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1.1.1.      River basin planning process

River Basin Management Plans are plans for protecting and improving the water environment and have been developed in consultation with organisations and individuals.  River basin planning is a strategic decision-making process that integrates the management of land and water within river basin districts. The river basin management planning process aims to improve and support sound and sustainable water management to deliver the requirements of the WFD while balancing the environmental, social and economic needs within the river basin district.

• The river basin planning process started more than ten years ago with implementation of the WFD in national legislation and establishing the administrative structures.
• The river basin planning process resulted in 2004 with an analysis of the pressures and impacts affecting the water environment in the river basin district. The findings were published in March 2005 in the characterisation report required by Article 5 of the WFD.
• River basin planning is a gradual cyclical process that involves public participation throughout. Characterisation is followed by a series of steps shown in Figure 1.1.