What do NGOs want

1
What do NGOs want?

• The moon on a stick, or truth and reconciliation
  in the water environment?

2
The RSPB and Water

• UK charity dedicated to the protection of birds
  and their ecosystems.
• Over one million members, many wetland nature
  reserves
• Work in partnership with Birdlife the European
  Environment Bureau.
• Long history of involvement with the WFD.

3
Ouse Washes SAC, SPA, Ramsar site and SSSI
4
What do NGOs want?

• The Moon on a Stick?

5
What do NGOs want?Ecological Values mean
Biodiversity!

• Article 1a
• The purpose of this Directive is to establish a
  framework for the protection of inland surface
  waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and
  groundwater which prevents further
  deterioration and protects and enhances the
  status of aquatic ecosystems and, with regard to
  their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and
  wetlands directly dependent on the aquatic
  ecosystems.

6
What do NGOs want?Public Participation means
this is our business.
Article 14 Member states shall encourage the
active involvement of all interested parties in
the implementation of this Directive, in
particular in the production, review and updating
of the river basin management plans.
7
Shylock, Merchant of Venice Till thou canst
rail the seal from off my bond,Thou but
offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud Repair thy
wit, good youth, or it will fall To cureless
ruin. I stand here for law.
8
What do NGOs want? Truth and reconciliation a
new approach to environmental governance?
9
The truth about river quality?Over 90 rivers in
England and Wales pass Government standard.

• River Quality Objectives (RQOs) reflect the
  present and future needs of the nation and,
  through consultation, the wishes of local
  communities. They are based on chemical quality,
  and the Government believes they represent the
  best available reference point to establish
  progress in maintaining and improving river
  quality. They centre on ensuring rivers support
  fish. Good quality water for fish is important,
  not just because fish provide assurance about the
  safety of water supplies and the use of rivers
  for recreation and tourism but also because more
  than a million people enjoy angling, and a large
  industry provides tackle and related products to
  supply their needs.

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Phosphate concentration in rivers in England and
Wales, 1990 to 2000
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Strumpshaw Fen
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Wetlands and Wetland Birds

• 1998 Breeding lapwing survey showed 48 decline
  in 10 years in England and Wales.
• 60 reduction in area of grazing marsh/wet
  grassland in the UK since 1945

13
Reconciliation?

• Transparency
• Negotiation around shared values
• Common standards

14
Shared values around nature conservation

• Natura 2000
• Ramsar Convention
• Convention on Biological Diversity
• National designations such as Sites of Special
  Scientific Interest

15
A collective vision for Good Status?

• Based on ecological structure and function
• Incompatible with eutrophication impacts
• Reflects the aspirations of stakeholders,
  including (but not exclusively!) RSPB members.

16
Balance or integration?Stale mate or win/win?

• Pollution control
• Flood amelioration
• Groundwater recharge

17
Morava River

• 75 of floodplain on Slovak side destroyed.
• Nutrient abatement value compromised.
• Traditional meadow management had indicative
  nitrogen retention value of 434t per year.
• Conventional water treatment costs gt 700,000
  Euros per year.
• Proposals for restoration of 140 ha.
• Cumulative cost-benefit analyses showed operating
  profit 3 6 years.

18
Moon on a stick?

• Our existing commitments to nature conservation a
  real driver in river basin planning.
• Good status reflects the concern for the natural
  environment shared by millions of people across
  Europe.
• Our economic analyses promote innovation,
  sustainable solutions and wetland values.

19
Spot the River.?