WFD (Water Framework Directive) Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 water body changes

asNeeded

Post Cycle 1 the river water bodies were mapped from the 1:50k CEH river centreline to the Detailed River Network, the Agency’s high quality river network. As part of this process, a QA of the water bodies (used in the first River Basin Management Plans) was carried out to ensure that they were sensible and fit for purpose. This review was carried out by our Area staff, and tried to address known issues raised by external parties, as well as their own concerns. The review included all the water body categories. All defined water bodies comply with the guidance for the definition of water bodies taken from the WFD, the implementation guidance, and further instruction from defra. In the majority of cases there was little or no change from the water body reported in the first cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP). In others, due to extensive merging or splitting of water bodies, there was a significant change. This process resulted in the creation of some new water bodies, eg by splitting a large water body into 2 small new ones, as well as the removal of many small water bodies which were below the size thresholds set out in the WFD guidance.