Page 30 - Freshwater-Biology-and-Ecology-Handbook

CHAPTER 1 1.2

1.2 Water Framework

Directive technical

guidance

The WFD is a complex Directive designed to
implement and ensure equivalent implementation
across all Member States. The introductory aims
and objectives of the Directive are clear. These set
out the core principles of river basin management
and are relatively easy to read and understand.

The core technical elements of the Directive are contained
in the WFD Annexes. These are more complex and
technically challenging to read and understand. The intention
was always to develop the technical guidance needed to
implement the WFD via a series of Common Implementation
Strategy (CIS) Technical Guidance Notes. These have been
developed by expert groups, bringing together expertise
from across the Member States. All are available from the
European Commission's website. There is also a specific CIS
Guidance web page. CIS Guidance web page

These CIS guidance documents were developed in
sequence to allow for the implementation of the Directive.
Table 1.1 provides a list of the core WFD CIS documents.

These are essential for the development of monitoring
strategies and biological assessment methods. In the
event of a Member State not implementing the WFD
properly, compliance against these CIS guidance notes
is a key requirement that the EU use to assess ineffective
implementation. They are the starting point for the
development of biological and ecological monitoring and
assessment programmes.
Banded Demoiselles, Calopteryx splendons (FBA)

30 | Freshwater Biology and Ecology Handbook
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