In acknowledgement of this fact, the EU Commission has developed a proposal for a Floods Directive. The draft proposal presented on 18th January basically establishes a frame for flood risk management and draws on the procedures laid down in the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). Under this proposal, member states are required to undertake a preliminary flood risk assessment for their river basins and coastal zones. They need to prepare risk maps for those areas where a significant risk of flood damage has been identified. Flood risk management plans will finally need to be drawn up for these areas. These plans shall provide measures which aim at reducing flood risk and potential damage, with the primary focus being on precautionary measures.
The measures to be expected will comprise a variety of different approaches such as a ban on building in endangered zones, reconstitution of flooded areas and wetlands, technical flood protection measures, installation of early warning and alarm systems. In the case of international river basin districts, the aforementioned steps shall be coordinated by the adjoining member states. Like the WFD, the Floods Directive will also promote public involvement and participation.
(Source: aqua press Int. 1/2006)
