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

2. [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 .

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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