This is the final report to Defra for the Strategic Evidence & Partnership Project. In 2011, this strategic and innovative project (funded by the Defra Chief Scientist) sought to provide evidence that rivers trusts could be given responsibility for delivering good ecological status in their catchments, which reflects GES as recognised by the WFD. It was hoped that this would give confidence to Government in giving responsibility and resources to rivers trusts for the delivery of the WFD without constraint by the current classification system, with the benefit that this will result in ramped-up public support, ambition, delivery, and attract further funding to achieve GES within the required timescale.
