Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWB) in the WFD

Transcription

1 Heavily Modified Water Bodies (HMWB) in the WFD Eleftheria Kampa, Ecologic 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference

2 Content of this presentation Hydromorphology & HMWB in the WFD Provisional identification of HMWB Criteria used in Austria Overview of HMWB & hydromorphological pressures in Europe Current issues & recent activities 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 2

3 Hydromorphology in the WFD New issue emphasised by the WFD What is hydromorphology? Hydrological regime quantity and dynamics of water flow Morphological conditions (shape) river/channel width & depth variation, structure and substrate of bed, structure of riparian zone Important pressure type for mountain waters little affected by agricultural & industrial pollution 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 3

4 What are HMWB? Sometimes natural WB conditions are substantially changed as a result of physical alterations by human activity, e.g. for hydropower or navigation WFD recognises that in some cases the benefits of such uses need to be retained. If certain criteria are fulfilled (Art. 2.9 & 4.3), WFD allows designation as HMWB, e.g. reservoirs HMWBs cannot meet good ecological status (GES). Their WFD environmental objective is good ecological potential (GEP) 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 4

5 Common Implementation Strategy HMWB were subject of a European expert working group (lead UK/DE; ) European Synthesis Project WFD CIS Guidance Document on HMWB European toolbox supporting the Guidance see 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 5

6 Provisional identification of HMWB 1. Water body identification 2. Is the water body artificial? 3. Screening : Are there any changes in hydromorphology? 4. Description of significant changes in hydromorphology 5. Is is likely that water body will fail good ecological status due to changes in hydromorphology? Hydromorphological risk assessment 6. Is the water body substantially changed in character due to physical alterations by human activity? Identify provisionally as HMWB 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 6

7 Attention to the following: Physical alterations must result in changes both in hydrology and morphology Some of the hydromorphologically at risk WBs may not be identified as phmwb HyMo risk assessment: steps 3-5 of process (GES fails due to significant HyMo alterations) phmwb: step 6 of the process (WBs are substantially changed in character) 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 7

8 Meaning of substantially changed in character Very obvious that the WB substantially deviates from its natural condition Extensive, widespread or profound change in character Permanent change in character (not temporary) Many hydrological alterations, e.g. due to abstractions, are not associated with morphological changes, and may often be easily reversible and short-term. So, these alterations do not constitute substantial changes in character of WBs 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 8

9 Substantial changes on a river with dam 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 9

10 HMWB (reservoirs: clear case) Natural WB 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 10

11 Criteria for phmwb Several countries have developed criteria for HyMo risk assessment and phmwb Based on method/data availability in each country Dissimilar approaches even in the same country 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 11

12 Exchange of European experience in 2005 A European workshop on WFD and Hydromorphology took place in Prague (17-19 Oct 2005) 24 European countries discussed their progress of work on HyMo pressures and HMWB All country presentations available at: 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 12

13 Key European workshop conclusions (I) HyMo risk criteria of different countries were sometimes comparable and sometimes not. Some countries used the risk criteria also as criteria for phmwb; other countries used two different sets of criteria 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 13

14 Key European workshop conclusions (II) Expert judgement played a role in all countries There was a high degree of uncertainty in risk assessment; some countries plan to revise their criteria for HyMo risk assessment and phmwb Mainly abiotic data were used in risk assessment. In the future, criteria for HyMo risk assessment and phmwb should be biologically validated using the best available information 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 14

15 HyMo risk assessment in Austria Risk assessment in 3 categories: not at risk/at risk/possibly at risk Risk assessment based on pressure/impact indicators for rivers (Screening Method): hydrology (water abstraction, hydro-peaking, impoundments) artificial barriers/interruptions of river continuity morphology (5 class-system) 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 15

16 Examples of HyMo risk criteria in Austria Pressure/Impact indicator At risk Possibly at risk Impoundments (rivers > 100 km²: backwater > 500 m) (rivers < 100 km²: backwater > 100 m) Large reservoirs (lake character) or Chain of impoundments or Many (small) impoundments One or few (small) impoundments ( > 15% of WB length) ( < 15% of WB length) Pressure/Impact indicator At risk Possibly at risk River assessment of morphological alterations (5-class system) Length of WB > class 2 > 70% in class >2 or > 30% in class >3 30%-70% in class >2 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 16

17 Illustration of 5 classes for banks and bottom Courtesy: H. Mühlmann 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 17

18 From risk to phmwb in Austria WBs not at risk are not further considered WBs possibly at risk : no decision on phmwb presently possible (additional data and information is needed) WBs at risk : also the question of substantially changed in character was considered for phmwb identification Question of reversibility 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 18

19 Where are we on a European level? Art. 5 Reports submitted to EC (2005) Reports show that HyMo changes are the main reason for failing to reach GES in rivers 23 % of WBs were provisionally identified as HMWB due to physical alterations Final designation of HMWB pending in the upcoming River Basin Management Plans (2008/9) 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 19

20 - Belluno ESWG Conference 12/10/

21 HyMo pressures in Europe Urban development Flood defence Power generation (incl. Hydropower) Navigation Agriculture Recreation Water & Wastewater Other industrial uses Coastal defence Freshwater Fisheries Mining Forestry Marine Fisheries Percentage of Member States Driving forces 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 21

22 Based on CIS Guidance Document Courtesy: U.Irmer 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 22

23 Upcoming HMWB designation Socioeconomic assessment part of designation GEP not as demanding as GES but GEP does not mean we do nothing! All mitigation measures compatible with the specific use must be taken (should be seen as chance for HyMo degraded WBs) 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 23

24 New modifications: E.g new dam/reservoir Art 4.7: we are not in breach of the WFD when failure to achieve GES or GEP is the result of new modifications to the physical characteristics of a surface water body But under certain conditions: Mitigate adverse impact (take all practicable steps) Modifications are of overriding public interest There is no other significantly better environmental option 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 24

25 New modifications: Relevant EU directives Carry out assessment of whether the conditions of Art 4.7 are met in the planning stage incorporate assessment in the EIA required for specific projects (85/337/EEC) incorporate assessment in SEA (2001/42/EC) for plans and programmes affecting WFD objectives 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 25

26 Recent EU developments (I) Ongoing CIS activity on WFD & HyMo pressures Recent Documents: Good practice in managing the ecological impacts of hydropower, flood protection works and works for navigation under the WFD Recommendations for better policy integration of the WFD with energy, transport and flood protection policies see work_directive/thematic_documents/hydromorphology&v m=detailed&sb=title 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 26

27 Recent EU developments (II) Ongoing CIS activity on WFD & HyMo pressures Workshops / focus on information exchange: WFD & Hydropower Workshop, Berlin, June 2007 see Upcoming activities (in 2008) on Navigation and Flood Defense structures 12/10/ Belluno ESWG Conference 27

28 Thank you for your attention Eleftheria Kampa Ecologic, Pfalzburger Str , D Berlin , /10/ Belluno ESWG Conference