ABSTRACT
An integrated approach towards water management, in which the different functions of the water, such as fisheries, nature, agriculture, drinking water, and recreation, are considered in a coherent way, is the main principle of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD). WFD places ‘public participation’ at the center stage of water management, which is remarkable for this traditionally relatively technical field. ‘The success of the Directive relies on close cooperation and coherent action at Community, Member State and local level as well as on information, consultation and involvement of the public, including users’ (2000/60/EC).
