To achieve the “good status” of Community surface- and groundwater bodies by 2015, Management Plans and a Programme of Measures have to be formulated and implemented in all EU-river basin districts (RBD) and international RBDs. Draft plans and programs were published by the majority of Member States in December 2008, and the aim of this project was to provide a basic overview and a comparison of selected European Member States for the Dutch government.

By comparing the Dutch plans with those of other Member States, the Dutch approach of creating the River Basin Management Plans as well as the Program of Measures were evaluated.

The main points of the Analysis are:

• Definition and classification oft the water bodies
• Identification of the main impact in water bodies
• Current status
• Environmental objectives
• Methodology for choosing the programs of measures
• Presentation of costs
• Source of finance
• Political discussion during the development of the temporarily programs of measures

The outcome of this project will help Dutch administrators to improve and finalize their plans.