Those involved in organising flood risk prevention

Abstract

So far as flood risk prevention is concerned, the complexity of the organisation of those involved depends on the complexity of the type of flood risk involved. In addition to the fact that it is impossible to isolate the risk factors from the other factors connected with the use and value of water, the domains are interlaced and there are many and varied forms of unpredictability. The interactions between those involved in the problems associated with water and flooding are much wider than the official definition of responsibilities would indicate. In this field, there is a lack of precision in the division of responsibilities and the involvement of the people but the issue is even more confused when trying to establish the expectations and attitudes of those who are directly affected by the risks - those who live on the rivers banks and those who use the rivers - as is shown by the difficulties of making known the dangers and of enforcing the public right to know set out in the law of 22 July 1987.