CMS News Archive
The 2nd MSFD Newsletter highlights progress with transposition and implementation. Between now and 2012 the UK will establish exactly what Good Environmental Status (GES) means for our seas, develop targets and indicators which are relevant for our waters to ensure we achieve GES at a national level.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/legislation/msfd.htm
Marine planning and licensing newsletter had been published report the progress with current consultations and the MMO and its development.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marinepolicy/index.htm
Defra, DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) and the Welsh Assembly Government are today launching a joint consultation relating to Environmental Permitting, with support and advice on the practical implementation from the Environment Agency. Environmental Permitting is a major initiative that has already created a single more user-friendly and modern permitting and compliance framework for a range of permitting and licensing regimes. In this consultation we are proposing to introduce civil sanctions into Environmental Permitting and make a series of other amendments to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. The consultation invites your views on these proposals.The full consultation package can be found on Defra’s website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/env-permitting-regs/index.htm
The UK CCRA process is now well underway and sector reports exist for many key sectors of interest including marine, water, flooding, and biodiversity and ecosystems; there are 12 in total. To submit your feedback on the scoping reports and workshop records please go to and register your details. You will then be sent a username and password which will allow you to login and access the feedback form. The deadline is Friday 3rd September.
This document outlines the key priorities for Defra over the next Parliament and as such it is key for all those looking at the intentions of the Coalition Government. The Government’s three key priorities are:
1. Support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production
2. Help to enhance the environment and biodiversity to improve the quality of life
3. Support a strong and sustainable green economy, resilient to climate change
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/about/what/documents/defra-srp-100716.pdf
One of the three key priorities outlined in the Defra Structural Reform Plan is for a White Paper on the Natural Environment in 2011. Defra has published a discussion paper seeking views on what the White Paper should contain. This looks particularly wide ranging in content seeking to explore 15 key questions.
http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/our-responsibilities/nat-environment/
The Marine Policy Statement (UK) will be the first part of new systems of marine planning being introduced around the UK. It will provide the high level policy context within which Marine Plans will be developed, and set the direction for marine licensing and other relevant authorisation systems. 21st July 2010 – 13th October consultation period. The Marine Policy Statement will be the overarching policy framework for the UK marine area.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-policy/index.htm
The summary of responses to Marine Plan area consultation can be accessed on the following link:
The consultation sought views on the proposed marine plan area boundaries for English inshore and offshore regions and the criteria for selecting the order in which the Marine Management Organisation should begin planning within those regions. A summary of responses to the Marine Plan area consultation can be found on the following link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-plan/index.htm
A new Marine Licensing System introduced by the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 will be launched in Spring 2011. The consultation (England only) sets out policy proposals for the implementation of the new system, covering key aspects including the application process, appeals against licensing decisions, and exemptions. 21st July 2010 – 13th October consultation period
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-licensing-system/index.htm
The Marine Planning System consultation (England) will provide a context for the Marine Policy Statement by outlining the planning system in England as a whole, and has been designed to function both as guidance for the planning function of the Marine Management Organisation and as a wide-ranging description of the marine planning system for the benefit of other interested bodies and persons. 21st July 2010 – 13th October consultation period
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/marine-planning/index.htm
Charting Progress 2 – an integrated assessment of the state of UK seas and its Overview and the Government Commentary on Charting Progress 2. This builds on the initial assessment in 2005.
Stakeholder Consultation now open
Scottish Technical Standard for Marine and Freshwater Fish Farm Installations
Deadline for applications is 17:00 on 4th August 2010
Deadline for applications is Noon, 19th July 2010
The CMS Marine Planning meeting on July 1st highlighted the wide range of tools that were being used to help deliver methodologies such as planning, EIA, SEA and MCZ processes. These tools often call on a range of social science techniques which outwith the experience of oceanographic and environmental scientists; this note highlights the scope for guidance on the use of these social science techniques and appropriate use of the fast developing array of tools.
The summer floods of 2007 highlighted the need for more effective action on surface water management – a point reinforced by the Pitt review; this Defra guidance sets out guidance for those in preparing surface water management plans.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/flooding/documents/manage/surfacewater/swmp-guidance.pdf
The F&WM Act has gained Royal Assent ; it enacts various of the recommendations of the Pitt Review setting out more clearly the duties and responsibilities of different authorities in relation to flooding in general but surface water management, SuDs and partnership working.
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2010/pdf/ukpga_20100029_en.pdf
The statutory provision for the creation of a network of marine protected areas – Marine Conservation Zones - in UK seas was made possible by the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009); Guidance on their establishment is set out in the recently published The Marine Conservation Zone Guidance document.
http://www.jncc.gov.uk/pdf/MPA_100325_MCZPDG_DRAFT_MARCH10.pdf
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