Public information and consultation & the Water Framework Directive - a Commission perspective! Fontevraud, France, 13-14 November 2008 Maria.Braettemark@ec.europa.eu Unit D.2 Water and the Marine - WFD Team DG Environment, European Commission Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Some issues to be addressed ! Article 14 – requirements and importance What is public participation ? A European level participatory approach Why is the Commission interested ? What is the sitaution so far on implementation? A 2nd European Water conference Conference – focus public particpation and river basin management planning ! Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Article 14 Public information and consultation 1. Member States shall encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive, in particular in the production, review and updating of the River Basin Management Plans. Member States shall ensure that, for each River Basin District, they publish and make available for comments to the public, including users: Upon request access shall be given to background documents and information used for the development of the draft River Basin Management Plan. 2. Member States shall allow at least six months to comment in writing on those documents in order to allow active involvement and consultation. Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Article 14 Public information and consultation a timetable and work programme for the production of the plan, including a statement of the consultation measures to be taken, at least three years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers; 22.12.2006 an interim overview of the significant water management issues identified in the river basin, at least two years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers; 22.12.2007 (c) draft copies of the River Basin Management Plan, at least one year before the beginning of the period to which the Plan refers. 22.12.2008 Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Why is this article so important ? Article 14 is intended to confer on individuals and interested parties a right to be actively involved in the implementation of the directive… Legal transposition is important to : render legally binding the deadlines and obligations for the national authorities the enabling of individuals to ascertain, well in advance, the full extent of their rights under the procedures provided for in article 14 « Judgement of the Court (Third Chamber), 30.11.2006 in case C-32/05  COM vs LUX» Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Legal transposition check Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Why are we interested ? Assumptions : participatory approach makes decisions better ! Have interested parties been actively involved - have authorities taken this seriously ? Important part of daily life in the COM – letters, complaints, petitions from legal or physical persons… art 14 is often the answer. Transparency added value also in trans-bounday context ! Leads us to the compliance check of the River Basin management Plans when the time comes ! Watchdogs ! Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

What is public participation? HARMONICOP Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Public participation in the WFD supply of information consultation active involvement Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Public participation Pricing policy Pricing policy reflecting cost recovery Pricing policy reflecting cost recovery Legal challenges and proceedings Legal challenges and proceedings Knowledge base within the river basin Knowledge base within the river basin Public participation River basin management plans River basin management plans First environmental assessment First environmental assessment Funding opportunities Funding opportunities Derogations (environmental objective) Derogations (environmental objective) Derogations (time schedule) Derogations (time schedule) Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Who is the "public"? interested parties = stakeholders group organisation person with an interest in the issue (affected / influence) choose relevant stakeholders degree of interest existing institutions same rights? Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

When public participation? preferably from the beginning during different stages in the process every stage requires review of the "why" and the "who" Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Why public participation ? Better informed decision-making, public participation helps to: obtain essential information, experience, creativity get a policy better adapted to all day society, more legitimacy get commitment and acceptation in implementation build a network, culture of co-operation general improvement of the outcome Socially and politically better accepted decision Less legal challenges and proceeding Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Public participation is NOT about: everybody joining everybody deciding always public participation losing control achieving consensus at all expenses BUT about: Management of expectations Two way communication Feedback to participants No predetermined outcome Consultation having an impact Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

An unprecedented cooperation… the “Common Implementation Strategy” 27 Member States, European Commission, and EFTA countries cooperating, actively involving about 1000 people NGOs and stakeholders: WWF, BirdLife, EEB, EWA, Eureau, CEFIC, COPA, ECPA, Eurelectric, ESPO (harbour operators), EPRO (regional offices), etc. Guidance documents delivered in high quality and within set time schedule; joint ownership ensured Pilot river basin testing: PRB network, workshops, reports CIRCA system, CD ROM, WISE Newsletter Already now serving as an example of Good Governance for Europeans and by Europeans Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

A Guidance document on Public participation Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

What do we expect from the process? HARMONICOP Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Water bodies not at risk Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Human impacts on surface water: data provided in Art. 5 reports Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Article 5 : Driving forces In more than 50% of Member states : Urban development Flood defences Power generation (incl. hydropower) Navigation Agriculture Restoration Water and waste water Other industrial uses Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Significant water management issues Do they reflect the article 5 analysis of driving forces, pressures, impacts ? Do they address the objectives of water management Do they address measures already ? Are different interests balanced ? Are key Commission concerns addressed ? Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

What do we expect of draft RBMP Detailed – same format as real RBMP Complete the information gaps… Commission will look at these to check some key aspects such as objectives, use of exemptions, types of measures, including for art 9… Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

A European “campaign” Help spreading the word Improve information flows at European level Keep an eye on the process – watchdog ! Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

European Water Conference 2-3 April 2009, Charlemagne building, COM, Brussels European stakeholders feedback on draft RBMPs Discussion on European strategic water management issues However NOT a first COM opinion or comment on the draft RBMP Target : Invitation to European stakeholders and their members, to Member States and competent auhtorities, MEPs… Exhibition Distance participation via webstreaming Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Conference document Consultation (14.1) How do Member States try encourage active involvement – media, meetings, questionnaires? How have views been taken on board in the consultation? Significant water management issues (14.2) Driving forces, pressures, impacts – and measures ? Key trends and conclusions drawn on strategic water management issues at European level Draft RBMP (14.3) plans and or experiences so far Key issues like use of exemptions, types of measures. Media reports Case studies – good or bad practices ? Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Preparing the conference Survey to identify key documents (Workprogrammes, SWMIs, draft RBMP) level of accessibility of information on the internet Survey on consultation mechanisms: Interviews with contact person Analysis of SWMIs Identify significant water management issues as raised by MS First overview of draft RBMP Consultants to check key issues in the draft RBMP – exemptions, types of measures, etc Call for good/bad practice & speakers… Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Timing of the draft RBMP consultation ? No information on: EL, LT, MT Survey pending: IT EE LU ? FR-Metropolitan CZ ? ES ? Pais Vasco: Jul 08-Dec 08 Baleares: Oct 08-Apr 09 ES FI DE, HU, CY, UK, RO, PL, NL, SI, IE, LV, BE, FR-Islands Notes for the Speaker: FR Corsica Jun 08-Dec 08, DE Lower Saxony no information available BE Wallonia awaiting reply, Bruxelles no information EE supposedly June 09 - Nov 09 LU unclear, supposedly June 09 beginning PT, SK, BG AT, DK, SE Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug 2008 2009 Consultation Periods of MS Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation 27 27

Flash Eurobarometer on Water To ask questions to the general public of their awareness of the process and on the perceived problems linked to water To check if MS requirement to “actively involve” interested parties and the public has worked To ask about the perceived impact of climate change on water To raise the awareness in media and public on the ongoing consultation process, with a view to increase participation Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

water.europa.eu/participate/ Webpages water.europa.eu/participate/ DG ENV Europa pages > downloadable posters/postcards and other campaign resources CIRCA>WFD>public library>National implementation documents > Article 14 : Links, workprogrammes, SWMIs and draft RBMP WISE updated Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

water.europa.eu/participate Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. E-posters & postcards Other campaign material Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

CIRCA Library of national consultation documents and links Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Library of national consultation documents and links Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

WISE Notes for the Speaker: More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet. Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation

Thank you for your attention ! Mise en œuvre de la participation du public dans l’application de la Directive cadre eau - Fontevraud, 13 & 14 novembre 2008 How to implement the Water Framework Directive on public participation