In the period 2009-2010 Thetis elaborated the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) of the Venice lagoon, its watershed and the adjacent coastal area, according to Directive 2000/60/EC, better known as Water Framework Directive (WFD). This is sub-unit RBMP is part of the wider RBMP of the Eastern Alps District. The RBMP of the Venice lagoon, its watershed and the adjacent coastal area defines the environmental (chemical and ecological) status of these areas, related indicators and targets, and identify a complete and heterogeneous sets of measures to be implemented related to the following sectors of intervention: chemical pollution, eutrophication, morphology and ecosystems, sustainable use of natural resources, monitoring. Main contents of the RBMP are: (i) analysis of human pressures and impacts on surface water and groundwater, (ii) definition of protected areas, (iii) description of monitoring networks, (iv) classification of water bodies and definition of quality objectives, (v) definition of the programs of measures to be adopted to reach the objectives. Performed activities included technical assistance to the Strategic Evaluation Assessment (SEA) of the Plan in particular by the preparation of technical documents and interactions with stakeholders. The RBMS of the Venice lagoon sub-unit was adopted on February 2010. After that date, Thetis was enrolled to support Venice Water Authority also for the phase of revision and updating of RBMP whose final publication is due to December 2015. The activities encompass participation to public information and consultation initiatives and contributions to the production of: (i) report on district’s characteristics, human impacts and status of water bodies (art.5 WFD), (ii) Environmental Report for the SEA, (iii) draft copy of updated RBMP, (iv) final RBMP document.
