The french approach to managing water resources in the mediterranean and the new European Water Framework Directive

Type Article
Date 2003
Language English
Author(s) Henocque Yves, Andral Bruno
Affiliation(s) Inst Francais Rech Exploitat Mer, F-83507 La Seyne Sur Mer, France.
Source Marine Pollution Bulletin (0025-326X) (Elsevier), 2003 , Vol. 47 , N. 1-6 , P. 155-161
DOI 10.1016/S0025-326X(02)00413-7
WOS© Times Cited 25
Keyword(s) Indicators, Quality assessment, Coastal zone, River basin, Integrated management
Abstract The main content of the new European Water Framework Directive is presented. Within its river basin management approach, a special mention of coastal waters status is made. Among the issues at stake are the setting up of river basin management plans, including coastal waters, and water quality assessment system leading to an harmonized definition of quality objectives and their appropriate indicators. The Rhone-Mediterranean-Corsica Water Master Plan, launched in 1996, is considered to be well fitted to this river basin approach and the necessary tools which go with it. It shows up how a river quality assessment system (SEQ) can be adapted to the coastal waters and how it can progressively lead to an efficient set of publishable environmental and performance indicators. Since planning and implementation are devolved to the lowest appropriate level, a close look is then been given at how such a system can work at the local level through different selected case studies on the French Mediterranean coast. In conclusion, some guidelines are drawn up for future initiatives towards integrated coastal area and river basin management.
Full Text
File Pages Size Access
publication-429.pdf 11 78 KB Open access
Top of the page