Water Directors meeting European action programme on flood risk management Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005 Adriënne van der Sar European Commission DG Environment Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Flood action programme Package of three pillars: Information and research: facilitating exchange of information, knowledge and experiences EU funding possibilities: targeted approach to funding Proposal for a legal instrument: a Directive Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Stakeholder consultation process Two stakeholder meetings: January and April 2005 Objectives: To inform stakeholders about on going activities at EU level regarding flood risk management To consult stakeholders on three pillars of a EU Flood action programme Two drafting group meetings: March 2005 To discuss and prepare contents of two main elements of legislative proposal for 2nd Stakeholder meeting in April: Flood mapping Flood risk management plans Called before EAF, to make clear that the scope has been broadened called ‘Stakeholder meeting’ Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Facilitating exchange of information, experiences and knowledge Principles: Ongoing process Driven by needs of Member States Using as much as possible existing network structures Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Targeted approach to funding European Solidarity Fund: for emergency operations New Cohesion Policy 2007-2013: “Environment and risk” New cross-border funding Rural Development Regulation: flood prevention and protection measures to be included in national Rural Development programmes. Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Proposal for legal instrument (1) Objective: to manage risks of floods to people, property and environment by concerted, coordinated action at river basin level and in coastal zones in order to reduce the risks of floods Scope: All river basins and coastal zones where potential significant flood risk to people property and environment exist or is reasonably foreseeable No duplication of efforts already taken Flexibility and subsidiarity Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Proposal for legal instrument (2) Elements (1): Preliminary flood risk assessment, to identify: issues and priorities including types of floods to be addressed, based on level of protection and definition of significant risk no significant risk areas if appropriate river basins/coastal zones where Directive is already (partly) implemented Flood mapping, instrument to: Increase public awareness Support process of prioritising, justifying and targeting investments and developing sustainable policies and strategies Support flood risk management plans, spatial planning and emergency plans Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Proposal for legal instrument (3) Elements (2): Flood risk management plans (FRMP): To identify and address flood risk management objectives, promote and implement sustainable flood risk management policies Based on principles Result in: risk assessment objectives, policies and strategies for flood risk management Flood risk management actions and measures, studies if appropriate Opt-out clause, no (new) FRMP necessary if: no significant risk based on preliminary risk assessment, and further to flood maps transitional period for FRMP already (partially) implemented according to future Floods Directive Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005 Links with WFD Provide for optimal synergies and avoid duplication Legislative proposal: River basin approach WFD already now covering all impacts on waters, including flood related measures Public participation Management cycle Regulatory Committee: WFD Committee to be used Implementation: Guidance of both processes by Water Directors Reporting under Floods Directive using WISE Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005 Next steps Improving information exchange, sharing experiences: ongoing process, based on needs MS, to be further elaborated at 3rd stakeholder meeting in September 2005 Targeted approach to funding: negotiations in Council not yet finalised, however principles for eligibility not questioned; MS to include flood measures in their national programmes, depending on their priorities Legislative proposal: proposal by the Commission expected later this year Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005

Water Directors are invited to: Come forward with already identified needs regarding improving exchange of information, experiences and knowledge (preparation of 3rd stakeholder meeting) Comment on scope, objectives and main elements of a proposal for a Floods Directive Water Directors' meeting Mondorf-les-Bains, 20-21 June 2005