Guidance

Water Framework Directive assessment for a flood risk activity

How to assess the impact of a flood risk activity and decide whether it supports the objectives of your local River Basin Management Plan.

Applies to England

Documents

Water Framework Directive risk assessment: how to assess the risk of your activity

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Details

You need to show the Environment Agency that your activity supports the objectives of your local River Basin Management Plan or meets strict sustainability criteria.

You must follow this guide if you are applying for a bespoke permit and either of the following apply:

  • your activity could affect a water body that is at high status or high status morphology
  • you’re applying for a flood risk activity permit for a specified type of activity on a main river

The guidance covers flood risk activity permits to carry out any of the following activities:

  • culverts
  • channel widening, deepening, straightening or realigning
  • impounding structure
  • bed reinforcement
  • sediment management - including dredging and de-silting
  • bank reinforcement
  • embankments and set-back embankments
  • by-pass channel
  • bank reprofiling
  • woody debris installation or removal
  • flow deflectors
  • bridges and crossings
  • outfalls

Updates to this page

Published 6 April 2016

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