Implementing the EU Water Framework Directive: Experiences of Participatory Planning in the Ribble Basin,North West England

Abstract

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is potentially the most significant piece of water management legislation to be developed by the European Union (EU) in the last forty years. Whilst water legislation is already regarded by many people as the ‘gold plating’ of EU environmental policy, many of the previous regulations and policies have focussed on specific point and non-point source water quality problems and have stipulated stringent standards to be achieved within specified time limits. In sharp contrast, the WFD aims to establish a planning and management framework for sustainable use of water and the ecological restoration of entire river systems, many of which do not fit neatly within the political or administrative boundaries of the Member States. Public participation in planning and management decisions is a key aspect of the WFD. This paper describes the specific requirements of the WFD for public participation and examines their implementation in the Ribble basin in North West England. The Ribble is part of a EU river basin network designed to test the WFD implementation guidelines issued by the European Commission. Particular challenges associated with engaging stakeholders in WFD implementation are highlighted and recommendations for future practice are offered.     

国外流域综合管理模式对我国河湖管理模式的借鉴

针对我国现阶段河湖管理采用流域管理和行政管理相结合的模式,管理实践中存在着流域管理机构与主导政府机构权责不清、公众有效参与不足的问题,以美国五大湖流域、英国东南流域、澳大利亚墨累-达令流域、法国卢瓦尔-布列塔尼流域等为例,对美国、英国、澳大利亚、法国、德国5个主要西方发达国家的各自最有特色的河湖管理模式中流域管理机构、主导政府机构、公众参与、流域管理特点进行了分析及归纳总结,以期对我国最近提出的流域综合管理提供参考。     

Contrasting water securities: the Mexican state facing downstream stakeholders in the Suchiate transboundary river basin

Based on extensive interviews, fieldwork and archival research conducted in southern Mexico, this article explores and analyzes contrasting water-security perspectives of diverse stakeholders in flood-prone portions of the transboundary Suchiate River basin. Complexities of transboundary water issues along an international river that is also a border produce power relationships between the Mexican state and inhabitants, plus historical tensions with riparian neighbour Guatemala, and diverse meanings among local stakeholders. The Mexican state conceptualizes water security as a conventional national-security issue, whereas the basin’s rural inhabitants consider it a matter of human security, albeit in diverse ways that provoke internal conflicts.     

Integrated river basin planning and management: a case study of the Zayandehrud River basin,Iran

This study applies the concept of integrated water resources management (IWRM) to a river basin in Iran, and in so doing, proposes a framework for implementing IWRM principles. Issues such as stakeholder participation, sustainability in several subdomains, scenario analysis, dispute resolution, climate change and well-designed models have been considered. Through a river basin simulation model (RIBASIM) and sustainability criteria, stakeholders made decisions for improving the level of sustainability in the basin. The result of decision making for the future was tested under climate change impacts, and the outputs showed serious challenges, so a strategy is proposed for overcoming these impact effects.     

Trends and issues in delivery of integrated catchment scale river restoration: Lessons learned from a national river restoration survey within Scotland

This paper provides data on the changing character of river restoration within one country within a single policy and legislative framework. The information gathered was based on web searches, meetings and questionnaire responses with organizations and individuals working as environmental policy developers, stakeholders and practitioners of catchment management and river restoration. The paper utilizes this information to explore generic issues promoting and constraining a move to integrated catchment scale river restoration. Catchment scale river restoration was defined as ‘any river restoration activity that singly, or in combination, restores natural catchment processes and a naturally functioning ecosystem and brings benefit or environmental services to the whole catchment and not just to the site of restoration’. The river restoration project data compiled showed that the number of projects in Scotland is on a strong upward trajectory, but the number of catchment scale projects is still limited. The data also showed a trend towards a range of underpinning reasons for river restoration. Traditionally the reasons for river restoration in Scotland have been strongly fisheries focussed, with another key driver being biodiversity conservation. Sustainable flood management and climate change adaptation are seen as emerging drivers of river restoration. In terms of the individuals interviewed, most appreciated that river restoration can bring about multiple benefits and should be underpinned by a good understanding of catchment processes. Our overall assertion based on our study is that unless there is a fundamental paradigm shift, a change in the nature and level of funding for river restoration and a single organization is given overall authority to direct river restoration. ‘business as usual’ will continue and the benefits of catchment scale river restoration will be limited. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

When the river does not naturally flow: a case study of unsustainable management in the Tagus River (Spain)

ABSTRACT

This article assesses the main problems facing the Spanish Tagus River basin, and the management that has caused (or allowed) them. It examines the economic, social, environmental and political-institutional dimensions of Tagus River management in terms of sustainable development. We find that the institutions responsible for designing and implementing water policy in the Tagus basin have been unsuccessful in balancing the three classic dimensions of sustainability, resulting in systematic and recurrent failure to comply with the European Water Framework Directive and the principles of sustainable development.     

The Use of System Dynamics Simulation in Water Resources Management

In this paper we discuss the use of system dynamics as a methodology with which to address dynamically complex problems in water resources management. Problems in regional planning and river basin management, urban water management, flooding and irrigation exhibit important short-term and long-term effects, and are often contentious issues with high potential for conflict. We argue that system dynamics combined with stakeholder involvement provides an appropriate methodology to address these issues effectively. We trace the theoretical and practical evolution of system dynamics in these areas over the past 50 years. From this review of the literature and selected case studies we identify and discuss a number of best practices and common pitfalls in applications of system dynamics simulation.     

Characterization of river channel adjustments in the thames basin,south-east England

The increasing involvement of fluvial geomorphology in river channel management has highlighted the desirability of being able to predict spatially differentiated river channel adjustment in relation to prevailing drainage basin characteristics. An exploratory analysis, using data derived from geomorphological reconnaissance surveys and maps, was carried out with the aim of characterizing river channel adjustments in four catchments within the Thames basin. As many of the variables are categorical in nature, logistic regression is utilized to generate multivariate equations which relate four styles of adjustment to catchment characteristics describing rock type, gradient, land use and channel management. Using only the variables which are statistically significant provides a goodness of fit of around 50%. Geomorphological interpretations of the characterizations are provided and, in general, indicate the varying balance between areally extensive natural controls and more localized human influences in shaping the individual styles of adjustment. In the studied lowland environment it appears that few channels are capable of recovering their sinuosity after channel management, thus highlighting the importance of conserving currently sinuous channels and the restoration of previously straightened reaches. Low gradient rural channels set on Chalk or clay favour deposition and thus may be targeted for maintenance operations. Erosive enlargement of the cross-section is promoted where channel straightening takes place in zones of high gradient; an option which should be minimized to reduce further management expenditure.     

流域综合管理改革的观点分异研究

流域管理面临种种挑战,而流域综合管理成为了当前研究的热点。为了辨识长江流域综合管理改革中可能出现的问题,以水利部、省主管部门、长江水利委员会3个行政层面为研究对象,着眼改革的内容、策略、方向和方案,采用社会学的调查法,收集3个层面的原始信息,以认知率、满意率、认可率等指标衡量和分析层面间的差异。结果表明：在大多数涉及改革的问题上,行政层面间存在明显的观点分异。该研究方法可丰富改革的决策依据,值得深入探讨。     

浅谈潭江流域开平河段水污染控制规划

针对潭江流域水污染状况。结合开平河段的实际情况提出了潭江流域开平河段主要水污染物排放总量控制，总量控制源、总量控制目标的规模与分配、污染j醺排放总量控制与削减措施，水污染控制设施。水污染控制规划范围、城市污水治理方案水土流失和面污染源防治措施，以达到对水功能区和入江河排污口实施污染物排放总量控制的目的，为潭江水资源保护管理提供科学依据。     

晋江构建流域和区域水资源管理模式

水资源流域管理与行政区域管理相结合的管理体制中,要合理划分流域和区域的事权,建立权责明确、和谐统一的水资源管理体制和机制。晋江流域通过建立统一管理体制,明确划分事权,建立统一协作机制和监管平台,探索出一套流域和区域水资源管理和谐统一的晋江流域模式。     

枫木冲流域水资源的开发与利用

介绍苍梧县枫木冲流域概况和原一级开发方案的不足及停建原因,提出3级开发方案,并与原一级方案比较,简述其优缺点及目前实施情况。     

Hydrology,management and rising water vulnerability in the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna River basin

A water vulnerability analysis is made of how sensitivity characteristics of the Ganges–Brahmaputra–Meghna (GBM) River basin may affect adaptive capacity. A co-riparian ‘country perspective’ highlights the importance of local level management actions. Results reveal that vulnerabilities in India and Bangladesh stem from hydrological and ecological factors, but are more linked to poverty and underdevelopment in Nepal. Poor political governance and underinvestment in the water sector add to vulnerability in Bangladesh and Nepal. Overall, Bangladesh is the most sensitive country while Nepal has the least capacity to adapt.     

Analysis and evaluation of large‐scale river restoration planning in Germany to better link river research and management

In December 2008, the draft programmes of measures (PoM) have been published in the EU member states, which list the measures that will be taken to enhance the ecological status of surface and groundwater bodies, and to reach the environmental objectives of the EU‐Water Framework Directive (WFD). We have analysed the German PoM to identify the main pressures and the restoration measures water managers planned to implement in streams and rivers. The objective was to evaluate the PoM and to identify the main, practically relevant knowledge gaps in river management on which applied river research should focus on. In general, the selection of measures in the PoM was reasonable. In accordance with the analysis of pressures and impacts in Germany, the PoM focussed on measures addressing morphological alterations and river continuity, and the results indicated that diffuse source pollution and fine sediment input were additional main pressures in Central European streams and rivers. Although point source pollution was not a main pressure in most rivers, respective point source measures have been selected for many water bodies. Apparently, these were so‐called basic measures that have to be taken due to other EU‐Directives or national laws. Therefore, although in line with the WFD, it seemed doubtful if the point source measures would help to substantially enhance the ecological status. Furthermore, the results indicated that there was a general lack of knowledge on the effect of restoration measures and a specific knowledge gap in how to enhance the ecological state of heavily modified water bodies (HMWB) in the lowland region with a high land‐use pressure, which was reflected by the high share of water bodies for which conceptual measures have been selected (e.g. developing management plans). Based on the analysis of the PoM and a literature review, we identified the following, practically relevant knowledge gaps in river management: (i) the morphodynamics of river reaches where natural channel dynamics have been restored, (ii) the combined effect of measures addressing diffuse nutrient and fine sediment input at different spatial scales (e.g. riparian buffer strips and land‐use changes), (iii) methods to identify suitable and efficient measures and to define environmental objectives for HMWB and (iv) the effect of measures on less well‐studied biological groups like macrophytes and phytoplankton. There is a strong need to summarize recent research results on these issues, to identify the knowledge gaps and research needs in detail, and to make the results of such a comprehensive literature review or meta‐analysis available for the next 6‐year management cycle and second WFD management plans. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

流域初始水权配置的协商仲裁机制设计

流域水资源的多区域共享性会造成水资源相关配置主体产生利益冲突,协商仲裁机制是解决平等主体间利益矛盾方式之一。从降低取水成本及优化水权配置角度出发,设计了协商仲裁机制模型．利用纳什公理化模型求得各区域用水量的纳什协商解。在证明取水公平的情况下,该协商仲裁机制的设计既能降低各地区的取水成本,增加各地区的取水效用,又能够节约流域整体的取水成本,提高流域水权配置效率,实现全流域水资源配置的优化。     

流域管理中公众参与的探讨与思考

流域综合管理已成为水资源管理的有效模式.有效的公众参与成为流域综合管理成功的关键因素.对公众参与流域管理内涵、流域管理中相关利益群体分析及有效的公众参与方式三方面进行总结与探讨,提出随着流域良治理念的深入,有效的流域管理公众参与需要对相关利益群体进行界定,应用多学科方法与工具吸引尽可能全面的参与者与群体,并在参与过程中加深公众对管理行为的理解,提升公众的参与能力,从而引导公众对环境做出科学决策,同时认为,尽可能全面而广泛的流域管理公众参与将是实现流域良治的有效途径.     

流域水资源水量水质集成管理模型研究进展

将流域水资源水量水质集成管理模型分为优化模型、模拟模型、优化和模拟相结合模型以及决策支持系统四大类,按此分类总结了目前国内外研究的相关进展,并针对模型中出现的水量水质耦合项,分析了直接求解法、大系统分解协调技术、逐步求解法和情景优选法等水量水质变量的解耦原理和技术,并展望了流域水资源水量水质集成管理模型在水资源优化配置、生态环境需水配置和水资源冲突协调领域中的应用前景。     

流域水资源一体化管理及其理论框架

概述了水资源一体化管理的发展历程,在综合国内外机构和学者对水资源统一管理看法的基础上,对流域水资源一体化管理的定义进行了探讨,分析了流域水资源一体化管理与传统水资源管理的区别,提出了流域水资源一体化管理的理论框架。最后,应用理论框架,对国外2个典型流域的水资源一体化管理实践与经验进行了分析与评述。     

清流河流域水文气象要素历史演变特征

利用清流河流域1961-2012年的降水、气温、蒸发和径流量资料,采用数理统计方法系统诊断了不同尺度水文气象要素的历史演变特征。结果表明,近50年,清流河流域夏季气温呈非显著升高趋势,年与其它季节气温呈显著性升高趋势,在2007年之后,年和季节气温均存在下降的态势。年降水量和夏、冬季降水量呈增加趋势,春、秋季节降水量呈非显著性减少趋势。年水面蒸发量和除春季之外的季节水面蒸发量呈减少趋势,在清流河流域蒸发悖论现象突出。径流量的演变趋势与降水的演变特征总体一致,年和季节径流量均呈增加趋势,其中冬季径流量增加趋势显著;年和季节降水径流量之间的相关系数均在0.65以上,降水是径流量变化的主要驱动要素,因此,未来气候变化特别是降水变化对水资源的影响应引起足够的重视。     

基于VIC模型的滦河流域综合干旱指数的构建与应用

干旱频发已成为严重制约社会经济可持续发展的重要因素,但由于干旱形成机理复杂,影响因素众多,目前尚无公认普遍适用的干旱指数,因此寻找并构建适用于研究区的综合干旱指数成为当前研究的热点和重点。本文以滦河流域为研究对象,选取1960-1979年为研究期,通过对降水距平百分数、相对湿润度和由VIC模型的中间变量-土壤含水量计算得到的土壤相对湿度指数进行主成分分析,构建了适用于该流域的综合干旱指数,对研究期的旱情进行了评价,并与标准化降水指数(SPI)、帕默尔指数(PDSI)的评价结果进行比较,验证其适用性。结果表明:基于VIC模型的综合干旱指数能较好地评价滦河流域历史旱情。该研究在提升海河流域干旱监测和评价能力方面具有一定的理论与实用价值,也为其它流域的干旱评价具有参考价值。