The French strategy to meet the challenge of implementing the tools of the European Water Framework Directive

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) has given a strong impetus to the French policy on bio-indication. The good ecological status of water bodies has become one of the major indicators for steering and evaluating water policy. This article presents the points of view of two officials from the Ministry in charge of the environment on the challenge of implementing WFD tools in France, during a particularly active phase for the development of methods and support for public policies. In particular, it was necessary to organize the scientific and regulatory advances and questions into the most coherent and effective public policy possible for the objectives of preserving and recovering the ecological quality of aquatic environments.