1. Strategic Coordination Group
Brussels, 07/11/07
Strategic Coordination Group
Environmental Objectives and Exemptions - Draft Paper
State of Play
Marieke van Nood
Unit “Protection of Water & Marine Environment”
DG Environment, European Commission

2. Mandate endorsed in December 2006 in Finland;
Progress 2007
Mandate endorsed in December 2006 in Finland;
Common understanding of end of 2007
Comprehensive guidance document end 2008
Technical input by other groups, particularly WS&D and Floods
Drafting Group Meetings in January and April;
Key messages and open issues (from draft paper and minutes) presented to WD in Dresden;
Meeting September (postponed from July);
Version 4.0 was based on September meeting, comments from Drafting Group -> version 5.0;
Discussions are fruitful and views have developed considerably over the last month.
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

3. Text proposed for acceptance in tracked changes;
Current version 5.0
Text proposed for acceptance in tracked changes;
Minor changes in Part A;
Key statements in Part B;
Annex III (prolonged droughts) and Annex IV (costs and benefits).
Other comments listed in separate table;
Separate discussion document prepared to capture discussions on Part B;
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

4. Section 13 – distributional consequences
Key messages:
Ability to pay vs negative consequences;
Negative distributional consequences linked to phasing of measures;
Arguments for phasing measures should be founded upon economic assessment;
Role of alternative financing mechanisms and WFD Article 9.
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

5. Draft paper: Request to SCG
Discuss and agree that part A is to be forwarded to the WD for endorsement in Lisbon;
Discuss and agree that the part B, including key messages in Section 13, are to be forwarded to the WD for endorsement in Lisbon;
Discuss Annex III and IV and decide how they will be forwarded to the WD for endorsement in Lisbon;
Clearly identify open points.
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

6. Open points: Request to SCG
Section 10, p. 16, ‘extreme floods’, 2nd para, <from xxx to yyy>;
Section 11, p. 18, 3rd para, change <it was concluded> into <it was brought in mind>;
Section 13, p. 20, 2nd para, delete <Whilst it will be difficult to argue that distributional consequences play a role in applying less stringent objectives>.
....
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.

7. Discussion document: Request to SCG
Discuss the way in which the common understanding can be further developed and consequently how this part could be presented to the WD for their meeting in Lisbon;
Proposal:
Further development on the basis of discussions at the SCG
Present to the WD with request to agree that it currently reflects the state of play – and include as additional annex
Further discussions at workshop Spring 2008
Refinement and consolidation of further discussions in comprehensive guidance paper end 2008
Notes for the Speaker:
More information on the Directive, the implementation process and also the guidance documents are available on the internet.