Response to SEPA consultation. While we are generally pleased with the format of the report, and the presentation of complex and technical results, we are concerned by the lack of explanation of the underlying processes used to derive the good ecological status, and methods used to classify water bodies into risk categories. We are especially concerned by the exclusion of the NGO sector from the discussions about the ‘reference condition’, what is meant by ‘undisturbed’ conditions, and the meaning of ‘good ecological status’. The pressures and impacts report provides little explanation about how the reference condition was used to derive good ecological status, and how water bodies failed to meet good ecological status.
See also: Covering letter