Under the terms of the WFD, the Environment Agency in England and Wales and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) have recently been engaged in a major data collation exercise.

This has covered not only data on water quality but also on activities which have the potential to affect water status, such as pollution, dredging, impoundments, and the introduction of alien species.

The data has been used to determine which water bodies are 'at risk' of failing to meet the chemical and biological targets set out in the Directive.

Water bodies which are identified as being 'at risk' will be subject to protection and improvement measures regarding the biological, chemical and physical water environment. However, all water bodies will have targets to meet by 2015.

The WFD thus has the potential to affect maintenance dredging, bank protection and weed control, navigation and vessel movements, discharges, diffuse pollution, and abstractions or impoundments.

There could also be significant implications for any new development proposals which involve construction or dredging or which require any other form of consent.

Both SEPA and the Environment Agency are currently offering stakeholders the chance to review and comment on the outcomes of the initial characterisation process.

The full information notes available at www. britishmarine.co. uk explain why it is important to take the opportunity to influence the implementation of this far-reaching Directive.

MJ Information No: 20003