 
|
The Water Agency
 |
The Water Agency is an public sector
Statebody , endowed with a civil status and financial autonomy.
It was created in pursuance of the first Water Act of 1964 and
settled in 1968, 36 years ago. The legislation charges the Water
Agency with the responsibility of facilitating activities in
the public interest for the basin (surveys, research, works,
…). Its mission encompasses a broad area – the fight
against water pollution, the protection and restoration of water
resources (rivers and groundwater) and of natural aquatic environment,
and the recovery of water quality, the objective of which is
long-term development and public safety and health. |
 |
| |
|
 |
The Water Agency participates
(fees and subsidies) in the framework of multi-year intervention
programmes which are prepared and approved by the Board of
Directors and the Basin Committee. Its revenues are fees that
it collects from users of water (inhabitants, economic stakeholders).
It grants financial support to public or private owners. It
needs to know about the environment; to define technical solutions;
to plan, program and monitor actions; to inform and raise
awareness; to carry out projects and handle relationships
with its partners (public bodies, economic stakeholders, associations,
international relationships, …): such is the task of
200 professionals working at the Rhin-Meuse Water Agency.
|
| |
|
 |
There are six Water Agencies in France
covering the seven metropolitan hydrographical basins. Water
offices will be established in overseas departments. As is the
case in all public body, the Water Agency is led by a board
of directors (an organ that decides) and a director (the executive).
The Ministry of Ecology and Sustenable Development and the Ministry
of Budget exercise administrative and financial control on.
Theyappoint therefor a government representative. The Water
Agency’s director is Daniel Boulnois. |
| |
|
| |
The Basin Committee |
|
Established in pursuance
of the first Water Act of 1964, at the level of the hydrographical
basin,the Basin Committee brings together the public authorities,
the local authorities and the users of water encompassing
a very broad field of competence (public health, economic
and human activities, Ecology, water conservation …).
[French version is not quite clear !].
Following the proposals elaborated by the Board of Directors,
the Basin Committee give formal opinions about the rates of
the fees (and about the calculation of certain bases) which
fund the Water Agency’s participation in the framework
of multi-year programmes. The Committee elects from among
its members the member of the Board of directors. The Water
Act of 1992 entrusted the Basin Commission with the elaboration
of the Water Management and development Master Scheme (SDAGE).
In the context of the implementation of the EU Water Framework
Directive, the mandate of the Basin Committee for proper reviewing
of the SDAGE, is confirmed. (more information…)
|
| |
|
 |
There are six metropolitan Basin
Committees, plus the Basin Committees of Guyana, Guadeloupe,
Martinique, Reunion and Corsica. The Rhin-Meuse Basin Committee
is chaired by Claude Gaillard, deputy of Meurthe et Moselle
department? He is also quaestor of the National Assembly and
Regional Councillor of Lorraine. |
| |
|
| |
The Board of Directors |
|
The Board handles the Water Agency’s
general business. The thirty-four members (elected or appointed
for a six-year mandate ) prepare the multi-year intervention
programmes, decide on the base and rate of fees (submitted to
the basin commission for a formal opinion), on the financial
support to public or private entities for waterworks of public
interest, on the participation of the Water Agency’s to
studies and research programmes, on the budget and the overall
organization …. and any other matter which might be submitted
by the Ministry of Ecology and sustenable Development or by
the general secretary. The hairman is appointed by the President
of the Republic and convenes the board to a meeting four times
a year. Its decisions are operative unless the Ministry objects
to them within the following month. decisions regarding financial
matters are also submitted for approval of the Ministry of Budget.
|
| |
|
| |
The commissions |
|
In order to examine certain important issues and prepare
the work related thereto, the basin organizations may decide
to set committees for which they determine the composition
and competence. The membership may be enlarged to include
representatives other than those of assemblies in order
to obtain a wider range of opinions.
|
|
|
