planning cycles, assisting with efficient local delivery of RBMP objectives, and
are also available on the SEPA website.
Progress towards delivery
6. Diffuse pollution management
In 2010, the Diffuse Pollution Management Advisory Group (DPMAG) published the first
Scottish Rural Diffuse Pollution Plan. The Group continue to advise on a two-tier strategy - a
national awareness raising campaign on rural diffuse pollution, and a focused approach in
14 priority catchments.
At a national level, a communications
strategy has been developed. The Group
has also been working to support RBMP
delivery through closer alignment with
the current Scotland Rural Development
Programme,
and
is
considering
opportunities for the next programme.
The targeted approach in priority
catchments has begun by raising the
awareness of stakeholders and land
managers, and with intensive catchment
walking. This will be followed by a more
comprehensive awareness raising initiative
in catchments where the evidence base has
already been established. The catchment
walks will be completed in 2011.
7. Controlled Activities Regulations (CAR) licensing
Through its CAR authorisation procedures, SEPA prevents deterioration of the water
environment from new activities. SEPA issued a total of 3448 CAR authorisations in 2010:
Regime
SEPA CAR AUTHORISATIONS 2010
Registration
Simple Licence
Complex Licence
Point source discharges
2526
78
51
Engineering
495
163
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Water Resources
49
38
39
3070
279
99
(abstraction &
impoundment)
Total
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2655
667
126
3448
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SEPA’s CAR review process reviews existing CAR authorisations to achieve environmental
improvement. It applies to authorised point source discharges and water resource activities.
SEPA reviews the environmental impacts from existing authorised sites, and identifies any
mitigation measures necessary to deliver any required improvement.
Point Source Review
SEPA continues to work towards water environment improvement where it is impacted on
by discharges through the Point Source Review process. This is largely delivered through
Scottish Water’s programme of capital investment.
Water Resource Review
When CAR was introduced, operators of existing abstractions and impoundments were
required to apply to SEPA for authorisation. Around 2000 authorisations were made, with
conditions reflecting existing practice. Improved monitoring has now enhanced SEPA’s
understanding of pressures on Scotland’s water resources. SEPA has begun the process of
reviews, and plans to review around 240 authorisations over the next 2 years.
8. Restoration
Restoration actions provide an opportunity to recognise multiple benefits across the water
environment, which may include protecting communities from the risk of flooding. The SEPA
managed Water Environment Restoration Fund is now in its third year, and has already funded a
broad range of external projects across Scotland. A range of different types of organisations are
leading the projects, with 44% being led by individual fisheries trusts. The Rivers and Fisheries
Trusts (RAFTS) umbrella organisation, together with SEPA, is leading strategic projects, delivering
across broad areas of Scotland. The projects are summarised in the table below:
Water Environment Restoration Fund projects
Total projects currently active due for completion March 2011
Removal of physical barriers
Scoping barrier removal
Catchment restoration works
Scoping catchment or water body scale restoration
Removal of bank side habitat INNS at catchment/multiple catchment scale
40
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4
4
15
5
A good example of a restoration project is the Barriers Removal Scoping Project. Artificial barriers
impassable to fish are a significant pressure, causing less than good ecological status. This
project aims to assess options for the removal or modification of barriers identified as causing
such pressures. Site specific assessments will provide costed restoration options for phase two
of the works programme. SEPA has drawn up a list of fourteen priority barriers for assessment
in 2011 based on the affected catchment area and the extent of the impacts on fish migration.
In 2010, SEPA also commissioned SNIFFER to develop
restoration plans for priority catchments in the Maltkiln
Burn (Galloway Coastal priority catchment), River Dee,
South Esk and North Ugie (Buchan Coastal priority
catchment). SEPA, landowners and other stakeholders
will be consulted on the plans. Suitable areas for
restoration and development will be identified,
assessing all options to develop specifications and
details for the work.
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9. Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS)
SEPA has now developed an INNS management supplementary plan, ensuring that effective
processes are in place to implement the RBMPs. The plan will improve transparency and
clarify links between existing processes. It will ensure that the roles and responsibilities
for assessment and management are shared between the organisations concerned, and
effectively coordinate work and resources. 10. Water shortage management planning
We are in the process of introducing measures which we consider proportionate to the
relatively low level of water shortage risk in Scotland. The 2010 Scottish Government
consultation The Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations 2005
– Improving Transparency and Effectiveness further develops plans for water shortage
management. It proposes that SEPA will develop plans for environmental measures required
during a prolonged period of low rainfall, with a national plan setting out high level principles
and actions, to manage water shortages supplemented by more detailed local action plans.
The plans will include a series of steps to facilitate an appropriate response to possible water
shortage situations.
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11. Key projects
The Clyde Pilot Project (CPP)
The CPP delivers multiple benefits and is funded, developed and managed jointly by SEPA
and the Glasgow Clyde Valley Green Network (GCVGN) Partnership. The Partnership aims to
shape the integration of green and urban infrastructure by influencing the planning for, and
management of, urban waters in a sustainable manner.
The project looked at how habitat networks could be enhanced by actions that would also
deliver wider improvements to the quality of the water environment. The project also
examined areas where coincident benefits for flood management could be delivered, for
instance through floodplain restoration. The final reports were published in 2010, and
detail a national methodology for identifying opportunity areas, with case studies showing
a wide range of mechanisms for delivering improvements. The reports can be found at –
http://www.sepa.org.uk/water/river_basin_planning/area_advisory_groups/clyde.aspx
Funding of £20,000 was secured in 2010 from Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) to work
up four opportunity areas identified during the Clyde Pilot Study. A sub-group of the Clyde
AAG is taking this project forward, and partners include Local Authorities, SNH, Glasgow
and Clyde Valley Green Network, Central Scotland Green Network, Clyde Rivers Foundation
and SEPA. Consultants are working on detailed project outlines for the four sites, identifying
how to deliver multiple benefits. The aim is to provide ‘off the shelf’ projects that can attract
funding and deliver environmental improvements in the water bodies.
The CPP approach is also being taken forward in the South East Scotland Structure (SES) plan
area with the key partners of SEPA, Forestry Commission Scotland, SNH and Forest Research
driving the work. The project will apply the screening methodology to the area and identify
potential opportunity areas for use in the development planning process.
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Flood Risk Management
12. Flooding in Scotland
Flooding can have serious effects on health and wellbeing, homes, businesses and the
environment. It can also affect transport infrastructure and cause major disruption to vital
services. This winter has been one of the most severe in living memory, which has meant
communities have had to deal with unusually long periods of snow and extreme cold and icy
conditions. Additionally, some parts of Scotland had to contend with flooding once the snow
and ice began to thaw, exacerbated by exceptionally heavy rainfall in some areas.
13. Commencing the Flood Risk Management Act (FRM)
In December 2010 the 2nd Commencement Order under the FRM Act was brought into force,
giving local authorities general powers to manage flood risk. These powers include the ability
to carry out clearance and repair work, and implement flood protection schemes with the
associated statutory procedures.
The Order also brought into effect provisions for local authorities to acquire land, to enter
land, and to obtain information about ownership or other information of the land. The Order
repealed the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961, except for flood prevention schemes
already underway under the Act.
14. A partnership approach to implementing FRM
The Scottish Government has established an implementation programme for the FRM
Act - the Scottish Advisory and Implementation Forum for Flooding (SAIFF). SAIFF assists
the Government in preparing and introducing its policies under the FRM Act, whilst also
providing a forum for SEPA, local authorities, Scottish Water and others to work together to
successfully translate the legislation into practical improvements to how flooding is managed.
The advisory groups established under SAIFF have played an important role in shaping the
Government’s consultation on ‘Delivering Sustainable Flood Risk Management’, SEPA’s work
on developing a national flood risk assessment for Scotland, and in taking forward research
and projects examining more natural approaches to tackling flooding.
15. Ministerial guidance - sustainable flood risk management
The FRM Act places statutory duties on the Scottish Ministers to issue guidance on what
it means to manage flooding in a sustainable way. The Scottish Government issued a
consultation on this guidance on 18 January 2011.
The guidance is an important step towards placing flood management on a more sustainable
footing. The guidance will help ensure adoption of consistent principles and approaches
based on good practice lessons in flood risk management.
In promoting a more sustainable approach to flood risk management, the guidance establishes
five overarching outcomes for Scotland:
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• P
ublic funds invested in actions that protect the most vulnerable and those areas at
greatest risk of flooding.
• Rural and urban landscapes with space to store water and slow down the progress of
floods.
• Integrated urban drainage that decreases burdens on our sewer systems while also
delivering reduced flood risk and an improved water environment.
• A well informed public who understand flood risk and the actions they can take to protect
themselves, their property or their businesses.
• Flood management actions that will stand the test of time and be adaptable to future
changes in the climate.
Guidance to support the delivery of these outcomes is provided across seven core sections
on topics that include partnership working, catchment flood management and selecting
sustainable actions. Technical guidance on appraising flood management options is also
provided.
The guidance was developed in close collaboration with SEPA, local authorities, Scottish
Water and a wide range of stakeholders representing public bodies, representative groups,
flood risk management professionals and other interested parties.
16. Progress towards delivering FRM outcomes
A summary of progress in delivering the outcomes that will underpin sustainable flood
management in Scotland is provided below.
Public funds invested in actions that protect the most vulnerable and those areas at greatest
risk to flooding
National Flood Risk Assessment (nFRA)
An important stage in the sustainable management of flood risk is the preparation of a
national flood risk assessment (nFRA) to identify those areas most vulnerable to the impacts
of flooding. This work, which is being led by SEPA, is an important step in delivering a riskbased approach to flood management, and will have a central role in targeting future efforts
and investment to tackle flooding and its impacts.
The approach and principles underpinning the assessment have been developed in close
consultation with local authorities, Scottish Water and other stakeholders. This assessment
is due to go out for consultation in the summer, and will be submitted to Scottish Ministers
thereafter for approval.
Economic Activity (A) - Businesses
1km2 Grid output based on Exposure x Value
Low
High
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Developing a plan led approach to flood risk management
On 8 September SEPA launched a consultation exercise ‘Panning for floods – planning for
the future’ to establish a set of principles to support the preparation of flood management
plans for Scotland, and for stakeholder engagement in this planning work. The proposals in
the consultation were well received and are being used to take forward a closely coordinated
approach to preparing flood risk management plans.
Flood protection schemes
The 2007 concordat between local authorities and the Scottish Government brought to an end
to former ring fenced schemes; amongst these was the former scheme for flood protection
projects. Local authorities were given greater flexibility in how they used their resources to
reflect local needs and priorities.
Against this backdrop, local authorities have continued to progress such schemes to protect
their communities from the risk of flooding. Particular examples included the completion by
Edinburgh City Council of the Braidburn scheme, and the confirmation of Moray Council’s
proposed Elgin scheme.
Improving our understanding of flooding and its impacts
Using joint funding from the Scottish Government, SEPA and themselves, Scottish Water
are leading the procurement of much needed LiDAR data (high resolution information on the
elevation of Scotland’s landscape) which will support improved modelling and mapping of
flooding across Scotland. This will ultimately lead to better information on actions to tackle
flooding and its impacts.
The Scottish Government funded a research project into groundwater flooding, which is less
well understood in Scotland than other sources of flooding. Groundwater flooding occurs
when flooding causes unusually high groundwater levels which rise above surface level and,
combined with prolonged heavy rainfall, can cause significant damage to electricity services
and property basements. The project has identified areas of Scotland that are susceptible to
groundwater flooding, and this information is being incorporated in the national flood risk
assessment that is being prepared by SEPA.
A project to map pluvial flooding across Scotland has also been commissioned by SEPA.
This project will, for the first time, provide a national overview of those areas of Scotland
that are most susceptible to pluvial flooding. It will play an important role in helping to target
investment in urban drainage, and other actions to tackle flooding caused by intense rainfall
in urban areas.
Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Government is taking important action to promote the safe operation of Scotland’s
Reservoirs. This has included introducing the Reservoirs (Scotland) Bill to Parliament on
6 October 2010. The Bill introduces a risk-based approach to reservoir management to ensure
a greater level of protection for public, property and infrastructure from the risk of flooding
from reservoirs, without placing unnecessary burdens on reservoir owners.
Rural and urban landscapes with space to store water and slow down the progress of floods
The Scottish Government continues to work with the Tweed Forum, SEPA, Dundee University
and other partners on the Eddleston Water project to take a catchment approach to land use
management. The project, which is on the tributary of the Tweed, considers how to best
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engage with land managers to deliver changes that will reduce flood risk and improve the
water environment, such as river and flood plain restoration.
Results from the project will help address the gaps in our knowledge about implementing
natural flood management, as well as delivering results under the WFD. The project has now
moved to phase 2 and the Government has agreed funding for a further 3 years. The project
is supported by SEPA through its river restoration fund which supports improvements to the
quality of Scotland’s rivers.
A scoping study has been carried out for the Allan Water to look at and assess the potential
for using natural flood management techniques in order to reduce the risk of downstream
flooding, whilst taking the opportunity to benefit biodiversity and the local communities. The
project is led by SEPA but involves many other partnerships, including local authorities with
an interest in the area, This study will lead to the future publication of a restoration strategy
for the area.
A project led by RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is being carried out on the
Firth of Forth to identify opportunities for large-scale habitat creation around the Skinflats
reserve. SEPA, SNH, FCS, and local authorities along with land managers are all working
together to ensure the best options are taken to improve habitats in the surrounding areas.
This is an example of sustainable flood management that encourages biodiversity and
creates an environment with educational and recreational benefits. Stage 1 is underway,
where habitat creation has transformed farmland behind a seawall into a new wetland area.
Adopting a more natural approach to flood risk management can involve restoring flood
plains or coastal areas and creating wetlands or other features to store or slow the progress
of flood waters. The land required for this type of work is often already being used for other
purposes, for instance farming. The Scottish Government is funding research into methods
of compensating land owners, or using other incentives, to allow such land to be used for
flood protection.
Integrated urban drainage that decreases burdens on our sewer systems while also
delivering reduced flood risk and an improved water environment
The Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership (MGSDP) continues to embrace a
holistic approach to managing surface water, which will reduce flood risk whilst unlocking
development potential, improving water quality and allowing residential areas to co-exist with
the natural landscape. Based on their experience and previous lessons learnt, the MGSDP
has been working with the Scottish Government on the production of guidance on tackling
surface water management in a collaborative manner. This guidance will be published in
support of the wider sustainable flood risk management guidance.
Scottish Water (SW) and SCOTS have developed agreements under Section 7 of the Sewerage
(Scotland) Act 1968 that allows SW and local authorities to share a single drainage system,
and encourages best practice in the use of Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS).
A well informed public who understand flood risk and the actions they can take to protect
themselves, their property or their businesses
SEPA - Floodline Warning Direct (FWD)
SEPA will be launching its new Floodline Warning Direct (FWD) service in March 2011. FWD
will provide a service to businesses and members of the public whereby messages will be
sent, free of charge, to mobiles or landlines providing information of any expected flood
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event in the local area. The scheme will operate in 48 areas across Scotland. It will also guide
those who have registered for the scheme to websites for more in depth up to the minute
details of any event. Chart to come from SEPA
Scottish Flood Forecasting Service
Funding has been provided by the Scottish Government to assist SEPA and the Met Office
establish a Scottish Flood Forecasting Service (SFFS). The close partnership approach
matches hydrological and meterological expertise for the first time, and the project will result
in better flood forecasting and warning information being made available to the public. It
represents a step change in the delivery of flood warning in Scotland. The SFFS will produce
daily statements for local authorities and emergency services, detailing risks as they develop,
and providing early warning of potential flooding which will allow authorities and emergency
services extra time to prepare for any inevitable flooding events. This service will go live in
March 2011 along with FWD.
Scottish Flood Forum
The Scottish Flood Forum (SFF) has, in the past year, provided direct community support
and recovery after severe flood events to communities around Scotland. The SFF established
flood recovery centres across Scotland (in Stonehaven, Huntly, Perth and Dumfries) and
worked with agencies and local authorities as an independent voice for communities in the
recovery and resilience process. The SFF support communities after the recovery operation
has ceased by providing practical information, training and support surgeries in local flood
recovery centres months after a flood event has passed.
The SFF continues to develop Community
Flood Groups by working with voluntary
and public partners to expand the 27 flood
groups which the SFF has established
throughout Scotland.
The SFF is also supporting SEPA’s
work to raise awareness of flood risk by
encouraging individuals to sign up to the
new national flood warning dissemination
service – Floodline Warning Direct (FWD).
Other work to raise awareness of flooding and its impacts
The Government is conscious of how important it is to ensure the public are fully informed of
their flood risk, and have the knowledge to enable them to prepare and take action to assist
them in protecting themselves and their property. To assist future generations in becoming
more involved, and to understand the important part they can play in flood risk management,
the Government is working with Learning Teaching Scotland (LTS) to ensure that the new
Curriculum for Excellence which is about to be rolled out across both primary and secondary
schools includes awareness of flooding.
As part of the wider Citizen Science project on raising awareness of rivers and their
catchments, the Government is working in partnership with LTS, SEPA, SQA, the Met Office
to teach school children about river catchments and flooding.
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Scottish Water, in conjunction with SCOTS, the Scottish Flood Forum and other relevant bodies,
are in the early stages of developing a communications protocol to make communications in
the event of a flood more customer-focused for both customers and external stakeholders.
SEPA have also issued some publications for the general public on flood risk management:
http://www.sepa.org.uk/flooding/flooding_publications.aspx
Flood management actions that will stand the test of time and be adaptable to future change
Climate change predictions indicate that there is likely to be an increase in the number
and the intensity of rainfall events across Scotland. SEPA has commissioned a project, ‘An
Assessment of the Vulnerability of Scotland’s river Catchments and Coasts to the Impacts of
Climate Change’, to gain a better understanding of the implications of climate change on any
future flooding events. By using a high emission scenario along with standard return periods,
this project aims to estimate any regional changes in climate change predictions over the
next seventy years. It will also make an assessment on the vulnerability of coastal areas to
climate change.
17. Next steps
This report has highlighted key steps in the Government’s work with a wide range of
stakeholders to promote the quality of the water environment and protect Scotland’s
communities from the threat of flooding. As these policies are progressed further these
connections will be increasingly pressed. Examples of key tasks in 2011 include:
CAR development
In October 2010, the Scottish Government consulted stakeholders on a range of amendments
to CAR. These amendments will absorb the requirements of the Environmental impact
assessment (EIA) Directive on agricultural irrigation into CAR, and introduce fast-track
provisions for action to be taken in emergency situations, improving transparency and further
supporting the Scottish Government’s Better Regulation Agenda. As a number of amending
instruments reflecting policy developments have been made since CAR was introduced,
these have now been drawn together into a single consolidated version of CAR. The new
version of CAR will come into force on 31 March 2011.
Issue designation order on flood risk functions
Work to develop a designation order establishing additional responsible authorities for flood
management is underway. The key organisations being considered are British Waterways
and Forestry Commission Scotland. The designation order will also set out the flood risk
function of SEPA, the Scottish Ministers and all responsible authorities. This work provides
an important opportunity to clarify key responsibilities.
A framework for integrated urban drainage
Working with key partners, the Government will look to publish a policy statement on
improving the management of urban water environments and urban drainage by providing
a clear overarching framework that will develop a shared understanding of the roles and
responsibilities in tackling surface water flooding problems. This work will link closely with
the sustainable flood risk management guidance.
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Appraising flood management options
Plans and schemes to manage flood risk must undergo an appraisal process to ensure that
investment is targeted towards those actions that are value for money and deliver the greatest
benefits for society as a whole. The Government is reviewing existing guidance on appraising
flood management actions to ensure that it is consistent with the aims of sustainable flood
risk management, and promotes close interaction between the appraisal of strategic plans
and appraisals of individual schemes.
Planning advice notes
Planning decisions are an integral part of any development or re-development process,
providing an opportunity to assess and build in integrated flood drainage and flood
management actions to any urban planning process. To help deliver this, the Scottish
Government is about to commence work on a consolidated Planning Advice Note (PAN) to
replace the existing PAN 61 on Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems. PAN 69 on Flooding
and PAN 79 on Water and Drainage.
The consolidated PAN will provide the opportunity to present relevant, up to date planning
advice which supports the principles of the FRM Act. All relevant stakeholders will be involved
in taking this work forward.
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© Crown copyright 2011
ISBN: 978-1-78045-143-5 (web only)
APS Group Scotland
DPPAS11433 (03/11)
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