The Administrative Framework
The implementation of the Floods Directive will be coordinated with the Water Framework Directive, which is aimed at achieving good chemical and ecological status in inland and coastal waters by 2015.
The Water Framework Directive came into force through The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. The development of river basin management plans under the Water Framework Directive and of flood risk management plans under the Floods Directive are elements of integrated river basin management.
Coordination of these plans and of the public participation procedures will create opportunities to manage flood risk on a catchment basis in a manner that makes a positive contribution to the water environment. To facilitate the effective coordination of water management the plans required by both of these Directives will be produced for common geographical areas known as River Basin Districts.
Each of Northern Ireland’s individual river basins and coastal areas is assigned to a River Basin District and where a water body crosses into the Republic of Ireland, which is another member state, it is assigned to an International River Basin.
Northern Ireland has one River Basin District and shares three International River Basin Districts with the Republic of Ireland. For the purposes of the administration of the Floods Directive the River Basin Districts and International River Basin Districts are divided into potential Plan Areas. This sub-division will allow for greater technical efficiency in the production of flood maps and plans. Also, by establishing a Local Stakeholder Group in each of the Plan Areas which contain an Area of Potential Significant Flood Risk the public will be able to participate more effectively at a local level.
Maps illustrating the geographical extents and names of the River Basin Districts, International River Basin Districts and Plan Areas can be viewed via the links below.
The Directive also requires Member States to coordinate their flood risk management practices in shared river basins, including with third countries and should not undertake measures that would increase the flood risk in neighbouring countries.
As Northern Ireland shares river basins with the Republic of Ireland, Rivers Agency will cooperate with ROI’s Office of Public Works in the development of flood risk maps and flood risk management plans for these trans-boundary catchments.
