WG F13-9-Draft Mandate Working Group F- version 2
Mandate Working Group F “Floods”
Version : 3
Date : 25.04.2013
Drafted by: M. Brättemark (COM), M. Adamson (IE),
Next steps: Approval by SCG / WD, 02.05.2013 & 30-31.05.2013.
I.
Introduction
Directive 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks (the Floods
Directive) shall be implemented according to a three-stage implementation process,
with Flood Risk Management Plans to be established by 2015 in coordination with
Directive 2000/60/EC (the Water Framework Directive).
The Floods Directive is in the 1st phase of the implementation cycle, and the need for
ongoing exchange information between member States, with the Commission and
with other EU institutions, groups, projects or international bodies working on
relevant topics has been strongly expressed, and was agreed by Working Group F
(WG F) at meeting No. 13 of the Group (18-19.04.2013).
II.
Objectives
The purpose of WG F is to provide a forum for support for the implementation of the
Floods Directive, for information exchange between European Commission, Member
States and stakeholders on good practices and feedback on implementation and
reporting with a view to reaching a common understanding on the requirements for
the implementation of the Floods Directive, and for linking with other related activities
in the CIS and at EU level for support of the implementation.
The objective of the work programme for this period is to provide a platform for
information exchange between Member States and with other actors (including other
WFD groups) on themes relevant to the implementation of the Floods Directive, and
to finalise reporting schema and tools.
Themes relevant to the purpose and objectives of WG F include, but are not limited
to, those listed in Annex I.
III.
Tasks
i)
Ongoing meetings will be held of WG F at regular intervals (6-monthly), to
provide a platform for information exchange and for discussion on key
implementation issues through the first cycle of implementation. Short
workshops may be held, if and as required, on individual themes, as approved
by WG F, related to the implementation of the Floods Directive. Such Short
Workshops will typically be of a half-day to full day duration and be held backto-back with a meeting of WG F.
WG F13-9-Draft Mandate Working Group F- version 2
Proposed relevant themes include:
ii)

Climate change and adaptation in flood risk management

Civil protection and the critical infrastructure directive, linking to other
work on risk assessment and mapping

Flood hazard and risk mapping and risk management

Publication and public awareness campaigns related to the release of the
flood maps, noting potential impacts in areas such as insurance

Preparation of the Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMPs), focussing on
the development of objectives and processes for identification and
prioritisation of measures, and coordination with the preparation of the
RBMPs.

Trans-boundary cooperation, in particular in relation to measures with
trans-boundary effects and trans-boundary cooperation for crisis
management

Evaluation of implementation and reporting (e.g., PFRA), developing
lessons learned to improve future implementation and coordinate
reporting (in conjunction with WG D) for future cycles.

Links with other sectors

Assessment of flood risk from sources other than rivers and the sea, e.g.,
pluvial, groundwater, dams, etc.

Non-structural measures, including flood forecasting and warning
Full Thematic Workshops to take place if and as required on themes related to
the implementation of the Floods Directive, based on themes and workshop
outlines approved by WG F members. This mandate provides the framework
for these Thematic workshops, whilst the specific themes and dates for
Thematic workshops are to be agreed in workshop outlines. Strategic
Coordination Group (SCG) and the Water Directors (WD) will be informed of
the upcoming events for their approval, and will receive the outcome of each
workshop.
Potential themes for Thematic Workshops are as outlined under Item III.i) and
as indicated in the annex.
iii)
Finalisation of reporting Schema in 2013, and of reporting tools in 2013-2015,
in line with reporting through WISE and with existing provisions under INSPIRE
and future provisions under SEIS, noting that the Reporting Sheets for all
aspects of reporting have been agreed by WG F and approved by the SCG and
Water Directors.
iv)
Development of a resource document on the links between the WFD and FD to
support the achievement of synergies and promote coordination and integration
as appropriate. A draft will be prepared by the established Core Group, in
consultation with WG F and with support from the Commission support services
for end 2013 for review by SCG and consultation with other WFD Groups, with
a view to completion in 2014.
WG F13-9-Draft Mandate Working Group F- version 2
IV.
V.
v)
Input into other CIS and EU-Level activities, including:

Research and the CIS SPI (a research sub-group may be formed to
support the WG F research contact point if further interaction with SPI
and DG Research is developed / required)

Developments in natural water retention measures (NWRM)

Development of guidance on economics and flood protection and
prevention (lead by DG ECHO Civil Protection) as well as the prevention
of natural of natural and manmade disasters initiative, the community
mechanism for civil protection and other civil protection activities and
initiatives
vi)
Development of reports, handbooks, guides or other documents on an adhoc
basis, subject to specific mandates approved by WG F, SCG, and Water
Directors.
Deliverables
A.
Support to MS, based on information exchange, in the implementation of the
Floods Directive through the first cycle, including the production of flood maps
(2013) and FRMPs (2015), transboundary cooperation and coordination with
the WFD.
B.
Agreed reporting schema (end 2013) and tools (2013 – 2015) for the
implementation of the requirements for flood mapping and the FRMPs under
the Directive.
C.
Resource document on the links between the WFD and FD (draft end 2013 for
review by SCG and consultation with other CIS Groups)
D.
Links with, and input to, other flood-related COM activities, including the CIS
SPI, DG Research, DG Clima and DG ECHO civil protection and disaster risk
reduction and resilience activities.
E.
Meeting reports of WG F and reports of Short Workshops, and of Thematic
Workshops and / or ad-hoc documents on themes relevant to the
implementation of the Floods Directive, subject to agreement on mandates for
specific tasks.
Links with other activities

Information exchange activities to be undertaken as necessary to link and
coordinate with other relevant Water Framework Directive and CIS activities,
including reporting, co-ordination of the implementation of the Water Framework
directive and the ‘Floods’ directive, NWRM and climate change adaptation,
biodiversity, economics and hydro-morphology.

Information exchange activities to be undertaken as necessary to link and
coordinate with other relevant EU level activities, including civil protection,
accident prevention, integrated coastal zone management, agriculture, critical
infrastructure, regional and structural development and, JRC’s activities on floods
including the European Flood Alert System and in coordination with DG RTD,
relevant research initiatives.
WG F13-9-Draft Mandate Working Group F- version 2
VI.
Timetable
WG F plenary meetings will take place regularly (6-monthly). WG F Thematic
workshops may be organised if and as required, subject to approval of SCG and
WD. Drafting groups can be organised according to need and specific mandates.
VII.
WG F Tasks
Reporting formats
WG meetings
Thematic
Workshops
2013
2014
2015
Directive Tasks
Flood Maps
FRMP
2013
2014
2015
Structure and organisation
The structure and organisation will depend primarily on the new CIS Structure.
However, it is foreseen that a floods group or formation will exist. If so, then the
group / formation will operate to the following structure.
Agenda of WG F meetings to be set / agreed by chair / co-chairs, and to include
elements on WG F and Directive tasks, information exchange and links with other
activities. The purpose of the meetings is to provide a platform to meet the stated
purpose and objectives of WG F. Discussion papers may be prepared and presented
by members or the Commission to facilitate information exchange and achieving a
common understanding on specific relevant themes or issues. The working
documents, minutes and presentations of WGF meetings are made available in a
dedicated CIRCA site, with public access.
Members are in principle one main delegate per Member States and international
inter-governmental bodies, such as international river basin commissions, regional
seas. Additional contact persons can be appointed, and additional participants can
attend the meetings. Stakeholder organisation representing relevant flood risk
management interests at the European level can be members according to the
CIS/SCG rules. Relevant research or other EU relevant projects, and also o can be
invited on an ad-hoc basis. Other inter-governmental bodies, such as WMO,
UNESCO and UNISDR, may also be members.
WG F Thematic workshops may be organised each year by members in
conjunction with open organisation committees, based on agreements in WG F on
which themes to address and according to Workshop outlines as agreed by WG F,
subject to approval of SCG and WD.
The Drafting group on Reporting will finalise its primary work no later than 2013.
The aim is to develop reporting schema and tools in line with the Reporting Sheets
previously agreed and approved, ensuring that reporting via WISE provides for
appropriate visualisation and is fully INSPIRE and SEIS compliant (as appropriate to
the time of the reporting stage). Some tools may only be developed in 2014 – 2015,
in line with FD deliverables and reporting dates.
WG F13-9-Draft Mandate Working Group F- version 2
The Core Group was established to develop the resource document on the links
between the WFD and FD. This group will continue this function.
Other Drafting groups for specific documents or other tasks may be set up upon
agreement of a mandate by WGF/SCG and WD.
VIII.
Outreach
The first cycle of implementation of the ‘Floods’ Directive will be substantially
completed during the period of this mandate. The focus of outreach activities by WG
F will hence be to ensure coordination with the implementation of the WFD, as well
as transparency of activities at EU level in relation to the requirements and
implementation of the Directive. EC will ensure clear information is provided on DG
ENV Europa internet pages and CIRCA. The results of information exchange on key
themes addressed at workshops will be made available to the public via CIRCA.
IX.
Lead countries/organisations
Name
Mark Adamson
Barbro Naslund-Landenmark
A
Organisation /
Member State
OPW, IE
MSB, SE
E-mail
Mark.adamson@opw.ie
Barbro.naslundlandenmark@msb.se
WG F13-9-Draft Mandate Working Group F- version 2
ANNEX I
Themes relevant to the purpose and objectives of WG F:














Flood risk management plans,
Flood mapping,
Risk mapping and assessment
Coordination in implementation with the WFD
Trans-boundary cooperation
Climate change and implementation of the Floods Directive,
Economic assessment and funding of flood risk management measures,
Vulnerability assessment,
Links with civil protection at national and European level, such as the
Prevention of natural and Manmade disasters Initiative, the community
mechanism for civil protection, etc
Links with the whole risk management cycle, from prevention, preparedness,
early warning, response and lessons learned
Specific flood types where further knowledge is necessary for implementation
such as flash floods, pluvial floods, groundwater floods,
Links with protection of critical infrastructure directive
Reporting including Links with INSPIRE and SEIS
Other specific issues arising from the requirements for the implementation of
the Directive