Functions of the Drainage Council
The Drainage Council for Northern Ireland is responsible for ensuring the impartial and uniform application of the Rivers Agency's drainage and flood defence programme throughout the Province
The functions of the Drainage Council are:
Designation of Watercourses |
It is the Council’s responsibility to decide which watercourses and sea defences should be maintained by the Rivers Agency at public expense. The Council “designates” such watercourses and sea defences. Over 6,800 kms of watercourses and 26 kms of sea defences have been designated since the Council was established in 1947. |
Parameters for Designation In deciding to designate a watercourse the Council must be satisfied that any drainage works needed are outside the capability of landowners and that works at public expense on the watercourse would provide value for money. Council decisions on designation or de-designation of watercourses are open to review by the Lands Tribunal on appeal by any aggrieved party. |
De-designation The Council may also decide to de-designate a watercourse or sea defence if circumstances change and its maintenance at public expense is no longer justified. |
Recommendations for designation / de-designation of a watercourse may be put forward to the Drainage Council by any member of the public as well as by the Rivers Agency or Government Departments. |
Consideration of Drainage/Flood Defence Schemes |
The Drainage Council is charged with considering all works/schemes that the Rivers Agency proposes to undertake at public expense to ensure impartiality and value for money. |
The Drainage Council considers: - Rivers Agency’s plans for drainage and flood defence schemes which satisfy cost benefit criteria;
- Details of any emergency works carried out;
- Any drainage issue likely to have an impact on the public;
- Rivers Agency Annual Report and Accounts, and Business Plans.
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Consultee Role |
As determined by the Drainage (Northern Ireland) Order 1973 Part II the Rivers Agency must consult with the Drainage Council on a number of environmental aspects of any proposed drainage/flood defence works or schemes. |
The Rivers Agency must consult with the Drainage Council on: - Drainage/Flood Defence works or schemes which the Agency considers likely to have a significant impact on the environment
- Drainage/Flood Defence works or schemes which the Agency considers not likely to have a significant impact on the environment
- Environmental statements relating to all drainage/flood defence schemes
- Notices regarding environmental aspects of drainage/flood defence works and schemes
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