1. EC GUIDANCE ON IWT AND NATURA 2000 INTRODUCTION
Kerstin Sundseth, Ecosystems LTD

2. Previous meetings
Two meetings in 2009 to discuss scope of guidance key issues raised:
Need for further guidance on how to apply Habitats and Birds Directives to Inland waterways – to complement Platina guide
Clarify existing rules – distillation of existing knowledge not new rules
Promote integrated management of IWT river activities
Clarify ielations between EU environmental laws
Good practice examples to illustrate how done in practice
Ecosystems LTD 3rd EC Rivers WG – Nov 2010

3. First Draft
Review of large volumes of studies and documents for the first draft– will be listed in annex
Structure of guide defined:
Chapter 1: IWT in the EU and EU policy framework
Chapter 2: introduction to Habitats and Birds Directives
Chapter 3: overview other EU env laws and their relation to HBD
Chapter 4: river dynamics and functionality – potential impacts of IWT on these and on nature and wildlife
Chapter 5: Step by Step guide to Article 6 procedure
Chapter 6 : importance of early integrated planning and management – working with nature, master plans, ECMT Joint Statement, ( to draft still
Annexes
Ecosystems LTD 3rd EC Rivers WG – Nov 2010

4. Discussion on first Draft
Structure largely in place but needs input from working group – esp on good practice examples IWT and Natura 2000
Opportunity for detailed comments in writing – meeting to focus on main comments/ issues
Chapter 6 still to be written – will lay strong emphasis on integrated project planning
Future drafts to be submitted to WG in 2011 – next WG to focus on particular issues for clarification discussion?
Ecosystems LTD 3rd EC Rivers WG – Nov 2010