Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1163/18760104-01003005
Title (Primary) Small water bodies and the incomplete implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Germany
Author Möckel, S.
Source Titel Journal for European Environmental & Planning Law
Year 2013
Department UPR
Volume 10
Issue 2
Page From 262
Page To 275
Language englisch
Keywords environmental objectives; small water bodies; Water Framework Directive; Germany; headwaters delineation
UFZ wide themes RU6
Abstract Under the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the European Union obliged all member states to protect all their surface water and restore it to a good condition by 2015. For administrative reasons, they must subdivide their surface water into water bodies and define water body types. The Directive proposes minimum sizes for water bodies. Like some other member states, Germany has interpreted this to mean that small rivers, often called headwaters, and small ponds and lakes need not be identified and delineated as a water body and therefore do not fall under the protection system of the WFD. This paper analyses whether the German interpretation and implementation can be considered correct, given that small surface water elements are not unimportant. In Germany, they account for two-thirds of the overall length of rivers. Like the little twigs of a tree, small rivers have a decisive impact on the whole river basin.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=14072
Möckel, S. (2013):
Small water bodies and the incomplete implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Germany
JEEPL 10 (2), 262 - 275 10.1163/18760104-01003005