This review aimed to assess the third cycle River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for England and Northern Ireland and how effectively they implement the Water Framework Directive (WFD) Regulations.
The review examined the robustness of the technical approach, the realism of conclusions, the adequacy of modelling and analyses, the expected environmental improvements from Programmes of Measures, the use and justification of derogations, and the handling of transboundary issues. WSP also evaluated the RBMPs against the OEP’s six environmental stewardship building blocks: understanding pressures, creating a vision, setting targets, coherent strategy, governance, and monitoring.
Disclaimer
This report was compiled by WSP in July 2023 on behalf of the OEP. The views provided in this report are those of WSP and do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP. Some of the analysis in this report was used to inform the OEP’s work.