Implementation of the river basin management plan in selected river sub-basins in Slovakia

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The 3^rd River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for the Danube and Visla Rivers (2021-2027) was prepared by the government’s Water Research Institute (VUVH) and approved by the Slovak Government in 2022. However, a change of paradigm in water management towards nature-based solutions is ongoing in Slovakia. The Ministry of Environment developed a new Water Policy Concept (2021-2030 with prospects till 2050) that was adopted by the Slovak Government in 2022. Several issues were covered and discussed in expert groups: River and wetland restoration, River basin management and adaptation to climate change, Fishing, Water use and hydropower, Freshwater distribution, Sewage and treatment of wastewater, and Pollution. A specific group of experts focused on Danube River issues. The Concept identified several major problems facing the water sector in Slovakia, including the lack of an integrated approach in river basins (in protection, planning and management); legislation not supporting new challenges in water protection and use; lack of methodologies and standards; lack of state capacities; and inappropriate investment policy and financing of water management. The main aims of the Water Policy Concept are to develop an integrated approach to solutions of common and specific problems identified in order to underpin implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the Flood Risk Directive, as transposed to Slovak legislation and planning documents. The Water Policy Concept stands at the top level of water management planning in Slovakia and was developed by key experts from various fields of interest and organisations, academic sector, municipalities, NGOs, etc. The 3^rd River Basin Management Plans of Slovakia follow the Water Policy Concept in focusing on priority topics such as water in the landscape and in cities, sustainable water use, clean and living rivers, the Danube, effective financing, knowledge, planning and decision making.

OBJECTIVES

The main goal of the LIFE Living Rivers project is to contribute to the implementation of the 3^rd River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) for the Danube (2021-2027) by implementing measures to eliminate hydromorphological pressures, and by addressing ecological targets of the Water Framework Directive and Habitats Directive via the management of protected areas, and via sustainable forestry, land and fishery management.

Specific objectives are to:

• Propose and implement nature-based solutions and green infrastructure principles to increase climate resilience, water retention in the river basin, enhance biodiversity and reduce flood risk;
• Demonstrate step-by step procedures leading to cost-efficient and sustainable restoration (e.g., stakeholder engagement, monitoring, technical documentation, obtaining permits);
• Restore longitudinal connectivity of selected water bodies by removal or reconstruction of barriers, restoration of sediment transport and management of sediments, and improvement of hydraulic, morphological and ecological effects of existing in-channel structures;
• Restore lateral connectivity of the main channel with its floodplains by reconnecting side-arms and re-establishing natural river banks, and restoring wetlands and stagnant waters as natural water retention areas, to improve groundwater storage, habitat diversity, and to facilitate migration and spawning of fish species of the region;
• Improve hydrological regime and flow dynamics of the rivers;
• Restore degraded natural ecosystems and native fish species populations;
• Introduce land, wetland and forest management practices in water-dependent Natura 2000 sites (SCIs and SPAs), and restore vegetation cover on river banks and in floodplains;
• Implement innovative monitoring methods (e.g., screening of emerging substances in surface water, telemetric surveys of Danube fish movement, ichthyoplankton monitoring, biodiversity survey using DNA metabarcoding of water and benthos samples, ultrasound probes, mapping using drones and remote sensing tools);
• Replicate actions in other regions within the Danube and Visla river basins in Slovakia, knowledge transfer, learning, cooperation and participation of stakeholders in water management planning and implementation;
• Increase awareness and public acceptance of nature-based solutions and restoration activities;
• Mobilise and coordinate complementary funds leading to full implementation of the RBMP.

In addition to the IP budget itself, the project will facilitate the coordinated use of €86,119,000 of complementary funding from the Recovery and Resilience Facility Plan (€62,400,000), from the Operational Programme Quality of Environment (€23,694,000), and from private funds (€25,000).

RESULTS

Expected results:

• Nature-based solutions and green infrastructure implemented to increase climate resilience and enhance biodiversity;
• Connectivity of water bodies restored, improving ecosystems and wetlands habitats, habitat diversity, migration and spawning of fish species, and flow dynamics of rivers;
• Wetland and forest management practices introduced in Natura 2000 sites that restore vegetation cover on river banks and in floodplains;
• Innovative monitoring methods implemented to assess the effectiveness of project actions;
• Actions replicated in other river basin areas in Slovakia;
• Increased awareness and public acceptance of nature-based solutions and river restoration activities.