Public consultation allows the involvement of all interested parties to the different stages of the review and update of the RBMP and FRMP.
European Directives 2000/60/EC and 2007/60/EC provide that River Basin Management Plans and Flood Risk Management Plans should be made available to the public, including users, and that Member States encourage the active participation of all interested parties.
Article 66 of legislative decree 152 of 2006 foresees that River Basin District Authorities promote the active participation of all interested parties in the draft, review and update of the River Basin Management Plans and the Flood Risk Management Plans. In accordance with its provisions, the following documents should be published and made available for comments to the public, allowing at least six months to comment in writing:
– a timetable and work programme for the production of the plan, including a statement of the consultation measures to be taken, at least three years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers.
– an interim overview of the significant water management issues identified in the river basin, at least two years before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers.
– draft copies of the river basin plan at least one year before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers.
Public participation and consultation on the River Management Plan, third update and the Flood Risk Management Plan, second update took place as follows:
2019: timetables and work programmes.
2020: overview of the significant water management issues.
2021: update of the RBMP and FRMP – 2021.
Due the Covid- 19 pandemic and the measures taken its containment and emergency management; consultation was mainly implemented by means of videoconferences which allowed the presentation of Plans to a wider public. Despite the mandatory distancing measures, participation was ensured using new methodologies. The Basin Authority organized many events to disseminate the Plans’ contents; webinars, working groups, online happenings, scientific and informative events, both at local and national level. Moreover, the update of the plans was also disseminated during events organized by other public bodies. The following table contains a list of the public consultation events.
