Managing our water is essential to support life and protect our ecosystems. Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) is about bringing water issues, people, and organisations together at the right scale in order to achieve effective management solutions which benefit all stakeholders. It incorporates what legislation says we need to do (i.e. from the top down), with the aspirations of the community (i.e. from the bottom-up). It integrates environmental, economic and social issues within a catchment into a coherent management strategy. Expert guidance can help communities to participate in the development, and implementation of an agreed vision of sustainable land and water use for their catchment.


This research examines how the ICM approach can improve the interface between the land use planning system, water services delivery, and Water Framework Directive (WFD) implementation. The River Allow Catchment Management Group (RACMG), was examined as a real time practical example of bottom-up engagement with local communities and key stakeholders. Ten case studies from Ireland (Allow, Bantry Bay, Burren, Mulkear, Owenmore, Owenduff, Glenamoy, Lough Leane, Lough Melvin, Raised bog Conservation), and eight case studies from abroad (UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada) were critically examined. Interviews were conducted with programme managers and key stakeholders. Problems, including gaps, barriers and constraints encountered in the implementation of an ICM programme are identified, and recommendations are made to help guide the management of a collaborative catchment group. Guidance for implementing collaborative processes has been produced, and the following key lessons have been identified.


First, adequate funding should be secured before undertaking collaborative ICM projects. Resources are required to commence the collaborative process, sustain the process in the long term, and most importantly, to implement the actions in the catchment management plan. Failure to implement the plan creates resentment within the community and will hinder engagement in the future. Second, the use of creative "hooks" to engage local stakeholders is critical to ensure a wide range of community interests are represented in the process. The most successful projects integrated both social and environmental science to meet community social needs. And third, the benefit of Statutory Authority led projects is the availability of resources and technical expertise. However, Statutory Authorities often struggle to engage with local communities? (outside of traditional stakeholders). An alternative is the use of perceived ?neutral brokers?, such as NGOs or River Trusts to lead the process. This model has met with considerable success overseas. However, the success of this model requires Statutory Authorities to engage and support the process. Having cooperation and predetermined governance structures in place for their involvement with future ICM projects is essential. The recent establishment of a National Water Framework Directive Office will be an important contributor in this regard, and it is expected that this unit will actively support ICM groups. However, it is unclear of how this will influence individual Statutory Authority involvement in ICM initiatives.

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=3122
Resource Keywords	Integrated Catchment Mangement, collaborative group, Water Framework Directive
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2014-W-DS-23
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Environmental Technologies
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any attached datasets, data files, or information objects can be downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source is properly quoted and cited in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Before downloading, users must agree to the "Conditions of Download and Access" from SAFER-Data. These appear before download. Users of the data should also communicate with the original authors/owners of this resource if they are uncertain about any aspect of the data or information provided before further usage.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	1
Project Start Date	Friday 1st May 2015 (01-05-2015)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Friday 1st May 2015 (01-05-2015)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Wednesday 6th April 2016 (06-04-2016)
Published on SAFER	Wednesday 18th May 2016 (18-05-2016)
Date of Last Edit	Wednesday 18th May 2016 at 11:14:14 (18-05-2016)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Wednesday 18th May 2016 at 11:14:14 (18-05-2016)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
Ten case studies from Ireland (Allow, Bantry Bay, Burren, Mulkear, Owenmore, Owenduff, Glenamoy, Lough Leane, Lough Melvin, Raised bog Conservation), and eight case studies from abroad (UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada) were critically examined.

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