1. Setting environmental objectives under WFD

Article 4 of the WFD sets out various requirements for making the programme of measures operational as specified within river basin plans for surface waters, ground water and protected areas.

This includes the ability to set alternative objectives to that of achieving ‘good status’ by 2015 for individual water bodies by using a process of exemptions and/or the setting of less stringent objectives. These are set out in Article 4 of the directive, in particular the “extension of the deadlines” (4 (4)) and the “less stringent objectives” (4(5)).

In addition, the protected area obligations (4(1)) have a range of requirements arising from the interaction with other Community water policies.

As part of achieving the ‘preventing deterioration’ objective under the purpose of the WFD (Article 1(a)), additional guidance will be prepared to address the principles underlying this objective and how they may be applied.

Therefore UKTAG has commenced its assessment of the requirements of Article 4 of the Directive. UKTAG is working in consultation with the Administrations to develop guidance covering the following areas.

- requirements for Protected Areas recognising the interaction with wider community water policy (proposed for release Mar 2006)

- the principles for an objective setting framework for river basin management planning

- the principles underlying the deterioration of status prevention

The UK will continue to work with European Working Groups to develop and establish common approaches.

(Note: guidance documents will be inserted here as they are agreed by UKTAG.