SAMFUNN: Water Pollution Abatment in a system of Multi-level Governance: A study of Norway's implementation of EUs Water Framework Directive

There is need for scientific knowledge and competence related to the implemtation of the WFD in Norway. The ecossystem and cross-sector integration approach of the WFD may serve as an interesting example of modern environmental management, later to be dup lucated in other environmental management issues. Thus, the research project will be conducted in close cooperation with the various user groups, i.e decision-makers, regulators, administrative authorities at the various levels of government, and other st ake holders affected by the WFD. The integrated and ecosystem-based form of mangament laid down in EUs Water Framework Directive (WFD) takes on a comprehensive approach to water management, and covers in principle all kinds of pressures on the natural st ate of waters caused by antrpogenic activities. In order to trace and explain the potentials and limits for achieving collective action in this multi-level system of governance, our study will examine the complete chain of implementation of the WFD, from the starting point at the supra national EU level and down to the regional and local levels. The study adresses four main research questions: 1. In what ways do the WFD directive and EU executive bodies (i.e. CIS) structure and contribute to the practia l domestic implementation process? How does the relationship between the principle of homogenous implementation and the need for local and ecosystem based differentation play out in practice? 2. To what extent is WFD implementation processes facilitated b y the organizational models used by the Sub Districts and RBD? 3. What characterises the specific problem constellations of the Sub Districts in study, and how does this affect the organisation, active involvement of interest groups, measures and goal att ainment of the WFD? 4. What actual measures do the Sub Districts take to obtain the aims of the WFD? How appropriate and adequate are these measures for improved water environment?