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1. INTRODUCTION
The Scottish Executive is aiming to achieve and maintain good quality in Scotland's water environment by the year 2015 in line with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. This involves good chemical and ecological status in rivers, lochs and coastal waters and good chemical status in groundwater. The introduction of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 ( CAR) were key steps in carrying out this policy.
Diffuse pollution has emerged as a major threat to water quality in Scotland, as in other countries. Agriculture is the predominant land use in Scotland, and it has been identified as presenting a significant threat to achieving good water status. Forestry is also a major land use, and it may also place certain water bodies at risk. This consultation deals with land use.
The WEWS Act 2003 established a broad framework for the future management of our rivers, lochs, coasts and groundwater. It gives Ministers powers to make regulations to control activities that impact on the water environment.
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