The EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) Priority Area 4 “to restore and maintain the quality of waters” (PA4) and the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) are jointly organizing the workshop “New experience in implementation of Article 4.7 of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the Danube Region”.
The one-day event will take place on 12th September 2018 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
Background:
Within the Common Implementation Strategy for the Water Framework Directive and the Floods Directive, the Guidance Document No. 36 on “Exemptions to the Environmental Objectives according to Article 4(7) Water Framework Directive (WFD)” was endorsed by EU Water Directors at their meeting in December 2017. The document focuses on new modifications to the physical characteristics of surface water bodies, alterations to the level of groundwater, or new sustainable human development activities. In order to determine whether Article 4(7) WFD tests need to be applied, a checklist using a four-step approach to establishing project level WFD compliance has been developed by JASPERS. The tool is currently being tested on concrete cases, with a view to widen its application on project preparation assistance and future training activities.
Objectives and expected outcomes:
The workshop will provide a platform to discuss experiences and challenges with the implementation of Article 4(7) WFD in EU Member States of the Danube River Basin. Session 1 will provide an overview of the Guidance document as well as a presentation of the JASPERS checklist tool. Methodological aspects as well as concrete examples and case studies related to Article 4(7) WFD implementation will be presented in session 2. Session 3 is dedicated to focused discussion of Article 4(7) WFD implementation in different sectors such as hydropower, flood protection, navigation and infrastructure projects. Taking into account results of Workshop discussions, conclusions and recommendations will be drawn in order to further support the practical knowledge and application of Article 4(7) WFD.
Second announcement The presentations are availbale below.
Agenda
08.30 – 09.30 Registration of participants
09.30 – 10.00 Opening Session – Welcome speeches by EUSDR PA4, ICPDR, NC SK EUSDR
10.00 – 11.00 Session 1: State of play on the EU level – the new CIS Guidance on “Exemptions to the Environmental Objectives according to the Article 4(7) WFD” and the JASPERS checklist tool
Moderated by: Vladimír Novák, PAC4, Slovakia
10.00 – 10.30 Ismini Kyriazopoulou, JASPERS: checklist tool
10.30 – 11.00 Discussion
11.00 – 11.20 Coffee Break
11.20 – 13.00 Session 2: Experience and challenges related to the Article 4(7) WFD implementation
Moderated by: Balázs Horváth, PAC4, Hungary
11.20 – 11.50 Anna Gaalova; MoE SR, Slovakia: Transposition of the Article 4(7) WFD into the Slovak legislation
12.50 – 13.00 Discussion
13.00– 14.00 Lunch break
14.00 – 15.50 Session 2: Experience and challenges related to the Article 4(7) WFD implementation – continuation
Moderated by: Cristian Rusu, Apele Romane, Romania
14.00 – 14.30 Balazs Horvath, DGWM, Hungary: Implementation of WFD Art 4.7 in Hungary
14.30 – 15.00 Darco Barbalic, CW, Croatia: Cloartian experience and challenges related to the Article 4(7) WFD implementation
15.30 – 15.50 Discussion
15.50 – 16.10 Coffee Break
16.10 – 18.15 Session 3: Examples and case studies related to the Article 4(7) WFD implementation in different sectors; challenges and recommendations
Moderated by: Dejan Trifunovič, Danube Commission
A/ Hydropower
B/ Flood Protection
D/Navigation
18.15 – 18.30 Conclusions and Recommendations
