Expert Groups

Technical Expert Groups from the backbone of the operation and the success of the ICPDR. They are formed by national experts from the Contracting Parties and representatives of the observer organisations.

Seven Expert Groups deal with a variety of issues - from policy measures to reduce water pollution to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.

All technical work within the ICPDR is carried out by the Expert Groups. These Expert Groups are essential to the operation of the ICPDR, and rely upon the inputs and contributions of national experts from the Contracting Parties and from the Observers. In 2008, four Expert Groups dealt with technical issues, while three ad-hoc Expert Groups addressed specific questions and support the respective Expert Groups and/or other ICPDR bodies on request.

Expert Group on River Basin Management

The Expert Group on River Basin Management (RBM EG) defined and prepared tasks related to the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in the Danube River Basin, the Roof Report 2004 and coordinating the development of the Danube River Basin Management Plan by 2009 is currently finalising.

Pressures and Measures Expert Group

The Pressures and Measures Expert Group (PM EG) identifies the causes of pressures and promotes measures to address them. Harmonising the work of the ICPDR with the EU directives (e.g. UWWT Directive, Nitrates Directive, IPPC Directive) is another issue. The current priority of this Expert Group is to develop the Joint Programme of Measures, which is part of the Danube River Basin Management Plan. This Expert Group also works with pollution prevention and precautionary controls, including inventories of potential accident risk spots and old contaminated sites in areas liable to flooding.

Monitoring and Assessment Expert Group

The Monitoring and Assessment Expert Group (MA EG) is responsible for issues concerning water quality assessment and classification, including the operation of the Trans-National Monitoring Network and Analytical Quality Control. The operation of the Accident and Emergency Warning System, and the communication of alarm/warning messages in the event of accidents are also managed by the MA EG. During 2001 and 2007 this expert group also carried out the Joint Danube Surveys.

Expert Group on Flood Protection

The Expert Group on Flood Protection (FLOOD EG) has been responsible for developing the Action Programme for Sustainable Flood Protection in the Danube River Basin and is currently overseeing its implementation at the national level.

Information Management and GIS Expert Group

Under the Information Management and Geographical Information System Expert Group (IM + GIS EG) the a series of of maps of the Danube River Basin and the Strategic Plan for a Danube River Basin GIS have been developed. The Expert  Group supports all activities related to the operation of the information system.

Public Participation Expert Group

The task of the Public Participation Expert Group (PP EG) is to support and provide input to ICPDR activities regarding communication and participation issues.

Strategic Expert Group

The ad hoc Strategic Expert Group (ad hoc S EG) addresses administrative and legal matters arising from the implementation of the DRPC.
 
The Expert Groups have the possibility to form TASK GROUPS, if specific tasks involving specific experience arise. Task Groups involve experts from the group and/or additional experts. Task Groups have specific mandates and their work is usually time limited.

The Danube-Black Sea Joint Technical Working Group co-ordinates the work of the ICPDR and the International Commission for the Protection of the Black Sea, particularly aiming to reduce nutrient inputs into the Black Sea.

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