Environmental goals extended until March 22, 2023.

Where do environmental goals come from?

Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) and the Water Law prescribes the pursuit of environmental objectives for water bodies through the implementation of measures to ensure long-term, rational water management and protection. In Art. 4 paragraph. 1 of the WFD sets an overall goal to be achieved for all surface and groundwater bodies, that is, to achieve good status by 2015, and introduces the principle of preventing further deterioration. In the same article (Article 4 (4-7)), the WFD also allows exceptions to the principle of achieving environmental objectives.

Current environmental goals

The current environmental goals are contained in the water management plans for each river basin district. They were published in the form of regulations in 2016, with the assumption that they would be valid for six years. However, their validity was extended until December 22 of this year as a result of amendments to the Covid Law According to information available at Government Legislation Center documents of new water management plans have not been adopted. There is also no information about their referral for notification or the signature of the Minister of Infrastructure. So all indications are that the new environmental targets will not be published until December 22 this year. In the Dec. 1, 2022, bill adopted by the Parliament. The so-called Gas Law provides for an extension of the Water Management Plans for another three months until March 22, 2023. (Article 45 of the Law deals with amendments to the Water Law).

Environmental goals in practice

What do you need environmental goals for? The answer is simple – to any water consent, to any environmental decision. Environmental objectives are needed where it is necessary at the stage of preparation of documentation to demonstrate compliance with designated objectives for waters and protected areas.

We will keep you up to date on the situation related to environmental goals, inform and suggest what to do in case of changes in the scope of the Water Management Plans.