1. 2009 European Water conference SCG meeting 5-6 November 2008 Maria
2009 European Water conference SCG meeting 5-6 November 2008 Unit D.2 Water and the Marine - WFD Team DG Environment, European Commission

2. Contents Conference – where, when and how?
Conference preparations and documentation
Survey on consultation mechanisms in the Member States
Other campaign tools
Eurobarometer, Webpages, Poster
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

3. Background
Water Framework Directive requires Member States to draw up integrated River Basin Management plans by end 2009 with the aim of achieving good status by 2015.
At the latest at the end of 2008, Member States must prepare DRAFT River basin management plans, and actively encourage public participation on these. The draft plans must be available for comments in writing during 6 months.
To draw maximum attention to this process – and to “check” how well the public is informed of this process, the Commission has decided to launch a campaign on the theme of “River Basin Management planning and public participation”.

4. Charlemagne building, COM, Brussels
Conference
2-3 April 2008,
Charlemagne building, COM, Brussels
Focus on consultation process, SWMIs and draft RBMP
European stakeholders feedback on draft RBMPs
Discussion on strategic water management issues
Distance participation via webstreaming
Invitation to European stakeholders and their members, to Member States and competent auhtorities, MEPs…
Exhibition
First draft programme to be presented shortly
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

5. Preparing the conference
Survey to identify key documents (Workprogrammes, SWMIs, draft RBMP)
s or letters to Water Directors or Strategic coordination group – depending on level if accessibility of information on the internet
Survey on consultation mechanisms:
Contact persons sought in each MSa and/or RBD
Consultants to contact directly to ask for supplementary information
Ecologic, VITO, ACTeon, University of Turku, LENOCI.
Questionnaire made available in advance.
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

6. Preparing the conference
Analysis of SWMIs
Identify significant water management issues as raised by MS
Discussion on strategic water management issues…
First overview of draft RBMP
Consultants to check key issues in the draft RBMP – exemptions, types of measures, etc
However NOT a first COM opinion or comment on the draft RBMP
Invite stakeholders to the conference to give their first impressions of the draft RBMP
Questionnaire made available in advance.
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

7. Conference document Consultation (14.1)
How do Member States try encourage active involvement – media, meetings, questionnaires?
How have views been taken on board in the consultation?
Significant water management issues (14.2)
Driving forces, pressures, impacts – and measures ?
Key trends and conclusions drawn on strategic water management issues at European level
Draft RBMP (14.3)
plans and or experiences so far
Key issues like use of exemptions, types of measures.
Media reports
Case studies – good or bad practices ?
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

8. Flash Eurobarometer on Water
To ask questions to the general public of their awareness of the process and on the perceived problems linked to water
To check if MS requirement to “actively involve” interested parties and the public has worked
To ask a question on the perceived impact of climate change on water – also linked to the CC Adaptation White paper
To – with the Flash EB report – raise the awareness in media and public on the ongoing consultation process, with a view to increase participation

9. water.europa.eu/participate/
Webpages
water.europa.eu/participate/
DG ENV Europa pages > downloadable posters/postcards and other campaign resources
CIRCA>WFD>public library>National implementation documents > Article 14 :
Links, workprogrammes, SWMIs and draft RBMP
WISE static pages – update to ensure more userfriendliness
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

10. (e-) POSTERS
and
(e-) POSTCARDS

11. Thank you for your attention !