In order to achieve the Water Framework Directive goal of “good ecological status” Scotland will need a River Basin Management Planning system. This involves adopting a holistic approach to managing the water environment – strategically at a national level and through the development of individual catchment management plans at a local level.

In 1999 SEPA engaged with stakeholders to develop a catchment management plan for the River Dee. Select this link to see the initial consultation document and responses. This identified some of the pressures and issues on Deeside. This early effort has been followed by a more embracing catchment management planning (CMP) group for the River Dee which will identify programmes of measures required to achieve the aim “To manage all land uses within the catchment in a sustainable manner that protects and enhances the habitat and water quality of the River Dee and its tributaries for the benefit of nature conservation, fisheries, water supply, amenity and recreation.”

Every organisation with an interest in or responsibility towards the River Dee is represented on the Dee CMP steering group. The group has agreed on objectives for the River Dee and the stakeholder sub-groups are currently identifying actions to achieve them.

The 3 Dee Vision Project is focusing on three objectives of the plan, namely to improve the water quality of the Elrick and Tarland Burns and prevent the downgrade of water quality in Loch Davan.