Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on: the Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Recommendation concerning the implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe
Date: 2001-02-14
Institutions: European Committee of the Regions
Subjects: coastal region, cooperation policy, development policy, public awareness campaign, regional policy, town and country planning

18.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 148/23

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on :

— the ‘Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on

Integrated Coastal Zone Management: A Strategy for Europe’, and

— the ‘Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Recommendation concerning the

implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe’

(2001/C 148/07)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament
on Integrated Coastal Zone Management: A Strategy for Europe (COM(2000) 547 final), and the proposal
for a European Parliament and Council Recommendation concerning the implementation of Integrated
Coastal Zone Management in Europe [COM(2000) 545 final — 2000/0227 (COD)];

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Towards a European Integrated Coastal
Zone Management (ICZM) Strategy: General Principles and Policy Options (CdR 59/99 fin) (1);

having regard to the decision of the Council of 26 January 2001, under Article 175 (paragraph 1) of the
Treaty establishing the European Community, to consult the Committee on the subject;

having regard to the decision taken by the President on 9 October 2000, which directs Commission 4 —
Spatial Planning, Urban Issues, Energy and Environment to draw up the relevant opinion;

having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 372/2000 rev. 1) adopted by Commission 4 on 7 December
2000, for which the rapporteur was Ms McNamara (IRL/EA);

whereas Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is a process of co-ordination and co-operation
between all managers, at all spatial levels, and users of coastal zone resources;

whereas ICZM requires a broad understanding of the coastal zone, coastal systems and their inter-regional
nature, a recognition of its value, a programme of relevant actions and measures, a suitable framework
for its implementation, comprehensive databases, appropriate expertise and adequate funding to ensure
proper management and the sustainable use of coastal resources;

whereas the Commission has implemented a number of demonstration projects to enable a review of
policy in coastal zones across Europe and to inform the development of an European ICZM Strategy;

whereas the COR has previously welcomed the implementation of these demonstration projects, the
principles distilled, lessons learnt and the options for policy advanced,

adopted the following opinion unanimously at its 37th plenary session on 14 and 15 February 2001
(meeting of 14 February).

1.

The Committee of the Regions’ views and rec-
ommendation concerning the Communication

1.1.
The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Com-
munication and Proposal for a Recommendation and endorses
the European Strategy for Integrated Coastal Zone Manage-
ment, subject to the inclusion of additional actions and the
consideration of other identified matters as set out below.

(1) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 38.

1.2.
The proposal for a recommendation will give the ICZM
process an impetus. However, the COR requests that the
Commission would closely monitor action and progress at the
national level. The activities of local and regional authorities in
ICZM are dependent on the national level providing a statutory
framework, as well as promoting and supporting activities at
local and regional levels.

1.3.
The Committee of the Regions questions the commit-
ment of the Commission in relation to the implementation of
an independent European ICZM Strategy. Whilst the general
strategy of focusing on existing instruments and programmes

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Official Journal of the European Communities

18.5.2001

is broadly supported, it is advocated that specific additional
measures are also required. Specific polices would, at the very
least, raise public awareness of ICZM issues, and assist in the
creation of a coherent European ICZM Strategy. The COR re-
emphasises that a general framework for ICZM would involve
a guiding set of principles at a trans-national level, the framing
of policy at an interregional level, and a focus on the definition
and implementation of policy (including detailed ‘plans’ or
strategies) at a regional and local level. The principles listed in
chapter II of the European Parliament and Council Recommen-
dation are essential. Each Member State must be able, together
with the local and regional level, to determine the need for,
and the contents of the national strategy. Account must be
taken of the diversity of coastal conditions as well as the
differences between Member States’ legislation and adminis-
trative systems.

1.4.
The role of the EU as outlined in the Communication
is generally welcomed. The EU role of promotion, guidance
and support to local and regional administrations is the
optimum approach in dealing with area-specific issues. The
mainstreaming of existing EU measures and the auditing of
future proposals to ensure no adverse affect on the coastal
zone, is an important element in an European Strategy.

The Committee of the Regions re-emphasises the need
1.5.
for an European co-operation network between coastal local
and regional authorities. In this regard, the Commission’s
recognition of the value of a European Coastal Stakeholders
Forum and Practitioners Network is welcomed. The Com-
mission is urged to take steps for their immediate formation,
while taking account of and encouraging existing initiatives.

1.6.
The COR is willing to play a constructive role in
efforts to establish the Stakeholders Forum and the proposed
Practitioners Network. The COR should be actively involved
in future collaboration, discussion and dialogue, especially in
drawing-up the guidelines to assist in stock-taking the impact
of EU legislation and programmes at local level.

Practitioners Network in highlighting best practice and in
assisting local authorities to deal with implementing ICZM and
establishing appropriate, flexible management structures.

The COR encourages Europe-wide and national cam-
1.8.
paigns to raise public awareness of coastal zone issues, thereby
increasing participation from all stakeholders.

1.9.
The COR submits that the physical definition of the
coastal zone at a local level is an essential part of an EU
Strategy. The definition of the coastal zone will identify its
management needs and assist in the creation of a framework
for ICZM. Given the area specific nature of ICZM, the definition
of the coastal zone should occur at a local and regional level,
with support from the EU and national administrations.

1.10.
A more cohesive and ICZM-specific programme of
support and funding is required. The COR believes that the
range of EU financial instruments outlined in the Communi-
cation is inadequate, and will result in a sectoral approach to
funding, rather than an integrated approach. In this regard, a
programme of support dedicated wholly to ICZM issues
is advocated, with particular potential under Interreg III
Programme, which could also encourage the development of
coastal areas and of cooperation networks between the
Member States and third countries.

However, in the absence of a specific funding mechanism for
ICZM, the COR would strongly advocate the need to ensure
that Structural Funds are systematically implemented to pro-
vide for coherent integrated development and management of
all areas, including the coastal zones.

1.11.
The identification of the Environment DG as a focal
point within the Commission for coastal issues is welcomed.
The focal point must, however, be responsible for
the
implementation of the European ICZM Strategy and the co-
ordination of the various recommendations and proposals
outlined in the Communication. To ensure a coherent and
holistic approach, the Committee of the Regions contends
that the most appropriate focal point would be a formal
interdisciplinary team which, apart from representing the
policy interests of all the relevant Directorate Generals, would
promote horizontal research projects, identified by a series of
thematic analyses.

1.7.
The COR stresses the need for the identification and
creation of enabling mechanisms within local and regional
authorities and national administrations in order to establish
synergy and allow the involvement of all relevant sectors and
individuals, thus increasing commitment to the process of
ICZM. The COR believes that there is a definite role for the

1.12.
The COR recognises the value of partnership with
civil society in planning and management approaches and the
potential it offers for the emergence of new forms of govern-
ance in coastal areas, as well as other areas of the EU territory.

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 148/25

1.13.
The COR regrets that the projects established under
the Commission’s demonstration programme may not con-
tinue to exist. Moreover the Committee feels that the expertise

and practices gained in these areas will be lost. The Committee
therefore reaffirms the desirability of continuing existing
appropriate projects and establishing further activities.

Brussels, 14 February 2001.

The President

of the Committee of the Regions

Jos CHABERT

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on ‘The structure and goals of European regional
policy in the context of enlargement and globalisation: opening of the debate’

(2001/C 148/08)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the decision of its Bureau of 13 June 2000, in accordance with the fifth paragraph of
Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up an opinion on the Structure
and goals of European regional policy in the context of enlargement and globalisation: opening of the
debate and to instruct Commission 1 for Regional Policy, Structural Funds, Economic and Social Cohesion
and Cross-border and Inter-regional Cooperation to draw up this opinion;

having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 13 April 2000 on the 6th Periodic
Report on the social and economic situation and development of the regions of the European Union
(CdR 388/99 fin) (1), which finds that regional disparities in Europe have grown over the last ten years;

having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 14 January 1999 on the European
Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP) — (CdR 266/98 fin) (2);

having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 18 November 1999 on the Structural
Funds and their coordination with the Cohesion Fund Guidance for programmes in the period 2000-
2006 (COM(1999) 344 final) — (CdR 217/99 fin) (3);

having regard to the Resolution of the Committee of the Regions of 10 March 1999 on the Reform of
the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund in the context of the political debate on the Agenda 2000
package (CdR 1/99 fin) (4);

(1) OJ C 226, 8.8.2000, p. 30.
(2) OJ C 93, 6.4.1999, p. 36.
(3) OJ C 57, 29.2.2000, p. 56.
(4) OJ C 198, 14.7.1999, p. 1.