Flood risk management plans

Implementation of the EU directive on the assessment and management of flood risks

Since the entry into force of the EU directive on the assessment and management of flood risks, new fields of action in the context of flood protection arose. Three steps are given:

• Preliminary flood risk assessment
• Development of flood hazard and flood risk maps
• Preparation of flood risk management plans

In the pilot project, all three steps will be implemented for the exemplary project area, White Elster. The White Elster has its source in the Czech Republic and flows through Saxony and Thuringia to Saxony-Anhalt. A collaboration of the named countries is therefore necessary to meet the requirements of the EU Directive. A consideration of the Czech part of the catchment is not necessary because there is no significant flood risk. After an initial kick-off meeting of the participating (German) countries on 16.09.2009 in Leipzig, substantive issues are discussed. In addition to an intensive exchange of experience, tailored risk maps, hazard maps and a flood risk management plan prepared for the entire German catchment area of the White Elster River will be the result. The knowledge gained in the project findings will be incorporated into the LABEL recommendations for the creation of risk maps and management plans. It will also contribute to the transnational coordination of the procedure for implementing the EU directive.