Keywords
decision support systems, integrated water management, multi-criteria analysis, water planning
Start Date
1-7-2004 12:00 AM
Abstract
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims at establishing “a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters”, (Dir. 2000/60/EC, art.1) for all European Member States. The extent to which protection and management of the water environment are approached in an integrated and holistic way is one of the innovative aspects of the WFD. In order to implement such approach, the WFD foresees the establishment of a Programme of Measures (PM), and the development of a River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for each European River Basin District (RBD) with articles 11 and 13 respectively. To fulfil these requirements, planners need a methodology that integrates environmental, social and economic concerns and that may involve interested parties in the formulation of strategies. The MULINO Project (EVK1-2000-00082) has developed a methodology and a Decision Support System (DSS) that tackles such problems. This paper explains how the MULINO methodology and its software tool (mDSS) structure and manage contributions from decision makers, experts and stakeholders to elicit environmental objectives, identify pressures, analyse human impacts, and make a choice between alternative measures. Links are made with the planning procedures prescribed in the WFD to present how the use of MULINO in WFD implementation could help water authorities meet their obligations, and demonstrate a management approach that is coherent with the new requirements.
River Basin Management Plans and Decision Support
The EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims at establishing “a framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwaters”, (Dir. 2000/60/EC, art.1) for all European Member States. The extent to which protection and management of the water environment are approached in an integrated and holistic way is one of the innovative aspects of the WFD. In order to implement such approach, the WFD foresees the establishment of a Programme of Measures (PM), and the development of a River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for each European River Basin District (RBD) with articles 11 and 13 respectively. To fulfil these requirements, planners need a methodology that integrates environmental, social and economic concerns and that may involve interested parties in the formulation of strategies. The MULINO Project (EVK1-2000-00082) has developed a methodology and a Decision Support System (DSS) that tackles such problems. This paper explains how the MULINO methodology and its software tool (mDSS) structure and manage contributions from decision makers, experts and stakeholders to elicit environmental objectives, identify pressures, analyse human impacts, and make a choice between alternative measures. Links are made with the planning procedures prescribed in the WFD to present how the use of MULINO in WFD implementation could help water authorities meet their obligations, and demonstrate a management approach that is coherent with the new requirements.
