Act on Water Resources Planning.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a framework for the protection and management of surface and groundwater through the monitoring of protected areas. The Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark shall issue Regulations for its implementation. The scope of the Act is to prevent further deterioration and to protect aquatic ecosystems to promote sustainable water use based on long-term protection of available water resources. It aims to enhance the protection of aquatic environment through specific measures for the progressive reduction of discharges, emissions and losses of substances for the mitigation of effects caused by floods and droughts, phasing out emissions of hazardous substances and to ensure progressive reduction of groundwater pollution. The Ministry shall establish specific environmental objectives for the river basin districts' surface water and groundwater, including the modification of artificial water bodies. Organizations and associations shall give advice to local councils with regard to water catchment areas, and the Ministry may lay down rules on the composition of water, establishment, operation and cooperation with local governments within the main water catchments.
The Act consists of 13 Chapters: Scope and definitions (1); Water Planning Authority and river basin districts (2); Basic analysis (3); Environmental goals (4); Protected areas (5); Initiative programme (6); Water Council (7); River Basin Management Plans (8); Process and public participation (9); Monitoring (10); Administrative provisions (11); Appeals (12); Entry into force (13).