Water Framework Directive Pilot in the North West of England

The Water Framework Directive is a key piece of European legislation aiming to deliver long-term protection of the water environment and improve the quality of ground- and surface waters and associated wetlands. As the body responsible for implementing the directive in England and Wales, the Environment Agency is carrying out a pilot in the Ribble Basin which will help define how the Agency will implement the Directive. The web site includes discussion of the "Ribble Effect" on public participation for river basin planning and the Ripple Effect 2004 conference report.