Objective: To develop norms and standards in the monitoring of cross cutting areas of coastal and soil erosion.

Rationale: Soil erosion by water has substantial on-site as well as off-site effects. By removing fertile topsoil, erosion reduces soil productivity and, where soils are shallow, may lead to the loss of the entire soil body. Soil removed by run-off, for example during a large storm, will create mudflows that will accumulate below the eroded areas, in severe cases blocking roadways or drainage channels and inundating buildings. Erosion can lead to restrictions on land use and land value, damage to infrastructure, pollution of water bodies, and negative effects on habitats and biodiversity.
Climate change will influence soil erosion processes, mainly triggered by extreme rainfall events and droughts. Excess water due to intense or prolonged precipitation can cause tremendous damage to soil through sheet wash, gully erosion and even landslides. However, if soil is managed well, resistance to erosion by water and/or wind can be improved considerably.

Implementation methodologies: Key principals for the development of norms and standards are:
- To continue transposing EU Acquis that sets rules and requirements on environmental monitoring in different areas.
- to assist national authorities and decision makers to achieve the sustainable development policy goals by providing reliable, solid and update information about the results that the implementation of policies has on the Environment.
- to promote adaptive management and learning of public administration.
- to fulfill international standards (EEA requirements) and be able to provide information easily digestible to international inventories
- to involve and motivate the public and promote awareness-raising
- to take advantage of all the existing capacity and knowledge with no excessive use of the financial resources.

Follow-up mechanisms: Water (inland and underground) indicators in the country are showing a good coverage of parameters that are subject to monitoring. But, although there are sufficient physiochemical and biological parameters, there is the need to further develop synthesis provisions in order to create advanced indicators. Therefore, the norms and standards in the monitoring of cross cutting areas of coastal and soil erosion will be developed.