A Current Issue in Water Management - Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Carmel Rowlands, Environmental Policy Officer: rowlac@lochlomond-trossachs.org

“I would be really interested in hearing how other National Parks who have a land-use planning role, identify and manage links between Local Plans and river basin management planning. This is an issue we are trying to come to terms with and would welcome comments. At present, we are keeping involved in the River Basin Management Process at the same time as developing the Local Plan. The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency is likely to provide more guidance on this as the river basin planning progresses.  At this stage, we have found that maintaining good working relationships between agencies so that any conflicting issues can be raised is important”.

About Water in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Water makes up a large area of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.  Loch Lomond itself happens to be the largest area of fresh water in Britain.  In addition to Loch Lomond, the National Park includes 22 large lochs, numerous small lochs, approximately 50 rivers and large burns and many smaller burns.  Within the National Park there are connections to three of Scotland’s main river systems – the Tay, the Clyde and the Forth.  Most water resources in the National Park are of very high quality.

There are many interests and values in the water bodies within the National Park – some of which are competing.  The range of values includes natural heritage and landscape, recreation, cultural and economic.  There are drinking water catchments in the Park including Loch Lomond and Loch Katrine, as well as two hydro energy generation schemes located at Loch Sloy and Auchtertyre.  The challenge is managing water bodies in the National Park so that all of these values are considered and provided for.

Working with SEPA

The National Park Authority has a role to work with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) on the development of river basin management plans which cover the Park area.  SEPA is leading the development of river basin management plans for all of Scotland to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive.  This includes ensuring that the goal for all water bodies to achieve good water quality status by 2015 is met.

SEPA has adopted an inclusive approach by establishing eight Area Advisory Groups to provide input into the plan development process.  The Area Advisory Groups have representatives from local authorities, government agencies, utility providers (drinking water and energy), commercial and landowner interests, and conservation interests. The National Park boundaries cover four of the Area Advisory Groups. and the National Park Authority is represented on all of them to ensure that the objectives for water management for the National Park are met.  The National Park Plan contains specific objectives for safeguarding and enhancing the water environment.

Meeting the Water Framework Directive Requirements

As well as involvement in the river basin management planning process, much of the other work the National Park undertakes is contributing to meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. This includes action plans, strategies and initiatives for biodiversity enhancement, land management and landscape protection.  A key issue for the Park is identifying and incorporating the links between the river basin management plans and the new Local Plan currently being developed for the National Park.