The LIFE+ RII project (LIFE11 ENV/IT/000243 “Riqualificazione integrata idraulico-ambientale dei RII appartenenti alla fascia pedemontana dell’Emilia Romagna”) has start its activities.

The question of whether or not the UK should remain in Europe is currently vexing the nation. But in an article in The Guardian Tony Juniper, argues that PM Cameron's EU speech on the issue indicated there might be disastrous consequences for the environment if we opt out.

The European Commission recently released its Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water Resources, outlining proposals to ensure better implementation of the EU’s water policy objectives. Several initiatives recognise the benefits of river restoration to improve the ecological status of Europe’s waters.

The Blueprint includes proposals on natural water retention, ecological flows and water accounts, and encourages restoration measures in the River Basin Management Plans and Flood Risk Management Plans submitted by Member States.

View the Blueprint submission by RESTORE and partners: http://www.restorerivers.eu/Publications/tabid/2624/mod/11083/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3297/Default.aspx

View the Blueprint: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/blueprint/index_en.htm

The European Environment Agency recently released its report European waters - assessment of status and pressures. The report found that water pollution and physical modifications are still affecting the ecology of many of Europe’s lakes, rivers, transitional water bodies and coastal waters. It concludes that these problems are likely to prevent the water bodies reaching ‘good’ status by 2015, the target set by the EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD).

View the report: http://www.eea.europa.eu/highlights/more-than-half-of-eu