WG 4.1 - Integrated Testing in Pilot River Basins Water Directors Meeting November 2002 Project description (Task Packages): TP1. Co-ordination TP2. Selection of Pilot River Basins TP3. Exchange platform among MS TP4. Integrated testing of various guidance approaches Integration of GD Evaluation of PoM Development of RBMPs TP5. Dissemination of results

TP2. Selection of Pilot River Basins Proposals endorsed by the Water Directors at the June 2002 meeting in Valencia B, F, NL (Scheldt), D, F, Lux (Moselle-Sarre) France (Marne) Ireland (Shannon) Denmark (Odense) Finland (Oulujoki) Portugal (Guadiana) Spain (Júcar) Greece (Pinios) Hu, Ro (Szamos) CZ, D, PL (Neisse) New proposals November 2002: Italy (Tevere, Cecina) Norway ( Suldalsvassdraget)

The Suldalsvassdraget River Basin The Suldalsvassdraget (Western and Northern Norway) representative of the characteristics of the Nordic region. (large pristine areas, ecological complexity heavily impacted by hydropower production) Small to medium catchment area (1.460 km2). The PRB closely related to ongoing river basin management programmes at national and regional level Co-ordination and integration with other Nordic PRB Compliance with all criteria

The Mediterranean Dimension Tevere: Size of the catchment 17.400 km2. Integration of national regional and local authorities. Cecina: Size of the catchment 903 km2. The RB is involved in several national programmes regarding renaturalisation of the riverbed and recovery of the fluvial ecosystems.  Compliance with all criteria

The Szamos International River Basin The Szamos river shared by Romania (15.740 Km2) and Hungary (141 Km2). Represents ecoregion 10 and 11. The Romanian partners agreed on commitment and resources. GD to be tested have been identified. Co-ordination with Hungary

General Overview Moselle-Sarre: December 2002. ICPMS. External workshops. WB testing. Marne: WB testing. Co-ordination and interaction activities. 2003 Shannon: December 2002 (familiarisation with GD) Odense: 2003. Preliminary results: April 2003 Oulujoki :(2002 - 2003) Preliminary results: April 2003 Jucar: (2003 - 2005). GW quantitative/chemical status Cecina : End 2002 Suldalsvassdraget: January 2003. Preliminary results: April 2003

Issues to be clarified For the Scheldt: Situation of the INTERREG proposal For the Szamos and the Neisse: Present situation concerning the commitment of the countries concerned (Hungary, Romania, and Poland, Czech Republic, Germany) For the Tevere, Cecina and Suldalsvassdraget: Approval for the WD

TP3. Organise an Information Exchange Platform Action I Overview of projects carried out in each country on testing at river basin scale Questionnaire sent to authorities and institutions Action II “Establishing the Basis for Testing in Pilot River Basins” Reviewed the PRB proposals Discussed how to conduct an integrated validation of the Guidance Documents (involvement of co-ordinators of PRB activities and WG leaders).

TP3. Organise an Information Exchange Platform Description of PRBs (team resources, envisaged work, major pressures). What integrated testing of GD means? Organisation of information exchange (feedback mechanism - expert network) Integration into WFD CIS process. What are we expecting from the output of the PRB testing? How do we ensure the build-up of PRB network interactions? Terms of reference

Terms of Reference (ToR) The Integrated Testing is a front-runner of the actual implementation (focus on Key Issues of particular relevance). The objectives of the integrated testing are set around two deadlines: the first covering the 2002-mid 2004 period, the second aiming at the end of 2005.

Terms of Reference (ToR) A phased approach: Phase I: Focus on testing of Key Issues, set up an on-line dynamic feedback and information exchange, and identify new Issues The time frame: till mid 2004 Concentrating primarily on issues in the Guidance Documents related to the reporting commitments on Article 5 due March 2005.

Terms of Reference (ToR) A phased approach (cont.): Phase II: Develop a comprehensive manual (experience gained, problems faced and solutions proposed leading to a potential revision of the GDs). Continuation of information exchange. The second phase will end during the third quarter of 2005.

Terms of Reference (ToR) A phased approach (cont.): Phase III: Extend the integrated testing to issues in the Guidance Documents not considered in the previous Phases. Contribute to producing a Program of Measures and a River Basin Management Plan. The work envisaged during this Phase would initiate during the second half of 2004.

Terms of Reference (ToR) Timetable: Finalise ToR Platform information exchange by the end of the year 2nd Workshop early 2003

PRBs in the Candidate Countries Some Candidate countries have presented a PRB or mentioned their intention to submitt a proposal: Nitra (Slovakia), Harju (Estonia) Daugava (Latvia) Hungary Slovenia Romania Czech Republic Issue to be clarified Relationships with the ISPA initiative (preparation of the ToR) and relative timetable

TP3. Organise an Information Exchange Platform Workshop 2: The objective of the Workshop “State of art of the Pilot River Basin testing exercise” is to review activities in ongoing PRB projects share information. Moreover establish the starting point for the PRB in candidate countries (Ispa funded).

Issues for comment by the WD Clarification on several PRBs proposed by Member States and Candidate Countries: the Scheldt, Neisse, Szamos. Approve the proposals: Tevere, Cecina and Suldalsvassdraget Point of view on ToR document. Pilot River Basin proposed by Candidate countries through Ispa funds to be formally presented.