Draft Mandate 2010 - 2012 Johannes Grath Balázs Horvath (DG Env) Draft for Discussion at WG C Plenary Meeting Prague 28th April 2009

What WG C achieved so far: Development of technical background papers and common understanding of WFD/GWD and its implementation Exchanges of best practice concerning WFD requirements and respective technical reports Supporting the development of GWD Development of supporting guidance documents as there are: N°15 on Groundwater Monitoring N°16 on Groundwater in Drinking Water Protected Areas N°17 on “Direct and indirect inputs” N°18 on Groundwater Status and Trend Assessment N° xy on Groundwater Conceptual Models and Risk assessment (currently drafted) Link to research activities established Implementation and provision of WFD Art. 5 and Art. 8 reports and draft of 1st RBMP 

Does this mean - Everything done? If „yes“ : Good bye, and enjoy Prague If „no“ : let‘s talk about the mandate What are the open Groundwater related questions to be dealt with, what are the „burning issues“?

What could be the mandate? Main aim and objectives: Pursue exchanges and lessons learnt during first phase of implementation WFD/GWD Discuss „burning issues“ and support each other How to manage development of next RBMP  five activities were identified relevant

Draft Mandate 2010 – 2012 proposed activities Exchange of best practices related to implementation of groundwater issues of the WFD and GWD; Contribution to the review of the GWD in 2013; Climate change effects on groundwater – expected pressures and impacts and its consideration in RBMPS; Risk management and implementation of measures Soil-groundwater interaction - considering the soil functions with regard to the conceptual model of GW- bodies and pressures

Activity 1 Exchange of best practices related to implementation of groundwater issues of the WFD and GWD; Threshold values Procedures for status and trend assessment (compliance regime) GW-dependent ecosystems Lessons learnt from 1st RBMP Exemptions Article 6 GWD exchange about hazardous substances etc. ……. Support preparation of 2nd cycle of RBMPs  objective: technical reports summarizing best practice with main emphasis on challenging issues e.g. GW-dependent ecosystems, …

Activity 2 Contribution to the review of the GWD in 2013 Review is foreseen for Annex I and Annex II WG C will provide input for this review e.g. results from activity 1 can be used, moreover Input to be expected from GENESIS  objective: WG C recommendation to EC concerning review of GWD Annex I and II

Activity 3 Climate change effects on groundwater – expected pressures and impacts and its consideration in RBMPS Improving the information basis, Considering broader water management issues related to climate change (e.g. related to land use, or water demand/supply management); Improving/review of monitoring to detect climate change impacts Next RBMP shall be “climate change proofed” What are the requirements for MS within RBMP Link with SSG CC and Water – activities should be based on the outcome of the SSG  objective: Guidance for CC-impact in RBMPs

Activity 4 Risk management and implementation of measures The activity will refer to gather information on the 1st cycle of river basin management and identify major lessons learnt by the MS, competent authorities and stakeholders A particular focus will be given to discuss the assessment (forecast) of effectiveness and efficiency of measures and how to monitor effects.  objective: technical report summarizing the experience made during 1st RBMP development with regard to measures its efficiency and costs

Activity 5 Soil-groundwater interaction - considering the soil functions with regard to the conceptual model of GW-bodies and pressures Soil functions (unsaturated zone?) with regard to groundwater current national approaches in practice to consider soil and groundwater in a complementary way (conceptual understanding) Common examination of GW and soil risk assessment methodologies …..  objective: providing knowledge for CM improvement, risk assessment etc.

Points for discussion: Are the proposed topics for the next period addressing the needs? Are the needs clearly expressed? Number of topics ok? Should soil-groundwater interaction be integrated into risk management? ….