Collection: River basin management plans: 2015
Updated: Added link to Working Together consultation which begins on 22 June 2018.
Current RBMPs
These are the current river basin district (RBD) RBMPs. They’re an update to the first plans published in 2009.
See the 2009 river basin management plans.
A RBD covers an entire river system, including river, lake, groundwater, estuarine and coastal water bodies. The RBD RBMPs are designed to protect and improve the quality of our water environment. Good quality water is essential for wildlife, agriculture and business to thrive. And is one of the means for boosting regeneration (both structural and economic), recreation and tourism.
These updated 2015 plans build on the work already done to protect and improve over 9,320 miles of our rivers over the last 5 years. They set out how a minimum of 680 (14%) of waters will improve over the next 6 years from around £3 billion investment.
The RBMPs support the government’s framework for the 25-year environment plan. And will allow local communities to find more cost-effective ways to take action to further improve our water environment.
Use RBMPs if you need:
- information on the plan for the protection and improvement of the water environment
- to know how future plans may affect an industry sector and its obligations
- to ensure a development proposal considers the requirements of the RBMP
- to apply for an environmental permit
- to contribute to the delivery of the plan or maximise potential funding for a project
Links with the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
There are strong links between RBMPs and the UK’s Marine Strategy which implements the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Measures in the RBMPs will contribute to achieving good environmental status in the UK seas.
See the UK’s Marine Strategy Part 3: programme of measures.
RBMPs in England and Wales
Use the map to find your RBD.
There are 11 RBDs in England and Wales. The Environment Agency manage the 7 RBDs in England.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) manage the Western Wales RBD. NRW and the Environment Agency jointly manage the Dee and Severn RBDs. See the RBMPs for Western Wales and Dee on the NRW website.
RBMPs in Scotland
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Environment Agency jointly manage the Solway Tweed RBD. See the Solway Tweed RBMP on the SEPA website.
Update to the RBMPs
RBMPs must be reviewed and updated every 6 years.
The review and update of the current RBMPs is now underway. The Working Together consultation (the first of 3 between now and 2020) began on 22 June 2018. Find information on the Working Together and the other consultations on the Environment Agency’s river basin planning consultation hub.
A consultation on the draft update to 2009 RBMPs ran from October 2014 to April 2015. See the consultation on the draft RBMPs.
For both the review and the update to the RBMPs appropriate public consultation and engagement methods were used. Learn more in the record of consultation and engagement.
The RBMPs have been approved by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They have been prepared in line with Ministerial guidance, fulfil the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and contribute to the objectives of other EU directives.
Learn more about the Water Framework Directive.