Presentation by Nicola Bissett of the Tweed Forum to the World Water Day workshop, organised by University of Dundee, held on 22 March 2010.

1. THE TWEED CATCHMENT Nicola Bissett Catchment Management Planning Officer

5. WEATHER

6. DEMOGRAPHY Dispersed population Main urban centres around central Tweed

7. EMPLOYMENT Please note – these figures for Scottish Borders only

9. COURTESY OF SEPA (2009)

10. WFD ECOLOGICAL STATUS Overall 2008 RBMP classification status

11. RBMP PRESSURES Main pressures causing failures are Morphological alterations due to public water interests and rural land uses (around 50 water bodies affected) Diffuse pollution from rural sources (around 50 water bodies affected) Abstraction and flow regulation (around 40 water bodies affected; both public water interests and rural land uses) Point source pollution (14 water bodies on Scottish side) Alien species (2 water bodies in Scottish side)

12. TWEED FORUM “to promote the wise and sustainable use of the whole Tweed catchment through holistic and integrated management and planning”

14. WATER QUALITY Pressures Diffuse pollution Point pollution Regulation by SEPA and EA BUT still Cross border issues “diffuse” nature of diffuse pollution

15. WATER RESOURCES Several reservoirs in catchment Pressures abstraction Agriculture Public water supply Reservoir release regimes now regulated by SEPA and EA BUT still crossborder issues

16. HABITATS AND SPECIES Conservation designations SAC SSSI Other local designations Wetlands SPA RAMSAR Generally “favourable condition”

18. HABITATS AND SPECIES Pressures Invasive species Loss of key habitats wetlands, blanket bog, raised bogs, wet woodlands, riparian woodlands and ponds Insufficient baseline data

19. RIVERWORKS Bank erosion measures, gravel management, flood alleviation, bridge protection and instream habitat improvements Now regulated by SEPA and EA BUT still cross border issues educating public and practitioners

20. FLOOD MANAGEMENT 9% of catchment at risk from flooding Pressures Development on floodplain Lack of catchment wide approach to FM issues Impact of landuse change Floods Directive Need to explore Sustainable FM

21. TOURISM & RECREATION salmon fishery £18 million to local economy outdoor pursuits cycling, mountain biking, canoeing, walking, horse riding heritage sites botanic gardens, castles and abbeys Balancing T&R with conservation needs

24. MAIN ROLES OF TWEED FORUM Facilitating and Enabling Seizing Opportunities Filling Gaps Communicating