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

2. 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, June 2005

3. 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, June 2005

4. 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, June 2005

5. Targeted approach to funding
European Solidarity Fund: for emergency operations
New Cohesion Policy :
“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, June 2005

6. 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, June 2005

7. 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, June 2005

8. 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, June 2005

9. 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, June 2005

10. 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, June 2005

11. 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, June 2005