Pilot River Basin Projects (UK & ROI)

A key element of the European CIS process is the integrated testing of guidance documents to ensure their consistency, coherence and harmonisation. This testing exercise is being undertaken through an EU Pilot River Basin network, comprised of fifteen river basin projects across Europe. (Review Circa Guidance for more information.)

Within the UK and Republic of Ireland, there is presently two pilots underway

In the United Kingdom:

The Ribble Pilot River Basin project, located in the North West River Basin District, was formally launched 10 June 2003 and is managed by the Environment Agency

The Ribble pilot will have two key phases of work:

• Testing of the CIS guidance on the 'Planning Process' and 'Public Participation' (by July 2004);
• Preparation of a prototype River Basin Management Plan and Programme of Measures for the Ribble Basin (by May 2007).

For an update on this project link to  http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/northwest/501317/

In the Republic of Ireland

Shannon River Basin District Project is a four year project funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan. The aim of the project is to assist in the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in the Shannon River Basin District.

http://www.wfdireland.ie/SWRBD

http://www.shannonrbd.com/