WELCOME • NO.4/1999
DANUBE WATCH Editorial CONTENTS
This issue of the Danube Watch concentrates on two demonstration CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES projects of the Strategic Action 3 Industrial Pollution should be dammed Plan Implementation Programme for the Danube Basin that were funded by the EC-Phare Multi- beneficiary Programme for the DRAVA-MURA Environment. These demonstration 5 The European River Lifeline needs Protection projects relate to improved environmental practices and clean technologies in Industry on one hand and on wetland restoration SMALL SCALE WETLANDS and 8 Saving Natural Paradises in Europe improved wetland management in some of the very valuable remaining wetlands in the Danube Basin on the other hand. SMALL SCALE WETLANDS What may even be of more interest is that this issue of the Danube 9 Examples for Restoration Projects Watch introduces two new initiatives. On is a special “corner” for children and one is the initiative “Artists for the Danube“. WETLAND The children of today are the 10 Wetland Management goes beyond Borders decision-makers of the future. If today children are well educated TEUN BOTTERWEG, about the importance of the TEAM LEADER, environment and nature then there EVENT DANUBE PROGRAMME is a good chance that they will 12 Artist for the Danube COORDINATION UNIT, apply that knowledge in their E-MAIL: future decision-making. For this TEUN.BOTTERWEG@ reason at the Danube PCU we were UNVIENNA.ORG thinking about producing a special TEENS CORNER children’s page. In this edition of 15 Aquarius, the Water Teen from the Danube the Danube Watch the result is launched! We do hope that children will be as exited about this idea as we are, and that teachers of schools will use this page in their environmental educational work and in English language lessons. For this reason we would like to ask the THIS ISSUE IS SUPPORTED BY PHARE. readers to give their Danube Watch to a child or to a teacher, or to Imprint: Owner: Danube Programme Coordination Unit, Vienna International Center, A-1400 Vienna, make copies of the children’s page Publisher: Bohmann Druck und Verlag Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG, A-1110 Wien, to be distributed to children and Leberstrasse 122, Tel. +43/1/740 95-0, Telex: 132312, Fax +43/1/740 95-110, DVR: 0408689. schools. Managing Director: Rudolf Bohmann, Heinz Keller. Publishing Management: Gabriele S. Ambros (E-Mail: [email protected]). Another new idea is the initiative Editor-in-Chief: Renate Haiden, Tel. +43/1/740 95/476 (E-Mail: [email protected]), “Artists for the Danube”. The net Assistant Editor: Alexander Tempelmayr, Doris Feik, Austria income of this initiative is to be Translation: Suzanne Krenn-Papasia, Irene Plank made available to nature Layout and electronic Production: Wilfried Schmied, Josef Strebinger Print: Ueberreuter Print und Digimedia GmbH, A-2100 Korneuburg, Austria conservation projects in the Coverphotos: Schneider-Jacoby/Euronatur (2); Begsteiger (1) floodplains of the Danube Basin. Statement on the fundamental orientation under § 25 Mediengesetz of June, 12 1981: At this place I would like to wish The Danube Watch is intended to be an instrument to support the flow of information on the Danube environment in general and on the EPDRB and the Danube River Protection both creative initiatives all the best Convention activities in particular. in their development and I hope Any views expressed in Danube Watch do not necessarily represent those of the members of the Programme Management Task Force or the staff of the Programme Coordination Unit.
2 CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES Clean Technologies
for a Clean Danube PHOTO: PHOTODISC®
Industrial pollution of the Danube River in Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia has induced mobilisation to evaluate the status of the river in these countries
he objectives of the Phare- pulping at Letea. Furthermore project „Clean Technologies creditworthiness of the firm after Tand Industrial Waste implementation of this project is Management” are to evaluate an important aspect. technologies and strategies and The second step is based on the select methods for further outcome of the study. The (new) reducing pollution of the Danube owners of Letea may initiate River from industry in three discussions with Phare and the national (sub)-projects: Romania, Romanian Investment Fund to Bulgaria and Slovakia. finance the preparation and The project was implemented implementation of the process Pollution of the Danube River derived from in seven stages and consists of integrated measures and industry has to be reduced three components: completion of the waste paper Viscose and polyester pulp line. the most cost-effective scenario. production plant Slovensky Then an upgrading of the Both the municipality and the hodváb in Senica, Slovak primary and secondary wastewater local industry (including Sevko) Republic; treatment steps as well as the will profit from a combined Paper and pulp mill Letea, sludge handling may proceed in treatment as compared to separate Bacau, Romania and steps three and four. Based on the treatment. The set-up of a private Combined waste water results of the upgrading of the shareholder company offers a treatment plant for industrial current treatment plant, the variety of chances to get the and household wastewater in necessity for the implementation necessary financial fundings for Sevlievo, Bulgaria. of a tertiary step has to be the project. confirmed through adequate The paper and pulp monitoring of the effluent. The production plant mill in Letea Step five will have to focus on Slovensky hodváb the continuity of sound operation The main environmental and management of the Main problem parameters in problems of Letea (Bacau, environmental investments as the viscose and polyester Romania) relate to a too high implemented in the previous production plant are sulfate, zinc,
water use, liquid effluents and SO2 phases. BOD, COD and TSS (Total emission into the air. Several Suspended Solid). A key issue is scenarios for future production Wastewater treatment the reduction of the volume of the capacities have been investigated in Sevlievo wastewater quantity, which is and it turned out that the most discharged to the Waste Water cost-effective and realistic remedy- The feasibility study anticipates Treatment Plant (WWTP), because scenario would be a combination process-integrated measures to the present Biological Waste Water of process integrated measures and reduce especially chromium and Treatment Plant (BioWWTP) of end-of-pipe measures. nitrogen loads from the Sevko Slovensky hodváb is overloaded. In order to achieve these goals a tannery. Nine alternatives have The Board of Slovensky hodváb five-step programme has been been identified and assessed in the decided to implement process worked out. The first step is the study. From the technical, integrated measures which should preparation of a feasibility study financial and economic result in a lower loading of its own for the completion of the waste assessment it finally turned out BioWWTP and ChemWWTP in paper pulping line. The study that combined treatment of terms of hydraulic loading as well should confirm the feasibility for household wastewater and pre- as reduction of the pollutant waste paper collection and treated wastewater from Sevko is loading. ∆
DANUBE WATCH • 4/1999 3 CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES
case there is no room for re- over the year. negotiation, then the enlargement The reduction of drinking water of the glaubersalt production use of 0.33 million m3/a to 0.13 capacity should be considered. million m3/a has been The performance of the implemented with a combination BioWWTP has been improved of measures: some investments PHOTO: BUENOS DIAS may be required as well as a A market study to increase the change of working methods by the selling or disposal of glaubersalt is staff involved. Implementation of to be implemented. As agreed and this measure will reduce the total laid down in a Memorandum of effluent volume further down to Understanding this is the task of 1.3 million m3/a. Slovensky hodváb. Furthermore a After implementation of the reduction of primary water use by above defined measures the re-using the second wash water for hydraulic load of the BioWWTP the first wash and distillation is to will have been reduced to one The aim of Based on the results of the be achieved. This would save third of its former hydraulic load. 3 the Phare study, it was agreed to continue about 400 m /day which is about It is recommended to await the Project is to with a reduction of water use and 12.5 % of the water use in the results of these changes on the evaluate zinc and sulphate emission of the viscose plant. The investment performance of the BioWWTP technologies viscose plant as well as a reduction costs are relatively low (< 1 million before taking further measures on and of water use in the polyester plant. Sk) and operational costs are the treatment plant itself. The strategies The viscose plant will implement minor. Finally better same holds for the ChemWWTP. for reducing the following options on short housekeeping measures with the The activities implemented so industrial term: Firstly, dumping of spin aim of limiting the quantity of far, fit well within the process of pollution in bath into the sewer should be water involved in cleaning and qualification for ISO 14001. The three avoided by producing and selling maintenance operations are to be company also committed itself to Danube more glaubersalt. In this way a introduced. implement a market study with River sulfate emission reduction from For the polyester plant cooling the aim of increasing the selling of Countries the present (1998) 3,700 ton/a to towers with heat exchanger glaubersalt. No new investments 3,000 ton/a is feasible. This system between the cooling towers would be required to increase the amount of 3,000 ton/a is still and the injectors haven been production of glaubersalt. above the permit of 1980 ton/a. choosen as an option to improve A great outcome of the project This problem may have to be the performance of the BioWWTP „Clean Technologies and discussed with the authorities. A substantially. The occurring Industrial Waste Management” is trade-off may be proposed to discharge of water by the ejectors, that has directly lead to future reduce the maximum permitted which is fluctuating between 700 investment projects. Now the next zinc concentration to half of its m3/day and 2,600 m3/day, has step is a concrete technical design present level against an increase of been reduced to 50-100 m3/day, and further agreements for the permitted load of sulfate. In which then will become constant investments.
SLOVENSKY HODVÁB, LETEA, SEVLIEVO, SLOVAK REPUBLIC ROMANIA BULGARIA Identified measures: Identified measures: Identified measures: Reduction of water use and zinc and Completion of the waste papier process integrated measures at the sulphate emissions form the Viscose pulping line water Sevko tannery including Plant Bark press pretreatment of its waste water Reduction of water use in the Clarifier and press for debarking combined treatment of industrial polyester plant plant and household waste water with fluidised bed boiler the low-loaded activated sludge Investment costs: water consumption reduction technology primary and secondary treatment 19–41 million SK tertiary treatment (0,52-1,13 MEURO) Investment costs: training programme and feasibility 10.9 MEURO study for the waste water pulping line completion of the waste paper pulping line
Investment costs: 9.7 MEURO
4 DRAVA-MURA The European River Lifeline Needs Protection
The first initiatives to save the unique corridor through five countries started at the beginning of the 1980s PHOTO: SCHNEIDER-JACOBY/EURONATUR
The Bilja Castle at the door to the Kopacki Rit National Park
ivers, as well as mountain preserved during the Austro- of the most diverse stretches of ridges, have been used in Hungarian Empire. river in Europe. More than 350 Rmany cases as natural During a major flood 300 years kilometres of river from Austria borderlines. Ecologically, ago, the river washed out a new down to the Danube remained, geographically, and often also bed starting at the estuary of the while upstream 27 dams were built culturally, the whole valley or Mura. The Drava cut off a 9,850 on the Drava and 15 on the Mura. mountain forms a unit and both hectare area from Croatia which The free running rivers Mura and sides – now in different countries since that day is situated on the Drava form a unique corridor and under different regulations – north side of the river. The people through five countries and a have many common features. here today speak mainly European lifeline which needs State borders are mostly defined as Hungarian because they were protection. the middle of a river, and the separated from the other villages The first initiatives in the riverbeds are stabilised by concrete by the 30 kilometres long change different countries started at the and embankments. of the riverbed. beginning of the 1980s. People of A very good example of this the Mura region in Slovenia phenomenon is the Drava-Mura A unique corridor protested against seven dams corridor between Austria, Slovenia, through five countries planned on their river. The Hungary and Croatia. The most regional emotion and the interesting part is the Croatian- During the times of the Iron sensitivity for the Mura as the soul Hungarian border, about 180 Curtain most of the floodplain of the region was so strong that, kilometres long. The border is one was not accessible for people, and even in a country that was still thousand years old and was even the natural dynamic formed one socialist, the planners had to give ∆
DANUBE WATCH • 4/1999 5 DRAVA-MURA
white tailed eagles, 110 black 1996 a second conference was storks and 400 ferruginous ducks held in Radenci in Slovenia with breed along the rivers. More than the support of the Slovenian 50 fish species and 54 dragonfly government and the thermal spa. species have been registered in As a part of the PIN-Matra recent years. project, financed by the dutch The old towns along the Drava government, the last conference and Mura from Graz and Bad was held in Zagreb in 1998. All Radkersburg to Osijek and from conferences were important steps Maribor and Ptuj to Pec are well towards promoting ecological preserved and offer a unique view value and international PHOTO: SCHNEIDER-JACOBY/EURONATUR of the history of the defence of cooperation. They were organised Central Europe against the by EURONATUR and the invasion of the Osmanian Empire appropriate NGO in the country over several centuries. The Drava- itself. Mura region was part of the During the first Drava military border, and towns like Conference in Kaposvar 1993, the Varazdin have a long, interesting idea of a Biosphere Reserve Drava- history. The region is famous for Mura arose. Three years later, after The Drava in Slovenia its large number of thermal spas the first collection of basic but there is no infrastructure to materials on biological diversity, up. Already in 1984 the nature connect health tourism with protected areas and tourist protection authority in Maribor nature. The landscape offers infrastructure, the proposal was prepared a project to establish the unique opportunities to combine discussed in the thermal spa of “Mura“ Regional Park. both: for instance, to have a nice Radenci again and an initial set of In 1989 the newly formed warm bath after a cycle ride along background material was sent to Hungarian regional NGOs the river. the UNESCO. The international (national focal points) started to organisation invited the countries fight against the big dam near Effective steps towards to apply for the nomination of the Djurdjevac which was planned by protection of nature Drava-Mura region as a Biosphere Hungary and Yugoslavia. In 1991 Reserve (UNESCO 1996). A clear the Hungarian parliament The first step to promote concept for co-operation cross changed its policy on the Drava protection of the river ecosystem borders and the creation of a River project and decided to create after the national protests against protected area was found. the Danube-Drava National Park. dams was the formation of a work Since the end of 1997, the Meanwhile, in Croatia, foresters group in 1992. A series of Drava- Dutch PIN-Matra Programme has criticised the planned Mura conferences began in supported the project. The hydroelectric plant because the Kaposvar in 1993 during the first programme was set up to support alluvial and lowland forest was project phase with the support of the Pan-European Landscape and much more valuable than the the town of Kaposvar, Alpe-Adria Biodiversity Strategy. First results energy that the power plant could and the German government. In are very encouraging. Ten years produce.
Ecological importance and cultural values
In Austria EURONATUR prepared a feasibility study for the development of the “Border Mura“ – the only free flowing part of the lowland Mura in Austria. The main findings were that the
alluvial forests are the second PHOTO: SCHNEIDER-JACOBY/EURONATUR largest in Austria and that the area needed better protection. Measures were proposed to restore the alluvial dynamic and to improve the value of the region not only ecologically but also for tourism. The main value of the Drava- Mura region is its high biodiversity. More than 40 pairs of A floating mill at the Mura River (Howenien)
6 DRAVA-MURA
ago only one large protected area, zone could follow soon. UNESCO tremendous role in the regional the Nature Park Kopacki Rit, criteria can be fulfilled by the large climate. Meadows and pastures are existed along the whole river number of protected areas along also important biotopes that are corridor. Now, more and more the rivers. Now a common used sustainable and need long protected areas have been strategy of the countries to term preservation. Fish ponds play established. develop the region without an important role as feeding and A new cross-border destroying its unique biodiversity breeding sites for birds and can be co-operation is needed. included in the buffer zone of a Many activities have future Biosphere Reserve. This co-operation is still already started Most important is the creation informal although contacts have of a chain of protected areas along been established and the exchange Excellent research is being the river to secure the free flow of of information has been carried out by the universities in water and sediments, and the improved. The first bilateral Pecs, Osijek, Maribor, and other migration of animals, as such contacts have been made between scientific institutions along the otter, and fish. Along the Drava the nature protection authorities of Croatia, Hungary and Slovenia. In recent years, important protected areas have been established or are in a process of implementation. The major protected areas with an administration of their own are the Danube-Drava National Park in Hungary and the Nature Park Kopacki Rit in Croatia. Regular visits started in October 1997 in PHOTO: SCHNEIDER-JACOBY/EURONATUR Kopacevo.
Establish an agreement between the states
On the Mura River the Regional Park Mura in Slovenia will become an important partner for transnational co-operation. The partner on the Hungarian side is the Balaton-Upland National Park directorate, which is planning the The free running rivers Mura and Drava form a corridor through five countries Mura Landscape Protected Area. with a unique biodiversity An Interreg/Phare project between Austria and Slovenia is already rivers in close cooperation with and Mura Rivers the natural improving protection and regional the protected areas, e.g. Danube dynamic was preserved partly by development along the “border- Drava National Park and Nature the Iron Curtain. After the Mura”. Park Kopacki Rit. Species lists have political changes, better solutions The most important step now is been prepared for the whole river for the protection of the unique to establish an agreement between and only a small part of the ecosystem have to be found. the states. It would improve the alluvial wetlands of the Mura in The protection of a riverine work of the specialists and the Austria was excepted by the landscape in five countries is a protected areas and ease the fund European Council as a Biogenetic long process. The informal raising for the project. The Reserve. working group and three transfrontier protection of the Old traditions such as the conferences held in Kaposvar Drava and Mura as well as the floating mills on the Mura and 1993, Radenci 1996 and Zagreb development of protected areas traditional measures for water 1998 played an important role (Nature Park Kopacki Rit/HR, management are already being during the conception, promotion Drava Forests/HR, Drava/HU-SLO used to demonstrate the and formulation phases. and Mura/SLO) are already connection of the people with the New protected areas have been included in the Strategic Action river. Sustainable use is already a planned and created by the States Plan for the Danube River Basin part of forest management in most over the last ten years. Already (Task Force 1994). of the lowland forests especially in more than 120,000 ha are The nomination of the region Croatia. The oak forests, although protected or proposed for as a Biosphere Reserve with the economically used, host a very protection. Politicians, nature protected areas as core and buffer rich flora and fauna and play a protection authorities and
DANUBE WATCH • 4/1999 7 WETLANDS PHOTO: SCHNEIDER-JACOBY/EURONATUR
A set of restoration measures should save the values of individual wetlands and re-establish the original proportionateness of different wetland types in the region
which began in April 1997 Saving Natural involved a basin wide effort from NGOs and research organizations to identify a portfolio of potential sites and to train a group of local Paradises in Europe NGOs in wetland restoration techniques. National focal points in each The project “Small Scale Wetland Restoration“ country, together with other national colleagues, elaborated a was jointly organised by the World Conservation comprehensive list of small scale restoration sites for their country. Union and the WWF and financed by EU Phare The longer list of sites was then Multi Beneficiary Programme for the Environment evaluated and judged according to a set of criteria developed to determine “priority sites” for he Strategic Action Plan of biodiversity) and to establish its restoration. A priority list of 20 the Danube River natural purification and sites has been developed and TEnvironment Programme assimilative capacity”. published and includes such sites adopted in 1994 acknowledged as the Mur River in Slovenia, a the important role that wetlands A portfolio of potential portion of the Gemenc floodplains play in the nutrient balance of the sites has been identified of southern Hungary and the Danube River and in ensuring a lower Prut River of Moldova. healthy Danube River. Floodplains In recognition of this fact the It is hoped that international perform an essential role in water European Union Phare and national funding agencies will purification, reducing flood programme funding for the support the projects on the list. hazards, and preserving dwindling Danube has supported projects in Important about the list is that the biodiversity. subsequent years involving the projects identified are “small The SAP states: “Conservation, restoration of wetlands. Among scale” – involving restoration costs restoration and management of these has been an ambitious of less than 100,000 ECU. The riverine habitat and biodiversity project to identify a portfolio of small scale wetland restoration are important for maintaining the potential small scale wetland project is a complimentary project natural capital of the basin (its restoration projects. The project to an overview of wetland
8 WETLANDS
restoration needs in the Danube director of the WWF Danube the list of small scale wetland River Basin generated by UNDP. Carpathian Programme, said that restoration projects will form a Among the factors taken into “local NGOs have an important component of the ongoing efforts account in evaluating the and valuable role to help conserve, to bring about environmental potential for restoration were the restore and ensure sustainable use improvement in the Danube River hydrological and management of wetlands.” The Basin and is pleased that both the geomorphological uniqueness, as success of any restoration project EU Phare supporting well as species diversity and life will depend upon the support of implementation of some of the communities. Priority was given to the local population. projects identified, i.e Morava identify projects that would not The more the local population River in the Czech Republic, Little only save the values of individual understands and support the Braila Island in Romania and wetlands, but also re-establish project, the more effective is the Lower Prut in Moldova. As Team corridors and connections and, results. In recognition of this Leader of Danube PCU, Teun where appropriate, the original important component of Botterweg has stated „although proportion of different wetland successful projects, Phare initiatives of NGOs are essential types in the region. The supported as part of the project a for enhancing wetland participants in the programme two week training programme conservation, donors and also determined the likelihood of involving over 20 NGO supporters from both in and success as a key factor. representatives from all countries outside the region will be needed in the basin. A sharing of to realize the full range of projects NGOs play an information and techniques identified“. The project has, important role among people from different parts however, set in motion important of the basin was achieved. As one activities involving the A critical component of participant noted it was important identification and recognition of achieving success in how we “to realize that our little project in the potential for wetland manage and treat wetland areas is Slovakia is connected to many restoration at a small scale with a the involvement of people at the other projects throughout the recognition that a lot of small local level. NGOs and academic basin.” Together these projects scale projects could add up to organizations have effectively make a big difference. potentially big changes in the played a major role. Philip Weller, The Danube PCU hopes that health of the Danube ecosystem.
EEP – European Environmental The fact that the environment knows no boundaries requires the harmonisation of policy at a Press: Your partner European level. Therefore it is essential that the public and environmental professionals for environmental information have access to an authoritative source of information in key areas Environment Business Magazine 18–20 Ridgway, SW19 4QN London United Kingdom Tel. +44 181 944 2930, Fax +44 181 944 6691 L’Eco Manager Rue René Sacré 20, 1367 Ramilles Belgium Tel. +32 81 87 77 38, Fax +32 81 87 85 61 Environnement Magazine 38 rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs, 75001 Paris France Tel. +33 1 5345 8900, Fax +33 1 4260 1041 UmweltMagazin A European Tour of Good Practice: Max-Planck-Straße 7/9, 97064 Würzburg Germany Information for local decision-makers Tel. +49 931 41 82 631, Fax +49 931 41 82 750 Inquinamento Interpretation of environmental challanges in Europe today 20092 Cinisello, via Gorki 69, 20092 Milan Italy Increasing awareness Tel. +39 2 660 341, Fax +39 2 660 342 38 Encouraging the exchange of knowledge and experience MilieuMagazine PO Box 532, 1000 MA Amsterdam Ensuring the best possible dissemination of information Netherlands Tel. +31 20 638 3011, Fax +31 20 638 2871 Tecno Ambiente Palmeras 23, 28700 S. S. De Los Reyes, Madrid Four Miniguides – Water, Waste, Air and Employment – available at Spain Tel. +34 1 654 5011, Fax +34 1 654 5021 Bohmann Verlag, Industria e Ambiente Parca da Corunjeira, 28 - Apartado 3825 Redaktion Umweltschutz, Leberstr. 122, A-1110 Vienna 4300 Porto, Portugal or at your local EEP partner! Tel. +351-02-589 96 20, Fax +351-02-589 96 29 WETLANDS
restoration projects under the Danube SIP (Strategic Action Plan Implementation Programme), this wetland region gained new speed in its development as a model area for innovative transboundary river and wetland management.
PHOTO: LESY CESKE REPUBLIKY An expert team assessed restoration possibilities
It was in early September 1997 that the new Phare project team met for the first time. It was composed of Czech foresters, German and Austrian floodplain ecologists, and a Slovak NGO. Their task was to jointly prepare over the next 18 months both concrete restoration proposals for degraded floodplain meadows and forests in selected sites along both rivers, as well as to implement pilot restoration action. A similarly unusual team was formed in May 1998, composed of Czech and Slovak river Within the Phare project, improvements in the water supply of floodplain management institutions, fish forests of the Czech Dyje river was achieved biologists, nature conservationists as well as a river engineer from Germany and a limnologist from Austria. Working in the same Wetland Management region, their separate task was to assess restoration possibilities for migrating fish and disconnected Goes Beyond Borders river meanders. Team leader and co-ordinator was an international NGO (WWF who commissioned Zinke Engineers and ecologists from Slovakia, Czechia and Environment Consulting) which itself linked the local activities the EU have started innovative ways of river and with the EU-Phare consultant Carl wetland management in the Morava-Dyje region Bro International in Denmark and with the Danube PCU in Vienna. None of the local actors had experience with EU project administration and with such a t was “thanks” to the Iron that river engineering over the last diverse working team. Curtain that the traditionally 30 years caused various On 3rd December 1999, the Iextensive land use in the detrimental interventions for the results of these teams’ activities floodplains along the Lower various wetlands but the political were presented in an international Morava and Dyje rivers (border confrontation of the “Cold War” workshop in Bratislava, gathering between the Czech Republic, prevented intensification of land 36 government and other experts Austria and Slovakia) did not use that has degraded most from 10 Danube basin countries. intensify over decades. This European river landscapes. On request of the Danube PCU secured the survival of many rare After 1989, the new economic and with the financial support of wetland species such as the white development became visible along the Austrian Chancellery and the and the black storks, the corncrake the borderlines but the same Phare Multi-Country Environment or the greylag goose. They still applies for nature conservation Programme, the experience made breed in large numbers in this 250 activities (e.g. establishment of in the Morava-Dyje region was km2 large mosaic of old floodplain protected Ramsar sites in all three then shared and commented with forests, large open meadows and states). With the starting in representatives from other basin numerous water bodies. It is true 1997/98 of two EU-Phare wetland areas where similar action is at
10 WETLANDS
stake. point was a conceptual framework public attention and interest. The results of the Phare which defined the reference levels The very positive experience projects are multiple for restoration (hydrology, and the obvious success of these physical habitats, hydrobiology, Phare projects needs now to be A long list of restoration geographical boundaries), the expanded: Both by securing proposals was made ready for impacts to be addressed and the follow-up funding for more implementation. Repeated team restoration potential and restoration action in the Morava- discussions secured that objectives. This allowed to confine Dyje region and by starting similar restoration ideas were shaped into to the priority activities within the projects elsewhere in the Danube activities which are realistic from Phare projects (Phase I). As a technical, ecological and financial concrete output from this process, a draft Trilateral Wetland INFORMATION Restoration Strategy was developed. The intensive, open discussion
PHOTO: A. ZINKE within the new team was positively used to establish new national and cross-boundary working groups. While in the beginning, the personal positions reflected many differences, the open and honest discussions finally lead to new alliances in wetland management. A substantial role was played by altogether five EU experts who brought in international experience and secured an he information poster is efficient use of local ideas and Tavailable in Slovak/English. An competence. 18-minutes professional video is The need and usefulness of co- also available in Czech and in operation became also apparent English and describes model with the Austrian side where activities of the Phare-projects another expert team happened to and shows the beauty of the work on a very similar wetland wetlands. These videos and the restoration project, funded leaflet are distributed both in the The Morava- point of view. This includes through EU-Life. The related region and internationally to Dyje border measures such as fish pass-ways repeated exchange of data and increase the public attention and region is a over or around migration-blocking experiences was beneficial for all unique weirs, re-openings of disconnected partners involved. It much mosaique of meanders and improved contributed to the recent wetlands hydrology of degrading forests and establishment of a “Trilateral meadows. Morava-Dyje Ramsar Platform” Three initial restoration which is co-ordinated by the three measures were successfully environment ministries in Vienna, started which result in visible Bratislava and Prague. improvements of selected Internal communication was biotopes. For instance, a 3.2 km extended to the wider public on a long old forest channel which was regular base. Three “Authorities filled up with leaves and dead Fora” were organised to inform wood, was cleared. Since early and get feedback from local 1999 it provides again the water villages, authorities and other needed to stop the decaying of experts from all three countries. In 250 ha of Dyje floodplain forests. addition, the first results in form In another action, 130 hectares of project proposals and first ploughed meadows benefited from visible action are being presented Phare funds: Slovak farmers agreed in an information poster (Slovak- basin. It is a very rewarding task. to harvest seeds from intact English) and in an 18-minutes floodplain meadows and to sow professional video (in Czech an them on former meadow land. din English). They are being A new strategy for wetland distributed both in the region (to restoration was jointly developed. communities, schools etc.) and FURTHER INFORMATION ON Common ground and starting internationally to increase the THIS PROJECT IS AVAILABLE AT:
DANUBE WATCH • 4/1999 11 E V E N T Artists for the Danube: sucessfull start
The Danube Programme Coordination Unit and Aqua Press International have launched the initiative ” A rtists for the Danube”
cultural area.“ Funds for wetlands in b o rders re g i o n s
A video by the well-known Hungarian nature film producer Istvan Nadaskay – ”Wetlands I C P D R - P resident Wolfgang Stalzer Across the Borders” – led the unveils the engraving visitors to the border-crossing wetlands of the Morava-Dyje Union,” explains the artist. region, which are the object of the The highlight of the event was first fund-raising action. The net the unveiling of the copper financial profit from the limited engraving by Dr. Walter Stalzer, edition of prints of the copper President of the International engraving by Karin Zambra ”Water Commission for the Protection of Teun Botterweg opens the initial event Forces” will support a the Danube. The partially in the Vienna International Centre renaturalisation project for the coloured copper engraving titled wetlands of the Morava-Dyje ”Water Forces” printed on 250 region. gramme Dutch paper symbolises he initiative ”Artists for the “There are no environmental the power of water in nature. Soft, Danube” was officially projects along the Austrian, Czech wave-like lines suggest water Tlaunched on November 30, and Slovak border for the time movements and dynamics. 1999, with a vernissage at the being due to a lack of funds”, Delicate colours underline the Vienna International Centre that knows Zambra. ”Only the first pithy arrangement of lines. welcomed about 100 visitors. Teun inventory and proposals for the ”This event is meant to be the Botterweg, Team Leader of the renaturalisation and preservation first in a series in order to present Danube Programme Coordination of wetlands and riparian meadow more works from artists from the Unit for the implementation of landscapes were funded by the entire Danube Basin,” says the environmental programme for Phare Programme of the European Zambra. ”Artists for the Danube” the Danube, stressed in his is based in Vienna, but it will opening address the significance closely cooperate with the other of this initiative: “Artists for the Danubian countries and the artists Danube” was created to support living there. projects protecting and revitalising ”In addition to the unique natural areas on the international approach, further Danube and in the Danube delta. initiatives shall be created on a Apart from the programmes and national level. First contacts with projects of international interested persons in the organisations and financial Danubian countries have already institutions a new approach is been established,” Zambra is glad being created here that goes well to say. beyond environmental protection. The next event is planned for Karin Zambra, initiator and the International Water Day on artist, is also underlining the March 22, 2000. ”different nature” of this idea: ”Nature is an important source of F U RTHER INFORMAT I O N : inspiration for artists of various art KARIN ZAMBRA, DANUBE PCU, domains and are therefore a Alexander Zinke presents the pro j e c t VIENNA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE, unifying element in a unique and the video P.O.BOX 500, A-1400 VIENNA
12 Artists for the Danube Dan initiative ofa the Danuben PCU in cooperationu bwith Aqua Presse International (Bohmann Verlag)
“Artists for the Danube” is a new initiative to support the protection of the Danube River Basin environment. This initiative focuses on fund raising for environmental actions that lack financial support.
“Water Forces” is a multi-colour engraving, printed in a limited edition of 500 and it will be sent to you for a donation of 120 EURO (larger donations are welcome). The net financial profit of “Water Forces” will be dedicated to the restoration and saving of the original habitat of a variety of rare wetland species like the white and black stork, the beaver and the zingel and streber fishes along the Lower Morava-Dyje Rivers in the Danube Basin. These rivers form the borders between Czechia, Austria and Slovakia. The preparatory phase for the wetland restoration in the Morava-Dyje region was financially supported by the Phare Multi-Beneficiary Programmes of the European Union but now new funding is needed. A video on the natural beauty of the Morava-Dyje region, prepared under the Phare funded phase, will be shown at the take-off event on 30 of November, where the engraving “Water Forces“ will be presented. Each work of art is hand made by the artist, printed on deckle-edged paper of 250g, using the technique of partial colouring.
“WATER FORCES” Image Size: 24x18 cm / Paper Size: 53x38cm Colours of actual engraving are lighter than shown here. To see a more accurate picture please visit the Danube PCU Home Page. The artistic composition highlights the prominence of the water element in the environment. The flowing and wavy lines vividly suggest the forces of water in motion. The dependence of Life on the presence of water is forcefully articulated.
THE ARTIST Karin Zambra, started her artistic career in 1984. Among her exhibitions was a solo showing in the America-House in Vienna on the artwork she developed during her stays in the US and a group show in the Carpenter Center at Harvard University. Since 1997 she has been associated with the Danube Programme Coordination Unit.
Order Form: Please fax or mail to the Danube PCU, Vienna International Centre, Room D0418, P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria; Telephone: +43 1 26060 5616, Fax: +43 1 26060 5836 Please send me ...... copies of the engraving “Water Forces”.
Name:...... Address ......
Signature: ...... Date: ......
Please transfer your donation to the account of WWF Carpathian Programme in Vienna, Austria Description of Payment: “Water Forces”, Name of Bank: PSK, Bank Code: 60000, Account Code: 90.010.02, The payment of min. 120 EURO includes postage costs. The engraving will be mailed to you upon receipt of your donation. For more information please contact: Ms. Karin Zambra at the Danube PCU, e-mail: [email protected], Danube PCU Home Page: http://www.rec.org/DanubePCU SHORT CUTS
EVENT Environmental issues “A River of Life” across international borders
In October 1999, the Danube he Annual Conference on the protection. The most important Environmental Symposium ”A River TDanube Region was held at the recommendations of this Working of Life, Down the Danube to the Vienna Austria Center from Group were an obligatory Black Sea” gathered 125 leaders December 9-10, 1999, this year environmental education from the fields of religion, science, already for the second time. The beginning with kindergarten, the and the envrionment. Over the talks centred on the economic promotion of alternative forms course of ten days “Symposium III” perspectives of a larger Europe and protecting water, soil and travelled the length the advantages of a cooperation biodiversity – for instance organic of the Danube between economy, science and agriculture, and the River, from Passau, research in Central and Southeast implementation of water Germany to the Europe. About 400 representatives protection projects resulting from delta in Romania of Austria, the EU countries and the Danube Basin Strategic Action and the Ukraine. the Danube region discussed Plan with funds from the Stability During that period, topics on economic cooperation Pact. delegates heard and mutual transfer of knowledge. Under the chairmanship of statements from ”The Conference is a positive Gerhard Weber, Director General over 30 contribution to the discussions on of the Vienna City Planning international and the advantages and Symposium regional experts on various aspects disadvantages of EU participants of the Danube and participated in enlargement. This event are enjoying plenary sessions, workshops and shall contribute to weaken the trip informal briefings. “Principal the negative positions Findings & Recommendations” on toward EU enlargement
ecological health and water quality, with arguments”, explains PHOTO: HENISCH/SPIOLA navigation, the post-conflict era Ivo Stanek, General and capacitiy building are a Secretary of the organizers, product of that process. the International Vienna “The European Union should Council. Bureau, the Working Group commit to a long-term programme The topics of the Conference “Urban Technology” identified a with sufficient political and comprised the areas transport, common future strategy for all the financial means to address the logistics, environment, Danube Basin countries based on Danube region´s major ecological cooperation between universities, the aspects of avoidance and and social challanges, ”summarizes academies, research institutes and reduction. “Recycling strategies, Wolfgang Stalzer, president of industry, banking and finance, an efficient management of ICPDR, the main results. high-tech and infrastructure. material flows, and the reuse of “Furthermore the programme could ”Through the exchange of raw materials in the production establish working groups experience and meetings with process are necessary instruments comprised of representatives decision-makers from politics, for avoiding emissions”, reflecting the Danube´s national, science and the economy, concrete summarises Weber. Among the ethnic and religious composition”, solutions can be found”, says major results contributed by the says Stalzer. Stanek describing the advantages Working Group to the final Promoters of the major event were of the conference. document were mainly two the Ecumenical Patriarch of In many Danube regions the recommendations: Constantinople, the head of the protection and renaturalisation of An analysis of the current Greek-Orthodox Church, and the natural areas is one of the primary situation with regard to water European Commission. The tasks of national governments and management, wastewater disposal Symposium, held from October 17 – international organisations. and waste management in the 25, 1999, was the third event of “However, this goal can only be various countries of the Danube this kind. The two former venues achieved if the concept of Region is necessary. were the Aegean region and the sustainable development becomes In order to achieve EU Black Sea. the basis for economic standards, Danubian states, in The organiser of the event is the development and progress”, particular those that plan to join NGO ”Religion, Science and the summarises Leopold März, Rector the European Union, need Environment” based in London and of the Vienna University of substantial investments in Athens. It was founded in 1995 and Agricultural Sciences. His Working environmental technology. is inviting representatives from the Group “Environment” discussed A major result of the discussion churches, scientists and issues of sustainability, agriculture, process in the individual Working regional planning and water Groups is the Final Document,
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R Water Webs The International World Water Council: Water Policy http://www.world- Think Tank watercouncil.org
A competence Natural Environment centre for ecology Research Council: and hydrology http://www.nwl.ac. uk/
Encouraging Nordic Hydrological regional Programme: co-operation http://www. vandressource.dk/ nhp-dk.thm#top
Building a network Global Water for Sustainable Partnership: Water Management http://www.gwp.si- da.se/gwp/welc.htm