Milieu — Metropolitan contracts

A middle contract (usually a river contract, but also a lake, bay or table contract) is a technical and financial agreement between the partners involved for a comprehensive, concerted and sustainable management at the level of a coherent hydrographic unit. Together with SAGE, the middle contract is a relevant tool for the implementation of SDAGEs and programmes of measures approved in 2009 to take into account the objectives and provisions of the Water Framework Directive. It may be an operational application of a SAGE. It is a voluntary and concerted action programme over 5 years with a contractual financial commitment (designation of project developers, method of financing, timing of works, etc.). These contracts shall be signed between the partners concerned: County prefect (s), water agency and local authorities (general council, regional council, municipalities, intercommunal unions, etc.). The river (or bay) committee is set up by prefectoral order to steer the drawing up of the contract which it runs and which it follows. The circular of 30 January 2004 sets out the conditions for its constitution and operation.