FLOOD RISK FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

The next stepsThe next steps

The National Technical The National Technical Advisory Group On Advisory Group On

Flooding IssuesFlooding Issues

An Overview and the An Overview and the FutureFuture

NTAG - Background

• Following flood events of summer 2002

• Ad Hoc Committee of Ministers on Flooding Issues set up in October 2002 to:

“Consider current arrangements for addressing flood risk and how advice and support is provided to those at risk from, and affected by, flooding.”

NTAG – Why was it set up?

To offer advice to the Executive to help:

• in the preparation of technical guidance;

• define sustainable flood management; and

• in the production of the 2nd Generation Flood Risk Map.

NTAG – Why was it set up?But also to provide a forum for stakeholders to

discuss flooding issues such as:

• impacts of Climate Change on flooding;

• links between flood prevention schemes and planning, and

• social impacts of flooding.

NTAG – Who’s involved?Wide membership calling on expertise from:

• Local and central government• SEPA• Scottish Water• Scottish Natural Heritage• NGOs• Academia• Industry

NTAG – The Sub-Groups

NTAG set up 3 Sub-Groups to take forward the work plan.

NTAG Main Group

Sustainable Flood

Management

Sub-Group

Guidance Sub-GroupMapping and Hydrometric

Data Sub-Group

NTAG – The Sustainable Flood Management (SFM)

Sub-GroupThe SFM sub-group has produced a draft:• definition for SFM, • set of objectives for SFM for all

stakeholders to aim for, and • underlying this, a set of principles to

demonstrate how stakeholders might deliver SFM.

It has also started detailed work on indicators to help measure SFM.

NTAG – The Guidance Sub-Group

The guidance Sub-Group has produced:

• an overall outline of the guidance needed;• draft technical guidance on Economic

Appraisal and Approaches to Risk and• outlines for technical guidance on

Introduction and Overview, the Statutory Process and Strategic Considerations.

NTAG – Mapping And Hydrometric Data Sub-

GroupThe Mapping Sub-Group has:• produced a review on the hydrometric data

network in Scotland and made a number of important recommendations and

• offered expert advice to SEPA on the production of the Second Generation Flood Map.

NTAG – the Future?NTAG final meeting was held on the 23rd

September 2004. But what next for the Executive?

• report NTAG’s findings to Ministers by the end of 2004 with recommendation on whether NTAG should continue;

• complete the technical guidance;

NTAG – the Future? (cont.)

• compilation of national biennial reports covering both river and coastal, and also sewer flooding (from 2005);

• public consultation on the draft definition,

objectives and principles of SFM and

• further the work on SFM, in particular develop indicators and test the outcomes.

NTAG – the Future? (cont.)What next for NTAG?

• Advice on the production, use and review of the Second Generation Flood Risk Map.

• Legislative changes including consideration of the recommendations made in Part B of COSLA report on flooding.

• Future funding of flood prevention schemes - Project prioritisation?

NTAG – the Future? (cont.)

• The EC Communication: Flood risk management – Flood Prevention, Protection and Mitigation.

• The content of biennial national flooding report.

• Learning to Live with Rivers report with a view to identifying and drafting Scottish add-ons.

NTAG – the Future? (cont.)

• The outcomes from Defra consultation on its new Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management.

• European sustainable flood risk management policy.

• The findings from future research studies.

National Technical Advisory Group on

Flooding Issues

A work in progress

NTAG research• NTAG has illustrated the need for a forward thinking and

forward planned research agenda to support flood risk management activity• Knowledge• Understanding• Interpretation• Dissemination• Communication

• Executive has appointed SNIFFER to provide a research and knowledge management service, (see display board)

NTAG research

Two major Projects

1.Flood Risk Management Research Consortium

• Part funded by the Executive• Ensure Scottish representation in the 8

work streams• Ensure direct Scottish dissemination of

findings

NTAG research

2. Coordinated European Research on Flooding• Strategic integration of flood risk

management, e.g. risk maps, asset registers• Identification of knowledge gaps and

opportunities• Scottish representation and communication• Informs European sustainable flood risk

management policy as it develops.

NTAG research• Ongoing SEERAD research into flooding:• Asset Register and Condition Assessment of

Flood and Coastal Defences• Natural Flood Storage and Extreme Flood Events• Other research projects are supported to ensure

Scottish catchments and flood characteristics are considered, maintaining maximum relevance to the professional community engaged in flood management prevention, mitigation and prevention.

Proactive approach• 2nd Generation flood risk maps• Catchment Flood Management Plans

(Europe)• Authorities develop portfolio of responses

(Foresight)• Identify options for sustainable flood

prevention schemes• Balance national and local priorities• Inform future resource needs

Current approach

• Schemes react to severe events• But may not address highest risk• Substantial increase in resource needs• Ten fold increase since 1999• How can future needs balance with finite

resources?• Phasing; Prioritisation?