Scottish Flood Forum Launch
The Minister for Environment, Mr Michael Russell, launched the Scottish Flood Forum (SFF) on November 10 2008 in Broxburn, West Lothian.
The SFF - funded by the Scottish Government, was set up by the National Flood Forum and is supported by SEPA.
It will raise awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures, while providing an independent voice for flood victims.
Paul Hendy, formerly of the National Flood Forum (NFF), has become the project manager with overall responsibility for the SFF.
The establishment of the SFF follows a recommendation from the Flooding Issues Advisory Committee (FIAC) in 2007.
The Minister for Environment, Michael Russell said:
"The new Scottish Flood Forum aims to give people practical advice which we can all heed to help protect ourselves against flooding, by raising awareness of flood warnings and self-help measures.
"It is increasingly important to raise awareness of flooding in this way, following one of the wettest summers on record, and the risk is only likely to increase with climate change in years to come.
"Flooding is highly distressing for its victims and the forum will also play an important role in providing an independent voice for those affected by flooding or at high risk from its devastating impact.
"By investing £180,000 in this forum, we aim to provide the means to help people identify and reduce flood risk wherever possible to protect our environment, our people and our economy."
During the launch the Minister visited several families and homes affected by flooding within Broxburn. He also met with members of the Burnside Action Group which was set up in the aftermath of the August 2008 flood events.
The Chief Executive of the National Flood Forum, Mary Dhonau, who has also been a victim of flooding, said:
"It has always been our ambition to open a branch in Scotland and to give the much needed and necessary support to people at risk of flooding in Scotland. We are delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the valuable work we do and is supporting us financially to enable us to work with and support both the victims and those at risk of flooding in Scotland."
SEPA Flood Unit Manager, David Faichney added:
"SEPA welcomes the introduction of the National Flood Forum to Scotland and we look forward to working with them and the Scottish Government to help support Scotland's flood risk communities."
Launch of North East Flood Warning Schemes
Construction of 11 new river monitoring stations on the rivers Dee, Don, Deveron and North Esk are set to get underway starting on November 17, 2008. This is part of a £1million project funded by the Scottish Government and led by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) to implement a new flood warning service for the North East of Scotland.
Around 2,500 homes and businesses will benefit from early warnings of possible flooding, when the schemes go live in early 2010. The areas covered include several large important urban centres such as Aberdeen, Inverurie and Huntly, rural settlements, large areas of agricultural land and significant transportation links.
At the opening ceremony on November 14, 2008, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, said: "The new river monitoring stations will help provide a vital flood warning system for the North East of Scotland. It is more important than ever to be prepared for flooding, following one of the wettest summers on record, and the risk is only likely to increase with climate change in years to come.
"This scheme will provide an essential boost to SEPA's work in providing early warnings to identify and reduce flood risk wherever possible to help protect communities from the potentially devastating impact of flooding."
Dr Chris Spray, SEPA's Director of Environmental Science said: "Climate change indicates that occurrences of flooding are set to become more frequent in the future. Flood warning schemes, such as the ones in development in the North East, will become increasingly important in providing communities with advance warning to help minimise the impact from potential flooding."
SEPA currently operates over 40 flood warning schemes across Scotland. Once a warning is issued, SEPA alerts local authorities and emergency services, giving them advance warning to take action.
The latest information on flood alerts can be obtained either from SEPA's Floodline service on 0845 988 1188 or SEPA's Floodline Website. Information about how to be prepared for a flood is also available from these sources.
SEPA's Floodline Website
RAE COMMITTEE REPORT AND DEBATE
The Scottish Government made its formal response to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee (RAE) Report into flooding alongside a report on the responses to the public consultation on 'The Future of Flood Risk Management in Scotland'.
This coincided with the RAE Committee Parliamentary Debate on flooding, ahead of new flooding legislation which was introduced to Parliament on September 29, 2008.
Ministerial Response to RAE Committee Recommendations
ERA-NET CRUE
Second Common Call - Flood Resilient Communities
Managing the Consequences of Flooding
The Scottish Government Environmental Quality Directorate's Flooding Policy Team are considering with the relevant European partners the applications from Scottish research institutions to participate in the ERA-NET CRUE second common call Flood Resilient Communities - managing the consequences of flooding.
The closing date for applications passed on October 15, 2008. Further information is available from Stan Irvine.
Detailed information is available on our Resources page.
ERA-NET CRUE Resources Page