INDEX

 

EXEMPTIONS TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES UNDER THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE
Article 4.4 (Extension of Deadlines), 4.5 (Less Stringent Objectives) and 4.6 (Temporary Deterioration)
(Posted 8 February 2008)

The Water Directors endorsed this WFD CIS (Common Implementation Strategy) Policy Paper during their meeting on 29-30 November 2007 in Lisbon. It has become evident that Article 4 of the WFD is the heart of this legislation and the crucial element to achieve a high level of protection of our waters as part of a sustainable water management, which also takes account of the social and economic needs and realities. This paper aims at ensuring adequate comparability between Member States’ approaches and at providing useful and practical information to Member States’ water managers, stakeholders and NGOs, and interested citizens. This paper is drafted by an informal drafting group of Member State representatives, stakeholders and NGOs. Further work on a common understanding of ‘disproportionate costs’ will take place in the framework of the CIS Strategy in 2008.

A copy of the Policy Paper is available on the CIRCA website:
(http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/wfd/library?l=/framework_directive/thematic_documents/environmental_objectives&vm=detailed&sb=Title)

‘PROMOTING EARLY ACTION’
Work Programme and Mandate for 2008-9
Working Group F on Floods
(Posted 8 February 2008)

The newly adopted Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks shall be closely coordinated with the Water Framework Directive. The Common Implementation Strategy (CIS) therefore also supports the implementation of the Floods Directive, through Working Group F on Floods.

More details on the work programme and mandate of that Working Group is given in the informal document  as agreed by the Water Directors on 29 – 30 November 2007:
(http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/env/wfd/library?l=/framework_directive/floods_programme&vm=detailed&sb=Title)

NETWORK OF THE HEADS OF
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AGENCIES
A New Website Connecting EPA across Europe
(Posted 8 February 2008)

A new website connecting environmental protection agencies (EPA) across Europe was launched on 18 December 2007 with the support of the European Environment Agency (EEA). The website is primarily a tool to increase co-operation between members of the ‘EPA Network’ — an independent coalition between heads of the various national environmental and protection agencies. The website, which is hosted by the EEA, will also allow the public to see what role EPAs play in countries other than their own.

The new website can be found at:
(http://epanet.ew.eea.europa.eu)

INTERNATIONAL THIESS RIVERPRIZE
(Posted 8 February 2008)

Awarded during the Riversymposium the Thiess Riverprize was conceived to give recognition for outstanding achievement in the restoration and preservation of rivers and waterways. It celebrates the world’s best practice in the stewardship of our most finite and endangered global resource, water. First established in 1999, the Thiess Riverprize, now valued at AU $500,000, offers the highest monetary award of river management prizes, and global recognition at the annual International Riversymposium in September, which attracts more than 600 participants at all levels of river management in government, science, industry, environmental and community groups from over 50 countries.  Among the past winners are the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) in 2007 and the Mersey Basin Campaign in 1999.

Nominations for the 2008 Thiess Riverprize will close on March 28th, 2008.

Full details on how to enter are available on the Riversymposium website:
(http://www.riversymposium.com/index.php?page=International)

EUROPEAN FLOODS POLICY
(Posted 17 December 2007)

On 18 September 2007 the Council finally adopted a Directive of the European parliament and of the Council on the assessment and management of flood risks (EU Floods Directive). The Directive requires Member States to first carry out a preliminary assessment by 2011 to identify the river basins and associated coastal areas at risk of flooding. For such zones they would then need to draw up flood risk maps by 2013 and establish flood risk management plans focused on prevention, protection and preparedness by 2015. The Directive applies to inland waters as well as all coastal waters across the whole territory of the EU. The Directive shall be carried out in co-ordination with the Water Framework Directive, notably by flood risk management plans and river basin management plans being co-ordinated, and through co-ordination of the public participation procedures in the preparation of these plans. All assessments, maps and plans prepared shall be made available to the public.

The Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L 288/27, 6/11/2007). The Directive entered into force on 26 November 2007.

A copy of the Directive and further information on the implementation of the Directive and on the EU Floods Action Programme can be found on the Europa website:
(http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/flood_risk/index.htm)