Assessment and management of flood risks

2006/0005(COD)

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Richard SEEBER (EPP-ED, AT), having arrived at an agreement with the Council on the compromise amendments adopted. The main ones were as follows:

- Member States shall complete the preliminary flood risk assessment by 22 December 2011

In the interests of solidarity, flood risk management plans established in one Member State shall not include measures which, by their extent and impact, significantly increase flood risks upstream or downstream of other countries in the same river basin or sub-basin, unless these measures have been coordinated and an agreed solution has been found among the Member States concerned.

- The impact of climate change shall be taken into account in the report that the Commission is required to draw up in 2018 on the implementation of the directive.

- With a view to giving rivers more space, Flood risk management plans should consider where possible the maintenance and/or restoration of floodplains, as well as measures to prevent and reduce damage to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity. The preliminary flood risk assessment must include floodplains as natural retention areas, and the effectiveness of existing man-made flood defence infrastructures.

- Member States should take account of the potential impact of their land use policies on flood risks.  In addition, they call for management plans to include measures to encourage land use practices which are sustainable and improve water retention.

- Flood risk maps must include information on potential sources of environmental pollution as a consequence of floods. In this context, Member States should assess activities that have the effect of increasing flood risks.

- The annex to the directive describes what flood risk management plans should consist of. Any subsequent changes to this annex will be carried out under the new rules governing comitology (regulatory procedure with scrutiny) and will be subject to scrutiny by Parliament.  MEPs were also successful in ensuring that the plans should lay down priorities among the measures to be taken.

- Member States should base their assessments, maps and plans on appropriate "best practice" and "best available technologies" not entailing excessive costs in the field of flood risk management.