Water Management under the EU Water Framework Directive A European (German NGO) - Perspective

1. Water Management under the EU Water Framework Directive • A European (German NGO) - Perspective • Input in Nicosia, Cyprus on 28 November 2009 Michael Bender GRÜNE LIGA e.V. (Green League) Bundeskontaktstelle Wasser (Water Policy Office) Internet: www.wrrl-info.de (German, Czech, Polish, English) Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung: www.forumue.de

2. UNECE – Environmental treaties • UNECE – United Nations Economic Commission on Europe • Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution; • Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context; • Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes; • Convention on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents; and • Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.

3. UNECE • Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakesdone at Helsinki on 17 March 1992 • intended to strengthen national measures for the protection and ecologically sound management of transboundary surface waters and groundwaters. • obliges Parties to prevent, control and reduce water pollution from point and non-point sources. • The Convention also includes provisions for monitoring, research and development, consultations, warning and alarm systems, mutual assistance, institutional arrangements, and the exchange and protection of information, as well as public access to information.

4. UNECE Water Convention • the Protocol on Water and Health • was adopted in London on 17 June 1999 • In the European Region, 120 million people do not have access to safe drinking-water, and even more lack access to sanitation, resulting in waterborne diseases such as diarrhoeal diseases, hepatitis A and typhoid fever (170,000 estimated cases in 2006). Microbial contamination has been recognized as the prime concern throughout the European Region. Chemical pollution is localized but may also have a significant impact on health.

5. European Water legislation • EU-Water Framework DirectiveEnvironmental Objective: Good statusmanagement of river basinsUse of economic instrumentspublic participation requirementsGroundwater DirectivePriority Substances Directive • Flood DirectiveFlood risk maps, mitigation measures • EC-Communication on Water and Droughts

6. ECOLOGICAL STATUS { No or very minor HIGH Physico-chemical { QualityStandards GOOD Slight + { MODERATE Moderate Prevent deterioration { POOR Major Restore { BAD Severe EU-Water Framework Directive Graphic: Peter Pollard

7. EU-Water Framework Directive • Key Steps for Implemtation • Improvement of the hydromorphology and restoration of habitats • Assurance of biological permeability • Natural development of floodplains • Reduction of nutrient inflow, especially from agriculture • Reduction of toxin inflow

8. European perspective • European River Basins Map by Stefan Gunkel / European Rivers Network

9. EU-Water Framework Directive • Timeline for Implementing the WFD (1) • 2003 Transposing into national law and defining competent authorities • 2004 Initial survey of water status in river basins (Report 2005) • 2006 Establishment of monitoring networks • 2006-09 Preparation of the River Basin Management Plans • Schedule and Work Program (2006) • Overview of the main water management issues (2007) • draft of the plans and programs (2008) in consultation with the public, with a six-month deadline for submitting comments

10. EU-Water Framework Directive • Timeline for Implementing the WFD (2) • 2009 Completion of the River Basin Management Plans • 2009-12 Implementation of operational Measures • 2010 Effective water pricing • 2015 Accomplishing the Environmental Goals • Beginning of the Second Planning Cycle • 2021 End 1. Extension time period • 2027 End 2. Extension time period

11. European perspective • Water Working Group of the European Environmental Bureau – EEB (+WWF)NGO-Meetings in Brussels twice a yearCommon evaluation of progress in implementing the Water Framework Directive and other relevant EU-legislationA Strategic Complaint was taken on board by the European CommissionStrong NGO-Presence at WISE-Conference

12. EEB/WWF: 5 key priorities • Five priorities for better water management: • • Transparent and publicly owned water management • • Reducing wastage and using water well • • More space for living rivers • • Healthy, safe water for people and nature • • Visionary and adaptive water policies

14. Germany • River Basins in • Germany • Rhine, Danube • and Elbe are • transboundary • rivers • Management tool: • European Water Framework Directive

16. European Water legislation - Germany • GRÜNE LIGA-Factsheetsshow good practice examples +describe subject and approach • Topics:biological continuity, hydromorphology, nitrates and phosphorus pollution, water fees, water supply, …

17. Reducing CO2-emissions from wetlands • Drained peat bogs cause high CO2-emissions of up to 24 t/ha*a • => 30% of all agricultural CO2-emissions in Germany • Restoration (inundation) would reduce emissions at only 0 - 4 € per t • => very cost-efficient • possible use: => e.g. alder plantations (high quality timber) • Wetland/Bog-programs needed/changes in EU agricultural policy

18. International Water Issues – EU/Germany • Other Water Cooperation initiativesEUWI – European Water IntiativeGerman Water Partnershipaims to promote exports of the German Water industry, but also includes the Environmental Ministry and the Ministry of Technical Assistance as well as UniversitiesBerlin Water Partnershipincludes Berlin Water works;organized the „Second International Water Conference“ that has focused on Asia-German Cooperation

19. Regional issues – Waterway extension Traffic Infrastructure Project „German Unity“ Nr. 17 – Extension of 180 km of Waterways

20. Regional issues – Waterway extension • Joint campaign of regional NGOs

21. Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit! • Thank you for your attention!