Eutrophication activity SCG 19-20 May 2005 Eutrophication activity

First part Eutrophication Guidance Version 7.1 under consultation during March First four chapters: Introduction Overall conceptual framework for the assessment of eutrophication Overview and common understanding of eutrophication in EC and international policies The WFD concept of ecological status in the context of eutrophication Annex 1: The understanding of eutrophication Annex 2: Interpretation of the WFD concept of ecological status in the context of the impacts caused by nutrient enrichment

First part of the Guidance Steering Group meeting 21 April General agreement on the first four chapters Revisit open issues after the completion of the second part of the guidance Propose to endorse the structure No further consultation at present

Open issues I Interpretation of key concepts of UWW and Nitrates Directives and related Court decisions “Whole territory approach” (para 41 and 41a) “Significant contribution” (para 126d, first bullet) “Cause-effect link” (para 126c, second bullet) Suggested way forward: attach to the literal wording of the legal documents to avoid interpretation issues that will be addressed elsewhere

Reading across directives Open issues II Reading across directives Interpretation of “may become eutrophic” in relation with status assessment under WFD the need for a distinction between “current assessment” and “trend assessment” (Table 5) Work on second part will help to clarify these points

Second part of the Guidance Chapter 5: Overview of current eutrophication assessment methodologies and criteria in European countries Chapter 6: Harmonisation of eutrophication assessment criteria Chapter 7: Monitoring – guidance and integration of requirements stemming from various obligations Chapter 8: Case studies Chapter 9: Next steps

Calendar Second part of the Guidance Steering Group meeting 5 July Workshop 7-9 September in Brussels Plenary 7 September pm Parallel sessions by water categories on 8 September Plenary 9 September SCG 26-27 October WD 28-29 November