WATER IN THE ALPS -3 rd International Conference Preparatory Workshop n. 1: Hydrogeological risk in alpine environments (Trento, Sept.

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1 2 nd Report on the State of the Alps Water & Platform Water Management in the Alps Italian Expert of the Alpine Convention Platform: Water Management in the Alps

2 Working Principles Work on report started 2007; draft report was delivered begin September 2008; adopted by ministerial conference in Evian, March meetings of the working group Draft results have been presented to the Conference in Munich to allow for broad discussions Results of the discussions in the conference have been integrated in the report in a separate working group meeting Rather late submitted written comments (DAV, VzSdB, EC) have also been taken into account after WG-meeting

3 Working Principles Drafting: shared among group and Secretariat by assigning individual chapters to volunteers after having achieved a common understanding on contents and messages But no individual ownership of chapters!!! Findings had to be convened on by the entire group. Shared responsibility of national experts and the secretariat; Findings in the report are based on national contributions as well as on case studies / further studies highlighting specific issues

4 Content of the Report Broad range of issues has been covered(also based on feedback from observer organisations) - Appraisal of the status of Alpine waters, water key asset of Alps - Water quality (point and diffuse sources of pollution) and water quantity aspects (droughts and water scarcity, snow guns, ) - Hydro-Morphology (residual water, hydro-peaking, connectivity..) - Assessment of legal framework (Protocols, EU legislation, bi-and multilateral agreements) - Major Water Management Issues and Main Challenges for the Future Findings are supported by maps(e.g. population density; nitrates, hydropower, reservoirs and lakes, )

5 WATER IN THE ALPS - 3rd International Conference Population Density

6 WATER IN THE ALPS - 3rd International Conference Nitrate Concentration

7 Final Findings - Challenges Two different types of issues were distinguished: issues with varying relevance according to local and regional conditions(e.g. water quality, local water availability, artificial snow production) and major water management issues Integrated Risk Management / Natural Hazards Adaptation to Climate Change Hydro-Morphological Alterations Hydropower Generation - New projects: Increasing pressure in all countries for further exploitation of remaining potential - Installations in place: Mitigation of impacts

8 WATER IN THE ALPS - 3rd International Conference A Major Issue: Hydropower Generation Huge and increasing number of small hydropower stations!

9 Hydropower Generation Severe Ecological Impacts Residual Water Hydro-Peaking

10 Climate Change Pasterze with Großglockner(Austria) in 1900 and 2000

11 Consequences of Climate Change Changes forecasted: Further increase of risk due to natural hazards Increased occurrence of water scarcity and droughts Enhanced demand for water and energy; in summer as well as in winter Changes in overall water regime and availability of water due to reduced discharges from glaciers and snow cover with consequences on water supply, hydro power generation.

12 Key findings Do we need a specific water protocol? The assessment shows, that a comprehensive set of provisions and instruments is in place. Against this set of legislation in place and taking into account on going work..it emerges, that the identified challenges can be tackled by making use of the existing instruments. Rather than producing a new water specific piece of legislation for the Alpine region at this stage it is of major importance to ensure that implementation efforts of the existing rules are continued and intensified.

13 Way forward By way of conclusion the following can be recommended To ensure the proper implementationand reinforce implementation means of existing legislation To follow up the implementation of the EU WFD with the focus on hydromorphology To assess developments in the hydro power sector To quantify in more detail effects of climate change Enhance cooperation with the scientific community

14 Ideaof establishing a platform on water has been taken up by X Alpine Conference in Evian (March 2009): RSA II Water and water management issues approved Platform Water management in the Alps installed Composed of representatives of the contracting States and official observer, coordinated by Swiss Austrian Presidency Mandate for two years divided in three sections: A, B, C

15 Mandate Mandate for the platform Water Management in the Alps for the period from the X th Alpine Conference to the XI th The work of the platform will primarily be based on the findings of the Second Report on the State of The Alps Water and Water Management Issues and the results of the Munich Water Conference which was held on 30 th / 31 st October The Platform must provide the exchange with other platforms that deal with water (Planalp, Ecological Network, ecc.)

16 Mandate (A + C) A) The platform carries out a review of the relevant water management plans in the Alpine region (in particular the WFD River Basin Management Plans), according to the availability of data, whether Alpine specific issues have been taken into account appropriately. C) The platform facilitates the exchange of best practice examples and scientific experiences amongst experts from governmental institutions, non governmental organisations, the scientific community and concerned stakeholders in all fields of work identified by the platform.

17 Mandate (B) B) The platform identifies and specifies areas of work, which will be dealt with by the platform in the period Subjects which could be addressed by the platform include: The development of recommendations for the sustainable and balanced use of hydropower in the Alpine Area, taking carefully into account existing legislation. In doing so, special consideration has to be paid to economic and ecological efficiency criteria in particular in connection with the use of small hydropower.