Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (Northumbria River Basin District) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 3242 of 2003).

The Northumbria River Basin District is partly in England and partly in Scotland because a number of tributaries of the River Tyne extend into Scotland. The Regulations therefore adapt and apply the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2003 and the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 in relation to the district to ensure that the Directive's requirements are met for the district as a whole. The principal Regulations otherwise apply to river basin districts that are wholly in England, wholly in Wales, or partly in England and partly in Wales; the Scottish Act otherwise applies to river basin districts that are wholly in Scotland. These Regulations require a new strategic planning process to be established for the purposes of managing, protecting and improving the quality of water resources in the whole district. General responsibility for ensuring that the Directive is given effect in relation to the district is placed on the Secretary of State. Related general duties are placed on the Secretary of State, the Scottish Ministers, the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.