1. WG A Ecological Status Progress report October 2010 – May 2011

2. Issues
ECOSTAT meeting March, Brussels: focus on intercalibration
Progress ongoing intercalibration work
Checking of MS methods to be intercalibrated
Progress in the geographical intercalibration groups (GIGs)
Request for etablishing ad-hoc group hydromorphology and ecological status/potential

3. Guidance on the IC process 2008-2011
Last element of the IC process guidance (Annex V on comparability criteria) endorsed by Water Directors in December 2010 in Spa
Timetable:
Final reports of the IC groups to ECOSTAT: June 2011
IC groups that were granted extension: December 2011

4. Method checking for the intercalibration exercise: what methods can be included in the exercise?
IC process guidance Key principle 6: “In principle, only results from WFD-compliant assessment methods can be intercalibrated. (…) The COM Decision will in principle only include the results of the full intercalibration at the BQE level.”
Checking of methods is a key step of the IC process that should have been completed early 2010
Difficult in practice – IC groups asked for more clarity

5. Method checking for the intercalibration exercise: what methods can be included in the exercise?
ECOSTAT paper with recommendations for the GIGs
General issues (e.g. not all aspects of a BQE covered; no response to pressure demonstrated)
Specific issues for the BQEs
General recommendation: IC groups and/or MS should provide justifications that are strong enough to pass scientific peer review
Paper in principle agreed by ECOSTAT, undergoing final revision, to be completed 15 May

6. Intercalibration progress - Rivers
X – 6-month extension –
additional request for EC phytobenthos

7. Intercalibration progress - rivers
Mostly on track - many results expected June 2011
Additional request for extension for EC phytobenthos
No national methods for NO macrophytes – therefore no intercalibration
Large rivers IC only for phytobenthos and benthic fauna
Open issue: intercalibration of ecological potential

8. Intercalibration progress - Lakes
X – 6-month extension granted

9. Intercalibration progress - lakes
Some groups will complete June 2011 – most December
Possible to finalise for most groups in December, but this will require extra efforts (especially in EC GIG)
Problem areas:
MED (all BQEs except phytoplankton)
Fish (all GIGs except NO and ALP)

10. Intercalibration progress – Coastal
X – 6-month extension granted

11. Intercalibration progress - Transitional
X – 6-month extension granted

12. Intercalibration progress – coastal/transitional
Significant increase of activity
Situation still very difficult in most groups – but most ‘yellow’ groups have a good possibility to finish with extra effort
Most results due December 2011

13. SCG is invited to:
Take not of the state play of the current ECOSTAT activities
To accept the request of the EC Rivers GIG for an extension of the final reporting deadline for phytobenthos until December 2011;
To agree that the presented comments on the progress of the intercalibration exercise will be forwarded to the Water Directors

14. WG A Ecological Status Request to establish an ad-hoc group “Hydromorphology and ecological status/potential”

15. Background
Request from Water Directors to ECOSTAT for a concrete proposal how to deal with intercalibration of ecological potential (by December 2011)
ECOSTAT mandate: exchange of information on HMWB, especially:
Assessment methods sentitive to hymo pressure
Minimum ecological flow
Comparison of methods for defining GEP
Workshop foreseen early 2012

16. Background Initial discussions in ECOSTAT – conclusions:
These issues are closely linked and require specific expertise
Propose to set up a single ad-hoc group to address them
Several MS have already indicated that they are willing to contribute

17. Mandate, objectives, timetable
2- step approach proposed:
Step 1 (June-December 2011)
preparation of a proposal (concept paper) how to deal with the obligation to intercalibrate ecological potential –
First outline June 2011 (for discussion at ECOSTAT Meeting on June 2011)
Final draft October 2011(for discussion and approval at the ECOSTAT Meeting on October 2011); proposal to be submitted for approval by the Water Directors at their meeting in November/December 2011.
preparation of an outline for the workshop on ecological potential – deadline June 2011 (for discussion in ECOSTAT on June 2011)

18. Mandate, objectives, timetable
Step 2 (December 2011 – December 2012) – based on approval of WD:
Preparation of the agenda and background documents for the workshop on hydromorphology and ecological potential (e.g. by preparing case studies) – deadline January 2012
Workshop on Hydromorphology and Ecological Potential in February/March 2012
Conclusions of the workshop and development of concrete proposal for intercalibration of ecological potential – November/December 2012

19. Participation, organisation
Participation in the ad hoc group is open for all MS and stakeholders represented in ECOSTAT
Group will be led by ECOSTAT working group leaders (JRC, UK, DE)
Limited number of meetings, further coordination by communication

20. SCG is invited to:
Endorse the establishment of an ad-hoc group ‘Hydromorphology and Ecological Status/Potential’ under the umbrella of ECOSTAT