Project Page Views: [ 725 ]
Project Metadata Element | Details |
Project Title | Preparation for the Proposed EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) |
Research Area | Water |
Project Acronym | WFD |
Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Kenneth Irvine |
Lead Institution or Organisation | University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) |
Lead Country | Ireland |
Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.34449, -6.25867 |
Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
Approximate Project Start Date | 01/11/2000 |
Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/07/2001 |
Project Website (if any) | |
Links to other Web-based resources | |
Project Keywords | Water Framework Directive; Water Quality; Policy; River Basin Management |
Project Abstract | The decline in water quality in Ireland, highlighted in recent EPA reports, coincides with the recent passing by the European Parliament of EC Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, commonly known as the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The WFD will, in due course, supersede and amalgamate a number of existing and more narrowly focused Directives which have arisen in response to environmental pressures on aquatic environments. The WFD is all about preserving and, where necessary, improving the quality of rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters and groundwaters. This will be done by the implementation of River Basin Management Plans, designed to establish an integrated approach to catchment management. The WFD will require scientifically robust quality standards, relevant to individual European Member States. Implementation of the WFD requires partnership among central and local government, independent statutory bodies such as the EPA and Heritage Council, Non-Governmental Organisations and national and local interest groups. Successful implementation can occur only through well-planned scientific and administrative strategies. The EPA contracted Trinity College Dublin in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland and a practising environmental lawyer to review preparations for the proposed EU WFD which are relevant to Ireland. The report which is now complete: 1. Identifies relevant organisations and their potential role in the WFD; 2. Evaluates applicability of existing legislation for the WFD; 3. Summarises previous, and current, research and monitoring programmes relevant for WFD implementation; 4. Identifies the requirements for new and/or modified monitoring techniques, and 5. Makes recommendations for a national strategy for the implementation of the WFD. |