1. Eutrophication activity
SCG May 2005
Eutrophication activity

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 October
WD November