Public consultation on River Basin planning Fourth Cycle timeline
Date published:
A public consultation on the timetable and work programme for the Fourth Cycle River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Members of the public and stakeholders in agriculture, industry, Northern Ireland Water and Non-Governmental Organisations are being encouraged to have their say on the planning process for the fourth cycle RBMP.
The fourth cycle plan will set management and improvement targets between 2028 -2033 for Northern Ireland’s water environments including rivers, loughs, coastal waters and groundwater.
The Department will use sector specific working groups, online events and other collaborative platforms to ensure that diverse perspectives from across society are incorporated into the planning process as DAERA and NIEA work to identify and tackle the challenges facing our waterways.
The consultation will also offer stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback on the recently published third cycle river basin management plan.
Notes to editors:
- This timeline consultation outlines the fourth cycle work programme timeframe and identifies the key consultation stages the public can engage in. The consultation is planned to run for six months from July 2025 to January 2026.
- The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 require the production and implementation of a RBMP in six yearly cycles.
- All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
- The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110
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