Integrated approach to mobilise resources for resilient ecosystems and rich waters in the North Baltic Sea River Basin

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The target plan of the proposed IP is the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) of the Northern Baltic Sea River Basin District 2016-2021. The general objective of the RBMP is to reach and maintain good water status by 2015 in all water bodies in the district. However, for the majority of water bodies, exemptions to the general objectives have been applied that extend the deadline to 2021 or 2027.

The Northern Baltic Sea River Basin is home to 1214 surface water bodies, around 80% of which have an ecological status that is less than good. 13% of the surface water bodies have a non-satisfactory status and 2% have a bad status. 550 streams, 350 lakes and 167 coastal waters are judged to be at risk of not reaching good ecological status by 2021 – i.e. almost 50% of the surface water bodies.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE IP Rich waters project aims to boost the full implementation of the RBMP 2016-2021, and achieve the EU environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), which requires good status of all waters. These aims will be achieved through policy instrument measures listed in the RBMP’s programme of measures that have the greatest potential to contribute to the achievement of the objectives in the RBMP. It will also be achieved by carrying out concrete and capacity building measures that support the adoption of common approaches and best practices, as well as innovative measures. The main areas addressed by the project are water planning, eutrophication, connectivity and environmental pollutants.

Specific objectives are to:

Mobilise capacity and resources to implement concrete actions;

Increase the joint knowledge among all target groups in order to make the implementation of RBMP more efficient;

Stimulate and inspire concrete measures by implementing ‘showcase’ measures and high impact measures;

Reduce the load of nutrients, environmental pollutants and the number of barriers; and

Improve the capacity for new technology and innovative solutions in order to increase cost efficiency.

In addition to the IP budget itself the project will facilitate the coordinated use of € 71,013,579 complementary funding from EAFRD, ERDF, national and private fund, as applicable.

RESULTS

Expected results: 'The LIFE IP RICH WATERS expects to achieve good status for 6% (115 of a total of 1788) of the surface water bodies currently at risk during the project. In the long term, up to 800 water bodies (45%) are expected to reach good status as an indirect result of the project. Since many water bodies have an extension of the deadline to 2027, some delay is expected in meeting good ecological status in relation to the project.

The LIFE IP will contribute to the carrying out of 24 out of a total of 76 listed policy instrument measures in the RBMP. This figure rises to 36 when the suggested complementary actions are included. The remaining 40 will be implemented outside the IP as part of the regular workload of the organisations or by complementary actions that will be catalysed through the IP project.

Specific results include:

1 005 water bodies addressed;

Relevant water planning documents drawn up by each municipality (76) in the water district;

50 water bodies with eutrophication problems addressed and 150kg phosphorus reduced;

25 water management plans at the farm level suggested;

Three multifunctional water parks in diverse parts of the water district created to reduce eutrophication and environmental pollutants, increase biodiversity and contribute to recreation and education;

Two lakes lakes with internal phosphorous loading restored by using two different techniques;

Fauna passages at four barriers with high impact on fish populations constructed;

A new technique tested on a full scale to remediate a contaminated area;

Source tracings of environmental pollutants and suggested measures.

Expected results: 'The LIFE IP RICH WATERS expects to achieve good status for 6% (115 of a total of 1788) of the surface water bodies currently at risk during the project. In the long term, up to 800 water bodies (45%) are expected to reach good status as an indirect result of the project. Since many water bodies have an extension of the deadline to 2027, some delay is expected in meeting good ecological status in relation to the project.

The LIFE IP will contribute to the carrying out of 24 out of a total of 76 listed policy instrument measures in the RBMP. This figure rises to 36 when the suggested complementary actions are included. The remaining 40 will be implemented outside the IP as part of the regular workload of the organisations or by complementary actions that will be catalysed through the IP project.

Specific results include:

1 005 water bodies addressed;

Relevant water planning documents drawn up by each municipality (76) in the water district;

50 water bodies with eutrophication problems addressed and 150kg phosphorus reduced;

25 water management plans at the farm level suggested;

Three multifunctional water parks in diverse parts of the water district created to reduce eutrophication and environmental pollutants, increase biodiversity and contribute to recreation and education;

Two lakes lakes with internal phosphorous loading restored by using two different techniques;

Fauna passages at four barriers with high impact on fish populations constructed;

A new technique tested on a full scale to remediate a contaminated area;

Source tracings of environmental pollutants and suggested measures.