This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Proposals to protect water environment
19/04/2004
Proposals to ensure the long-term protection of
Scotland's rivers, loch and streams were unveiled today.
The draft regulations, issued for consultation, will
strengthen controls and ensure a healthy future for
Scotland's water courses.
Central to the regulations is the introduction of a
stringent management regime and the introduction of
controls on the abstraction of water, pollution and
building or engineering works that may harm the water
environment.
Deputy Environment Minister Allan Wilson said:
"The Scottish Executive are committed to working for
a cleaner and safer environment, including our water
environment. That is why we introduced the Water
Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act last March.
Its main aim is to protect our lochs, rivers and coastal
waters for our own and future generations.
"The water environment is integral to the quality of the
life of every person who lives in this country. These
regulations will not only tighten the controls on
activities which could harm the water environment but
include increased provision for addressing any offences
committed."
The consultation will last for three months, closing on
the 9 July. Copies are available on the Scottish
Executive web site at
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/
The proposed regulations are being introduced under the
Water Framework Directive which was introduced in December
2000. The directive applies to all water in the natural
environment - that is all rivers, lochs, estuaries and
coastal waters as well as water under the ground.
It aims to:
• prevent deterioration in the status of surface
water and groundwater bodies
• protect, enhance and restore all bodies of surface
water and groundwater with the aim of achieving good status
by 2015
• prevent or limit the input of pollutants to
groundwater and reverse any significant and sustained
upward trend in the concentration of pollutants in
groundwater
• comply with European wide measures against priority
and priority hazardous substances
• achieve compliance with any relevant standards and
objectives for protected areas
The Act and Explanatory Notes can be viewed at:
www.scotland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2003/20030003.htm
www.scotland.hmso.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/en/2003en03.htm
Further information on the Water Framework Directive can
be viewed at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/about/ERADEN/WEU/00017316/page849409863.aspx