The Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control has been setting PEVs for surface waters since early 1999, as required by the State Policy on Water Quality Management 1997. Environmental values have been set to recognise the value of our ecosystems but also to recognise the recreational, agricultural and industrial value and uses of our waterways. These values and uses will be used in the development and implementation of NRM plans for Tasmania.

The setting of PEVs is carried out in association with local councils, the Secretary of National Parks and Wildlife, and the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment (as the planning authority for marine farming zones under the Marine Farming Planning Act 1995).

PEVs are set on either a catchment or a municipal area basis. Proposed PEVs for all catchments within the Tasmanian mainland, King Island and the Furneaux Group have been progressively released and all public consultation meetings have now been completed. The process of setting catchment/municipal PEVs will be completed by early 2003.