Finland - Water Management

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Central

Ministry of the Environment

  • prepare national objectives and legislation for water protection and river basin management,
  • implements the Water Framework Directive and the EU Marine Strategy,
  • approve water resource management plans and assess their implementation,
  • assess the water bodies' conditions and factors affecting them,
  • carry out international water protection cooperation.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

  • Prepare legislation relating to the water economy,
  • prepare and implement legislation on water supply and services, dam safety and basic drainage,
  • implement agreements on frontier rivers (transboundary watercourses).

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

  • monitor waters,
  • undertake societal and economic assessments for water-related decision-making,
  • development of solutions for the use, management and protection of water resources.

Regional State Administrative Agencies

  • issue licences and permits (e.g. for water abstraction, dredging and filling of a water area, laying water and sewage pipes).

Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres)

  • prepare RBMPs and FRMPs
  • take responsibility for regional implementation and tasks of the central government on environment and national resources,
  • support SYKE in the monitoring of water status,
  • supervise adherence to the water permits granted by AVI,
  • promote flood protection and prevention,
  • supervise dam safety,
  • support the development of water services and sewerage and supervision of water supply.

Regional

Regional Councils:

  • elaborate and implement local development plans.
  • organise regional land use planning and lead flood working groups.

Åland:

  • the regional government is the competent authority responsible for the implementation of the WFD in the territory of this region, supported by six government departments. The regional government formally adopts the RBMP

Local

Municipalities:

  • issue and supervise environmental permits by municipal environmental protection authorities,
  • develop water services and sewerage in their territories,
  • monitor the quality of drinking and bathing water,
  • take part in river basin management planning and flood working groups.

 

Responsible ministries/bodies

 

Sources

 



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