Public information and consultation
Article 14
1
Member States shall encourage the active involvement of all interested parties in the implementation of this Directive, in particular in the production, review and updating of the river basin management plans. Member States shall ensure that, for each river basin district, they publish and make available for comments to the public, including users:
a
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;
b
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;
c
draft copies of the river basin management plan, at least one year before the beginning of the period to which the plan refers.
On request, access shall be given to background documents and information used for the development of the draft river basin management plan.
2
Member States shall allow at least six months to comment in writing on those documents in order to allow active involvement and consultation.
3
Paragraphs 1 and 2 shall apply equally to updated river basin management plans.