This presentation was given as part of the EPA-funded Catchment Science and Management Course focusing on Integrated Catchment Management, held in June 2015. This course was delivered by RPS Consultants. If you have any queries or comments, or wish to use the material in this presentation, please contact catchments@epa.ie It is increasingly being recognised internationally that integrated catchment management (ICM) is a useful organising framework for tackling the ongoing challenge of balancing sustainable use and development of our natural resource, against achieving environmental goals. The basic principles of ICM (Williams, 2012) are to: • Take a holistic and integrated approach to the management of land, biodiversity, water and community resources at the water catchment scale; • Involve communities in planning and managing their landscapes; and • Find a balance between resource use and resource conservation ICM is now well established in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In Europe the ICM approach has been proposed as being required to achieve effective water and catchment management, and is the approach being promoted by DEFRA for the UK, where it is called the “Catchment Based Approach” (CaBA). The principles and methodologies behind ICM sit well within the context of the Water Framework Directive with its aims and objectives for good water quality, sustainable development and public participation in water resource management. In Ireland it is proposed that the ICM approach will underlie the work and philosophy in developing and implementing future River Basin Management Plans.

1. Catchment
ManagementSetting Goals

2. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
1. Build Partnerships
 Identify key stakeholders
 Identify issues of concern
 Conduct public outreach
The Lough Leane Working Group came together on
their own initiative - this is perhaps why they, & the
system, remain in place today
[1] Adapted from USEPA (2008)

3. Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
2. Create and communicate a vision of ICM
 For example: A healthy, resilient, productive and
valued water resource, that supports vibrant
communities.
The Lough Leane Working Group started with a vision
of a clean and healthy lake that would be an
environmental asset and a commercial tourism
attraction – treble dividend (sustainability)
Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments

4. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
3. Characterise the Catchment
 Gather existing data & create catchment inventory
 Identify data gaps & collect additional data
 Analyse data
 Identify causes and sources of pollution
 Estimate pollutant loads
 Evaluate hydromorphological pressures
 Undertake risk assessments
Pressure/pathway/receptor data, design investigations
if needed – existing data might not give the full picture,
include 3D thinking - it takes all sorts of “experts”

5. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
4. Undertake Further Characterisation
 Collect and evaluate local information
 Locate critical source areas (CSAs)
 Undertake investigative monitoring
 Undertake catchment walks
 Estimate load reductions needed
Local information & investigation establishes problems.
Use source apportionment/load calculation, if you
explain the problems local people can help solve them
Background
23%
Urban & Industry
15%
Agriculture
47%
Septic Tanks
12%
Forestry
3%
20 T/year

6. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Source Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3
(T/year) (T/year) (T/year)
Urban
Agglomerations
5.4 1.1 0
Agriculture +
Background
11.9 16.7 16.7
Septic
Tanks
1 1 1
Forestry +
Background
1.4 1.4 1.4
Total
(T/year)
19.7 20.2 19.1
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
5. Identify/Evaluate Possible Management Strategies
 Evaluate existing measures
 Get stakeholder input
 Take account of ecosystem and geosystem services,
water value, pollution sources and CSAs
 Develop possible management options
 Undertake SEA & HDA, as appropriate
 Undertake economic analysis
 Rank the measures
Multi Criteria Analysis engages stakeholders

7. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
6. Design an Implementation Programme
 Set environmental objectives
 Select appropriate mitigation measures
 Develop implementation schedule milestones
 Develop the monitoring component
 Develop an engagement strategy Identify
technical & financial assistance needed
 Prepare RBMP
What, where, how, & when – who does it?

8. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
7. Implement the River Basin Management Plan
 Prepare a work plan with short- & long-term
outcomes
 Implement the measures
 Use metrics to track progress
 Integrate with planning process
 Conduct engagement, including awareness
raising, consultation & collaboration
The system contains goals/objectives, measures,
monitoring & awareness compatible with RBM Plans
WIN-WIN
Cost-Benefit advice
Best Practice farming
Resource Management
where you can!
INCENTIVES
Cross Compliance
Environmental Schemes
Paid Ecosystem Services
Quality Assurance Schemes
“where you can’t!
REGULATION
Water Protection Zones
Nitrate Vulnerable Zones
where they won’t!
Robert C Harris

9. Build Partnership
Create an ICM
Vision
Characterise the
Catchment
Undertake further
characterisation
Identify &
Evaluate Possible
Management
Strategies
Design an
Implementation
Programme
Implement the
River Basin
Management Plan
Measure Progress
and Make
Adjustments
Steps in the Integrated Catchment Management
Process
8. Measure Progress and Make Adjustments
 Analyse trends and outcomes
 Give feedback to stakeholders
 Make adjustments, if necessary
The Lough Leane system remains in place, measures
are progressing and monitoring (adapted) is ongoing,
most importantly the group members bring the
messages to the locals