Middle Contracts - whole France

An environmental contract (usually a river contract, but also a lake, bay or water table contract) is a technical and financial agreement between the partners concerned for comprehensive, concerted and sustainable management at the scale of a coherent hydrographic unit. Together with the SAGE, the environmental contract is a relevant tool for the implementation of the SDAGEs and programmes of measures approved in 2009 to take into account the objectives and provisions of the Water Framework Directive. It can be an operational version of a SAGE. It is a voluntary and concerted program of actions over 5 years with contractual financial commitment (designation of the contracting authorities, the method of financing, the deadlines of the works, etc.). These contracts shall be signed between the partners concerned: Prefect(s) of department(s), water agency and local authorities (general council, regional council, municipalities, inter-municipal unions ...). The river (or bay) committee is established by prefectural order to lead the development of the contract that it animates and follows. The circular of 30 January 2004 specifies the conditions for its constitution and operation.