1. Pilot River Basin Network: Environment Directorate
Work Plan
European Commission
Environment Directorate
Notes for the Speaker:
Workshop co-organised by EPRO (Environment Platform for Regional Offices) and DG Environment (Unit B.1).
Welcome to the Workshop participants who are from several regions of the Member States and from various regional representation offices in Brussels.

2. Principles of PRB activity
Willingness of PRB for continuation the exercise
Address issues at early stage
Activity to be integrate within the CIS Work Programme 2005 – 2006
Ahead implementation of the WFD – test case to highlight future challenges
Also to explore interlinkages and synergies: specific measures
Enlarged network
Accept minimum working rules

3. Long list of Proposed Focus Areas : To establish priorities
PoM for diffuse pollution from agriculture. Integration of WFD and CAP
Cross-compliance issues - e.g. WFD and CAP
Specific problems within the Mediterranean eco-region – subgroup on WI /MED partner
Integration of wetlands management in the RB Planning
Management issues in transboundary river basins
Article 5 characterisation: explore measures on existing practices
Economic analysis in the development of RBMPs
Monitoring and analitical quality control
Classification: Practical experience to define good status
Assesment and protection measures for Priority Substances/Pollutants in River basins,
Relation on river basin management of other issues – e.g. desertification, soil policy.

4. Some PRBs have already shown interest on some activities:
Management issues in transboundary river basins (with a subgroup on river basins shared with non-EU countries)
Agriculture
Integration of Wetlands Management
Classification: Practical experience
Assessment and protection measures for PS
Monitoring and analytical quality control
Public participation
Article 5 characterisation: Exploring measures

5. PRB Co-ordination Group PRBs and other RBs (PRB1, PRB2, …PRBi)
Organisation
PRB Co-ordination Group
Lead: DG ENV
Secretariat: JRC FA FA FA FA
PRBs and other RBs (PRB1, PRB2, …PRBi)

6. PRB Work plan 2005-2006: Timetable for finalisation
May – June
Approval of the general Work plan by the SCG
Presentation and endorsement from WD
June-September
Complete and define details through consultation with PRB leaders, WG 2B and SCG members (FAs, outputs, timeframe, lead, organisation..)
October-December
Presentation of complete work plan to the SCG and to the WD for final endorsement