Wetlands and the Water Framework Directive A paper prepared for the Common Implementation Strategy

[To] establish a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters, which: prevents further deterioration and protects and enhances the status of aquatic ecosystems and, with regard to their water needs, terrestrial ecosystems and wetlands directly depending on the aquatic ecosystems .

Drafting Process May 2002: WWF/EEB agree with Commission to draft paper, in recognition of need for common understanding. July/August 2002: first draft circulated, Commission informs CIS members, asks for input. September 2002: revised text produced, paper posted on CIRCA for discussion at SCG.

Contents of the Paper Intention of the WFD, functional definition of wetlands Environmental objectives: Groundwater dependent ecosystems Hydro-morphological elements of surface waters Protected Areas Register Wetlands in Basic and Supplementary Measures Linking wetlands with existing CIS Guidance Documents Addressing problems/obstacles raised by MSs

Integration with CIS Comments/advice: UK Technical Advisory Group, Scottish Natural Heritage, English Nature, Sweden, Nature, Research and WFD Teams of EC, EVALUWET and Wise Use of Floodplains Life Projects, Tisza River Project, Administratie Waterwegen en Zeewegen Working Groups have made progress in cross-referring/ actively raising issue: Monitoring Water Bodies Coast Interest in testing approach within PRBs

Open Issues Peatlands Discuss and resolve with CIS members during drafting, with reference to any guidance on groundwater issues Definitions of riparian, lakeshore, intertidal zones Discuss and resolve with CIS members during drafting, cross referencing to REFCOND, Coast, Water Bodies Legal interpretation of Protected Areas Register Resolve outside of Wetlands Paper

Next Steps Horizontal Guidance ?Inform Water Directors of progress to date November 2002 ?Agree text for Water Directors March/April 2003 ?Take forward under joint leadership, NGOs/Lead Member State ?Work within ECOSTAT/IMPRESS

Next Steps Integrate into existing Guidance ?Develop simple cross-referencing tools, cf Monitoring, Water Bodies, by end 2003 ?Integrate fully with existing Guidance during 2003 as part of PRB testing

Possible ‘Route Map’ for Wetlands Oct 2002 Nov 2002 Dec 2002 Jan – Mar 2003 Mar - Dec 2003 ‘Cross-refer’ in Guidance. TESTING Produce Horizontal Guidance document for Water Directors March 2003. TESTING Wetlands considered during testing, integrated into final Guidance