1. PUBLIC INVOLVMENT IN RBM PLANNING IN LITHUANIA Neringa Pumputyte Vilnius University Water Club

2. Administration arrangements of WRM Ministry of Environment (MoE): Department of Water Resources Joined Research Center Geological Survey Hydrometeorological Survey Marine Research Center Department of Forests and Protected Areas National Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. Regional Departments

3. Department of Water Resources and WFD In August 2001 started to execute the functions of the National Co-ordination Center for Water; Carries a governmental project “Development of the structure for river basin management“, which should last until 2004: -transfering legislation; -gathering integrated information for description of basins; -creating digital maps.

4. Forthcoming change Department of Water Resources Joined Research Center Environmental Agency

5. Information accessability MoE renewed book of references in 2002. Internet page of MoE: - lack of information available; - confusing and complex construction. National and international projects under organisation or implementation: - example – Volunteer Stream Monitoring.

6. Progress in public participation Council of Advisers established in the MoE; it consists of 18 representatives of NGOs. New NGO – Lithuanian Water Partnership (Water Club) – established, the aim of which is: - to organise discussions on water resources management issues; - to stimulate public concern and care of water resources.

7. The main tasks of Water Club: Collect and store information on the activities of water institutions and companies; Facilitate implementation of IWRM; Promote co-operation between water professionals and society on one hand and water professionals and politicians (decision makers) on the other hand; Propagate necessity to secure water resources - life source for present and future generations and environment; Continue implementation of water vision and FFA on the national level.

8. Recent meetings organised Workshop "Groundwater management - challenges of implementation of the EU WFD“. Seminar "Is Lithuania ready to manage water resources according to the EU requirements“. Seminar “Sponsorship of water infrastructure and aspects of water quality management”. Discussion “IWRM in Lithuania – necessity or burden”.

9. Thank you for your attention