1. WG B Progress report Water Directors meeting Mondorf May 20 and 21
The WG Leaders

2. PRB exercise Phase I
Main objective: test and report on coherence of Guidance Documents in PRBs
Testing was preliminary step leading to the long-term development of RBMP and preparation of PoM
Finalised end of 2004
Main results are summarised in ‘PRB Outcome report: Testing of the WFD Guidance Documents’

3. Objectives PRB phase II
Provide concrete input and case studies in “key areas” identified by the CIS WGs
Present examples and ideas for key elements for the WFD implementation ahead of the deadlines required by WFD
Create networks and activities with other interested partners

4. PRB network and links 19 PRBs for Phase II covering 17 countries
Priorities linked to WFD milestones ( intercalibration, groundwater, priority substances, reporting, agriculture, flood protection, environmental objectives,...)
Linked to the CIS structure – so links to be established with the respective working groups acting as “clients”

5. PRBs activities witin the CIS structure

6. Organisation of Phase II
JRC acting as technical secretariat:
Produce activity reports based on inputs from WG leaders
Organize annual PRB workshop
Update PIE
Operational links and exchanges between PRBs and WGs; IDEAS ARE MOST WELCOME!!
Extending networks (e.g. toward research project participations)
Kick-off meeting planned on 4th July 2005, any ideas for cooperation with PRB to be discussed beforehand

7. Activity on scarcity Drafting group organization
Leaders: France and Italy
- Co drafters: Spain; Cyprus; Research sphere (DG Research, JRC, ARID Cluster, EUREAU); Mediterranean non EU countries (Egypt, Tunisia); WWF :

8. The tasks Producing a document by first semester of 2006 on:
Droughts events management
Water scarcity resulting from supply-demand imbalances
Organising exchanges of informations
2 workshops (Palermo and Brindisi) in 2004 one in Cyprus in 2005
- 1 meeting (Roma) in February 2005 the next one in Paris September 13th

9. The Draft document
CHAP I: Definition and Assessment of the different phenomena
Definition & Assessment of Drought
Definition & Assessment of Supply/Demand Imbalances
Common Principles

10. The draft document CHAP II: Drought Planning and Management
Focus on Crisis Events
Drought Characterization: Historical Analysis
Drought Awareness: Permanent Monitoring
Drought Mitigation Planning: Strategic Planning
Preparedness, Prevention & Proactive Drought Management: Necessary Drought Framework

11. Focus on Long Term Events
The draft document
CHAP III: Long Term Imbalances in Supply and Demand
Focus on Long Term Events
Type of Management for Fulfilling Demands using Available Water
Efficiency of Proposed Measures at Catchment scale

12. NEXT STEPS
June 2005: First deadline for drafting Chapters and Examples
September 13: DG Meeting in order to discuss the first complete draft
November 2005: Final draft to be sent to the Water Directors for validation
February 2006: Spanish Conference on Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects (to be confirmed)

13. Cost effectiveness activity
The mandate has been agreed in December 2004 in Amsterdam by the water directors
The CEA activity/ to help practitioners to implement WFD « in the field » particularly:
To make judgements about the most cost effective programme of measures

14. The drafting group is composed
By people coming from different MS, associated countries and organisation (NL, D, NO,UK, SP, It, UK, HU, Fr, RSBP, Eurelectric, farmers,…) around 15
By people having different background:
- technical
- policy makers/stakeholders
- economist

15. The first meeting of the drafting group
It has been held in Paris on February 16
Four key questions have been identified:
Scale
Uncertainity
Effectiveness of the measures
Cost effectiveness in the planning process

16. Four information sheets
Each question will be adressed throughout a practical information sheet
Each IS will deal with
Definitions of the concept
Appropriate methodologies to treat the problem
Usefulness of the answer in the WFD implementation process
Examples or case studies

17. What’s the main aim of proposed outputs?
To enable public participation in accordance with article 14 requirements
To assess the efficiency of programme of measures and associated RBMP in the light of article 11 in a transparent manner
To help practitioners in the implementation process
To allow a transparent and rigorous economic assessment at places where derogations will be required

18. A proposed timeframe Kick of meeting February 16th in 2005
Second meeting June 7 in 2005
Information exchanges on selected questions during trimester 2 and 3 of 2005
Drafting IS trimester 3 and 4 of 2005
Validation of IS trimester 1 of 2006
Workshop on First IS 2 trimester of 2006
Potential new questions trimester 3 and 4 of 2006
IS endorsement trimester 4 of 2006

19. Activity on Information exchange and research needs
Activity leaders: NL – Marc de Rooy
– Gerard Broseliske
ES – Manuel Menendez

20. Background Mandate endorsed by the WD in Amsterdam
Phase I: Identification of key issues with relevance for EU-level, and prioritisation
- Product now ready for endorsement
Phase II: Identification of knowledge gaps that need further research
- Product to be ready next WD meeting

21. Schematic Phase I Phase II All issues Issues with EU relevance
(policy issues and research needs)
Research needs
June 2005
November 2005
Step 2
Step 1
Step 3
Phase II

22. Driving forces and pressures Key issues
Agriculture is most important issue
Morphology also important.
Municipal wastewater broadly reported
Industries not a topic on EU level, though individual countries experience severe problems
Long range transport of air pollution
Several issues would gain from integration with other policy areas
Most issues are well covered by the CIS programme

23. Other obstacles Key issues
Many countries face difficulties related to data.
Specific interest for ‘how to present outcomes of the art. 5 reports in WFD context’.
Issues regarding international co-ordination, especially with non-EU countries
Several knowledge gaps were identified. This issue will be further investigated in the 2nd phase of the activity

24. Draft conclusions to be agreed upon by the WD
The document is welcomed
The results can be published and widely disseminated
The SCG will be asked to prepare proposals for integration of outstanding issues in the CIS process.
WD encourage the continuation of the process of positive collaboration between CIS and research communities