Water Management and Protection in the EU

Abstract

In this chapter, the author analyses the Water Framework Directive (WFD) as the key legal instrument regulating water management and protection at the level of the European Union (EU) from the viewpoint of involving different levels of government in water governance. The chapter begins by identifying the institutional roles and responsibilities for water management and protection deriving from the innovative regulatory approach of the WFD and from its interactions with the Floods Directive, as well as its public participation dimensions. It turns to a discussion of relevant elements emerging from the practice, through the implementation of the WFD at the EU level in the context of the Common Implementation Strategy (CIS), but also from incipient case law and cooperation with international river commissions. The chapter singles out lessons learnt and continuing challenges in effectively and openly involving different levels of government in water management and protection at the EU level. Keywords:Common Implementation Strategy (CIS); European Union (EU); floods directive; public participation; Water Framework Directive (WFD); water management