1. Progress Drafting Group on Environmental Objectives and Exemptions
Strategic Coordination Group
For the WFD Common Implementation Strategy
Progress
Drafting Group on Environmental Objectives and Exemptions
15 May 2007
Marieke van Nood
Water Framework Directive Team
Unit D.2 – Water and Marine
DG Environment, European Commission

2. Progress -1 State of Play Mandate:
-Common understanding of end of 2007
-Comprehensive guidance document end 2008
DK/COM co-lead
40 members
Meetings in January, April and 5 July
Document will contain 2 parts:
-Part A: general questions
-Part B: assessment of disproportionality
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

3. Part I: general questions
Progress -2
Part I: general questions
General approaches for the use 4.4, 4.5 & 4.6
-before applying exemptions, existing legislation has to be fully implemented
-sequential order between feasibility test and disproportionate cost test
-article 4.6 is of a different order than 4.4 – 4.5
Questions of scale
-exemptions should be reported per water body
-keep the analysis as detailed as necessary but as simple as possible
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

4. Part I: general questions - cont’d
Progress -3
Part I: general questions - cont’d
Transboundary context
Transparency and public support & proportionality of the depth of the analysis
Active participation at an early stage
Management of uncertainties
Ways of dealing with uncertainties suggested
Technical unfeasibility
Don’t take cost savings into account
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

5. Part I: general questions - cont’d
Progress -4
Part I: general questions - cont’d
Common understanding of different notions:
-temporary deterioration
-natural conditions
-natural cause
-extreme floods
-prolonged droughts
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

6. Part II: disproportionality
Progress -4
Part II: disproportionality
-Ultimately political decision based on economic information
-Level of information to be used: qualitative or quantitative, different types of costs and benefits
-Influence of distributional consequences and affordability
-Past expenditures
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.