With the EC Water Framework Directive, a new complexion was put on the water policy in Europe. On the way towards a comprehensive and sustainable enhancement of the European waters (groundwater and surface water), the public shall actively be considered within this process.

A three-stage consultation procedure of the first management plan cycle begun already in December 2006 with the disclosure of the time plan and work program, was continued with the information about important water management questions and ended up with the layout of the management plan in June 2009. The opinions were analyzed in detail and, if appropriate, incorporated into the final version of the management plan and the program of measures.

Apart from the formal implementation of the WFD and completion of the legal obligations on the basis of the Water Law (Wasserhaushaltsgesetz, WHG), active public participation plays a prominent role in the RBD Weser. Interested parties shall be directly involved via various instruments in the states in formulation, review and updating of the management plans, as well as in the implementation process.

Local cooperation is established on the level of the federal states, in the framework of which the environmental associations, expert oriented representations of interests (water management associations, fisheries, etc.) and users develop and elaborate the strategies in cooperation with water authorities.

For special problems considering certain areas, round tables are organized in the form of a significant discussion committee. Information events such as area and water forums as well as activities in schools. Information via the internet, printed media, radio and television. Federal states have designated contact points (in German) where the background documents can be viewed. Federal states have published detailed background information (in German) about water status and planned measures in terms of management plans on the internet and prepared them also as electronic water and geographic information systems.

Comments on the draft of the management plan