Interpretation2.

(1)

In these Regulations—

“the 2003 Regulations” means the Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20034;

“biological boundary value” in respect of biological quality elements means the classification boundaries for ecological status as set out in Annex V of the Water Framework Directive;

“the Department” means the Department of the Environment;

“the Directive” means Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy5;

“mixing zone” means an area designated in accordance with Article 4 of the Directive;

“river basin district” has the same meaning as in the 2003 Regulations and, for the purposes of these regulations, shall include “international river basin district” as also defined in the 2003 Regulations;

“river basin management plan” means a plan prepared in accordance with regulation 12 of the 2003 Regulations;

“the Water Framework Directive” means Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Water Policy, as amended 6

(2)

Words and expressions used in these Regulations which are also used in the Directive or in the Water Framework Directive shall have the same meaning as in those Directives.

(3)

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 7 shall apply to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Northern Ireland Assembly.