Their objective is to engage representatives from local authorities and administrations, academics, associations and scientists to develop a consensual programme of actions to restore rivers, aquifers and their ecosystems. Established on a 10- to 15-year period, river contracts stem from a summary of the challenges facing the targeted watershed and the future areas of work (e.g. surface and groundwater quality, water-related risks, nature conservation, tourism, solid waste management, etc.). A river committee is created for each contract to support the implementation of their respective action plan. After a running period, river contracts are evaluated and can be the subject of renegotiations and updates. In addition to sub-basin management plans (SAGE - Schema d'amenagement et de gestion des eaux), these contracts are a useful tool to align and implement the objectives established by the river basin management plans (SDAGE - Schema directeur d'amenagement et de gestion des eaux).