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A European
league table of care for freshwater has placed Scotland near
the relegation zone, according to the global environment network,
WWF. The 'Water and Wetland Index' report published 20th April,
reveals that the Scottish monitoring regime is falling below
average across Europe, and Scotland also lags behind England
and Wales. The
Index focuses on freshwater ecosystems all over Europe aiming
to assess the state of management and ecological health.
"Scotland
takes a 'hope for the best' approach to rivers, lochs, wetlands
and groundwater. We aren't adequately measuring or tackling
the effects of pollution - nor are we ensuring that consumption
of water is not compromising groundwater supplies or river
ecology," said Elizabeth Leighton, Senior Policy Officer of
WWF Scotland. "Monitoring is vital so we can act when a problem
appears."
WWF is
calling for investment in freshwater care - investment it
says is necessary to comply with new standards being set across
Europe - and investment that will be repaid by long-term savings
in flood control, water treatment and public health as well
as extra income from tourism. "The need for investment in
rural Scotland has never been greater - and freshwater needs
to be part of the 'great debate' on stewardship of the countryside
in the aftermath of foot and mouth," Leighton added.
The Index
shows Scotland's rivers in relatively good health and well
monitored. However, lochs, wetlands and groundwater are a
different story. Of the 27,000 lochs, only 150 or so are monitored
at all. WWF claims that government agencies such as Scottish
Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency
are insufficiently resourced to monitor freshwater adequately,
and that even when problems are encountered the agencies are
often powerless to act.
The Index
points to extensive 'diffuse' pollution from agriculture,
and the consumption of water for industrial and agricultural
purposes as key problems. In addition there is a lack of an
overall strategy for freshwater health. Leighton added, "Water
management in Scotland is split between several bodies and
not co-ordinated. Scotland needs to get its act together on
freshwater care - not just to meet the standards expected
of new European legislation - but to ensure the long-term
health of freshwater which in turn will support public health
and the economic vitality of the wider rural environment."
Elizabeth
Leighton added, "It is clear that Scotland needs to raise
its game on nine distinct issues if it is to catch up with
the leading pack on care for such a precious natural and economic
resource. The fact that we lag behind England and Wales should
make the Scottish Parliament sit up and take note."
Main
findings: Looking forward to the Water Framework Directive,
the following is a summary of the issues that need to be addressed
to improve freshwater management in Scotland:
1.
Diffuse pollution from agriculture is expected to be the primary
cause of poor water quality in Scotland by 2010. Diffuse pollution
needs to be quantified and its effects monitored. Scotland
needs a more comprehensive approach to tackling diffuse pollution,
through encouraging habitat enhancement on floodplains as
well as through reduction of inputs.
2. No
control over abstraction - SEPA measures river flows at only
around 600 gauging stations and groundwater at around 150
boreholes. SEPA has no control over abstraction and there
is little information on the effects of abstraction on rivers
and lakes. Statutory control is required for abstraction,
including impoundments, boreholes and irrigation, and 'ecologically
acceptable flows' need to be set to mitigate its impacts.
3. European
protected area network has major problems - Natura 2000 sites
(SPAs and SACs) do not form a coherent network of rivers,
lakes and wetlands, and boundaries around waterbodies tend
to be minimal and do not adequately protect aquatic ecosystems
and key species. Although monitoring programmes are proposed
for Natura 2000 sites (Site Condition Monitoring), these are
complex and there are inadequate resources to monitor effectively.
A better protected areas policy needs to be developed, integrating
good management practice into all use of land and water at
a river system scale.
4. Protected
species in decline - Salmon, great-crested newt, freshwater
pearl mussel and other rare species are in decline. Biodiversity
targets need to be set as a key part of water monitoring and
management.
5. Fragmented
management of fish - There needs to be more publicly available
information on fish to inform management of fish populations
at a river system scale.
6. Monitoring
does not lead to improvement - The response mechanisms following
routine monitoring need to be improved and co-ordinated between
agencies.
7. Lack
of accountability - Responsibility for ensuring Scotland has
healthy lakes, rivers and wetlands does not just rest with
the agencies; all users need to take responsibility for reducing
their impacts on water health, including industry, agriculture
and the general public. Participation of interest groups is
a key part of the WFD.
8. Division
of responsibility for aspects of water management, water quality
(SEPA), habitat quality (SNH), water supply (Water Authorities),
flood management (Local Authorities) and land-use practices
(SERAD), result in fragmented and unco-ordinated water management.
In order to achieve integrated water management Scotland needs
much greater co-ordination between agencies to ensure that
land-use, habitat, water quantity and quality are all part
of management decisions.
9. Fragmented
data - Information is scattered, fragmented and collected
in different formats so trends cannot always be calculated,
there is no co-ordinated framework for monitoring and no link
between water quality and the wider habitat.
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