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 and as agreed following the EU intercalibration exercise5;

“biota taxon” means a particular aquatic taxon within the taxonomic rank “sub-phylum”, “class” or their equivalent;

“cyprinid waters” means a type of lake or river which, in the Department’s judgement, would support a sustainable fish population dominated by cyprinid species;

“Directive 2009/90/EC” means Commission Directive 2009/90/EC laying down, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, technical specifications for chemical analysis and monitoring of water status6;
“existing obligations” means the obligations (on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy) under Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council7 (“the original Directive”) before it was amended by Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council8 including, in particular, the achievement of good surface water chemical status in relation to the substances and the associated environmental quality standards listed in the original Directive;

“matrix” means a compartment of the aquatic environment, namely water, sediment or biota;

“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;

“salmonid waters” means a type of lake or river which, in the Department’s judgement, would support a sustainable fish population dominated by salmonid species;

“shellfish waters” means any shellfish water classified under the 2003 Regulations;

“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 policy9 as amended by Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council10;
“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 Policy11 as last amended by Commission Directive 2014/101/EU12.

(2)

Any word or expression used in these Regulations and the Directive, the Water Framework Directive, Directive 2009/90/EC, or the 2003 Regulations and not otherwise defined in these Regulations shall have the same meaning for the purposes of these Regulations as it has for the purposes of the applicable Directive or Regulations.

(3)

The Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 195413 applies to these Regulations as it applies to an Act of the Assembly.