- 5.7 seventh and eighth components: implementation of the programmes of measures and evaluation

The implementation of the programmes of measures has to be linked with a continuous process of evaluation. This evaluation has quite often been seen as a last - more or less additional - box in a planning process. However, evaluation has usually been done after the planning process to get feedback about what has actually been planned or even carried through already. This means that evaluation has not been used as a tool of continuous development and making choices or in other words as an ordinary part of a planning process.

Look out! After implementing the programme of measures, the evaluation of the first planning period (to be made from 2012 to 2015) is the key element for the preparation of the second period.

The planning process according to WFD is iterative by nature and offers various steps and decisions which need to be evaluated: e.g. identification of water bodies, discrimination into types, analysis of the impact on the status of waters, setting environmental objectives etc.