Ideas how to participate A.Caune, VAK, Latvia Water Framework Directive Participation of NGOs in the River Water Monitoring Process Ideas how to participate A.Caune, VAK, Latvia

Role of VAK in implementation of WFD Participation in the preparation of the river management plan (based on river watch activities) Role of VAK in bringing public, private interests together Participation of NVO in the Consultation Board of the river basin management

Structure of the Consulting Boards for 4 river basins in Latvia 6 representatives from municipalities 6 members from state institutions 6 members from non-governmental organisations and other interested parties (VAK, CCB, WWF, etc…..)

Role of VAK To play an intermediary role between private ownership interests, environmental protection interests and state and municipal interests in common river management in the scope of water framework directive To play public information role on the equal participation role for all parties involved in river management plan To involve public in decision making processes

Idea for project Existing problem: There are only 32 rivers included in the river basin management plans – which covers 0,5% from all rivers The river quality management for other rivers is poor due to inadequacy of financing, therefore: - We see a role for involving NGO and forming initiative groups for organising river quality monitoring process for those small rivers not included in official reports

How we can organize river monitoring process Training of additional initiative groups to do river quality monitoring by accepted methodology; Methodology available in the web for environmental inspectors and other interested parties; Delivery of results to the environmental agency and local level decision making bodies.

The use of monitoring results The results of the monitoring and elaborated action programs for the river basins (according to the results assessed) will bring us to the common aim of the WFD- to reach good ecological status for the river basins

How CCB network could be of asset To establish a bank of ideas of good water management practice to be usable in other countries in introducing WFD