Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit

Water Balance in the Alps 2nd Conference

Report on the State of the Alps- Water (RSA II-Water)

Proceedings of the Conference held in Munich, 30-31 October 2008

PREFACE

Water is not a regular commodity but an inherited good which has to be protected, defended and treated with care. This applies in particular to the abundant water resources in the Alps. Due to their key economic and cultural significance these water resources are often also referred to as the "white gold of the Alps" and the Alps are often called the "Europe's reservoir".

At the IX. Session of the Alpine Conference on 9 November 2006 in Alpbach the Secretariat therefo­ re received the mandate to devote the second Report on the State of the Alps to water issues. The report was to be drafted in concert with the Presidency of the Alpine Conference and with the sup­ port of an ad-hoc working group under joint German-Austrian chairmanship.

In a little more than 18 months a wealth of data and information was gathered, based on contributi­ ons from countries of the Alpine region, and extensive analyses were carried out. The results were presented to conference participants and intensively discussed on 30 and 31 October 2008 in Munich at the follow-up conference "Water Balance in the Alps", which was a continuation of the dia­ logue on water issues started in Innsbruck in 2006. Representatives from the Contracting Parties, the European Union, the most prominent stakeholder groups, scientists, observers of the Alpine Conference and interested non-governmental organisations took part in the discussion.

This conference volume summarises the most important results of the presentations and discussions held at the conference, which have also been incorporated into the final version of the Second Report on the State of the Alps. Thus the conference volume gives an overview of the most impor­ tant water resources management issues in the Alpine region.

We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all speakers for the effort they made in edit­ ing their presentations and all participants in the discussion for their constructive contributions and suggestions and also for the extremely lively discussion.

The joint German-Austrian chair of the group of experts responsible for the drafting of the Second Report on the State of the Alps.

Karl Schwaiger Peter Frei Head of the Department for International Water Head of Division for Water Management in Rural Management of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Areas, Mountain Torrents of the Bavarian State Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Ministry of the Environment, Public Health and Management Consumer Protection, Germany

Waterbalance in the Alps 3 CONTENT

INTRODUCTION 5 SECTION 1 10 The Alps, the Water Tower of Europe - Water Resources and Drivers SECTION 2 15 Climate Change and Protection against Natural Hazards in the Alpine Perimeter SECTION 3 19 River Morphology and Continuity of the Water Bodies in the Alps SECTION 4 24 Hydropower Generation and Hydropeaking in the Alps SECTION 5 28 Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? FINAL CONCLUSIONS 38 EXCURSION 40 PARTICIPANTS 42

4 Waterbalance in the Alps INTRODUCTION

Introductory Remarks Marie-Joëlle Couturier, France Presidency of the Alpine Convention, Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development

The French presidency of the Alpine Convention The document in its current version contains a expresses its gratitude to Germany for hosting specific chapter on water and water resources the conference. The presidency is highly plea­ which is based on the dual objective of preven­ sed that the experts of the RSA Working Group ting water scarcity and of controlling the deve­ have produced such an excellent document lopment of power stations in a way that respects which will be very helpful in the future work of the ecology of the water bodies. the Alpine Convention. In terms of natural risks, the French presidency The French presidency has also been actively proposes specific measures in order to reduce engaged in activities linked to the water issue. flood risks in the mountains (in particular by limit­ The presidency's project, which is based on the ing surface sealing) and to limit the impact of Alpbach Declaration, aims at making the Alps a floods (in particular by developing and adapting model region in the field of climate change miti­ warning and early warning systems). The upda­ gation and adaptation. ting of the natural hazards map, which will take As this plan has not yet been approved by the into account additional risks due to climate chan­ Permanent Committee of the Alpine Convention, ge, is to be undertaken as soon as possible. it is not possible to disclose the proposed mea­ sures in detail. They still need to be validated by the delegations.

Introduction 5 Climate Change in the Alpine Perimeter-Cooperation on Adaptation Measures Martin Grambow, Germany Head of Water Management, Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health

The European high mountain ranges, our Alps, Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2004 with the purpo­ are the backbone of our continent in the truest se of improving and speeding up implementation sense of the word - however, they are under par­ of the protocols and setting up various networks. ticular strain from climate induced stress. Report on the State of the Alps on Water National regulations no longer suffice to protect Issues: them. For this reason we met at the Alpine Water is of vital importance in the Alpine region. Conference in 1989 and established the This was also expressed in the "Multi-Annual Convention on the Protection of the Alps with the Work Programme" and at the meeting of envi­ aim of improving international cooperation in the ronment ministers of the Contracting Parties at Alpine region. Alpach (Austria) in 2006. Therefore the - In this forum the Alpine states act in concert Permanent Secretariat received the mandate to with the EU. present a report on the state of the Alps on - Here we have committed ourselves to the "Water resources for the Alpine region" in close sustainable development of the Alps. concert with the Presidency of the Alpine Conference, representatives of the Contracting So far nine implementation protocols have been Parties and an ad-hoc working group of experts. adopted which determine sustainable develop­ Austria and Germany had the joint chairmanship ment in the Alps in more concrete terms and in the experts group. provide us with clear objectives, e.g. in the fields of: Results - regional planning, transport and tourism The report established that the Alpine water - nature conservation, mountain forests, moun­ resources are in a better state in all fields of tain farming and soil protection. investigation than the waters of the surrounding The protocols were signed by all member states non-Alpine regions. but only about half of the Contracting Parties have put them into force. It was, furthermore, established that there are no systematic deficits in the water sector relating to Now we have to take care that development in water management and that the detected pro­ the Alpine region takes place at a uniform pace: blems are covered by the scope of the Water an important element towards this end is the Framework Directive of the EU. Identified regio­ "Multi-Annual Work Programme of the Alpine nal and local water-related problems such as Conference for 2005 - 2010", adopted in water scarcity due to snow making in winter or

6 Waterbalance in the Alps low water levels left due to the use of hydropo­ can basically be rectified by improving local wer are issues for sound local or regional water water management. resources management. - A structural problem for the whole Alpine region was not determined. The report also indicates that further invest­ - The Alpine countries will have to commit them­ ments in the protection against natural hazards selves substantially over the next years to miti­ are indispensable. The Flood Management gate the impacts to date on water bodies and Directive of the EU and its requirements should their surroundings and develop them according be implemented without delay in the Alpine regi­ to nature conservation requirements. on and elsewhere. In the process nature conser­ - A special challenge in this respect will be the vation and biodiversity concerns have to be measures required to adapt to the impacts of taken into account. Moreover, an increasing climate change. emphasis has to be placed on prevention. The Alpine Convention has already helped to Many of these aspects have already been reali­ make substantial headway. However, now we sed in Bavaria: our flood management policy must not relent in our efforts for the Alpine regi­ focuses on: on. - natural retention - technical flood protection and In this context I am particularly thinking for - flood prevention. example of setting up a platform for the exchan­ ge of best practice examples. Working groups One look at the legal framework set out in the such as PLANALP (Platform on Natural Hazards Report on the Status of the Alps indicates that in the Alps) or EU INTEREG IVb projects such the legal basis is adequate. Supplementary as AdaptAlp contribute considerably to making domestic law provisions would not be desirable the wealth of experience of some Member and could even be counterproductive. States universally available, but it would serve everyone well if there were an even better In particular the EU Water Framework Directive opportunity to share best practice examples by in conjunction with the EU Flood Management organising exchanges of experts or excursions. Directive can be seen as a universally applicable instrument in this respect as it not only establis­ The draft Report on the State of the Alps on hes the up-stream - down-stream context, for Water Issues and the results obtained so far will example for the large trans-Alpine river systems be further discussed in this document. of Rhône, Rhine and Danube, but it also calls for measures with clearly defined time frames. I hope that this will help to implement a sustaina­ ble management of water resources in the near Conclusion and perspective future in line with practical considerations. The following conclusion can be drawn: Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you every success - Regional problems of the Alpine water regime in your efforts.

Introduction 7 Report on the State of the Alps - Background and Objectives Fritz Holzwarth, Germany Water Director, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety

Dear reader, the Alpine countries to draw up the Report on the State of the Alps. The group of experts was The Report on the State of the Alps on Water very committed and submitted a report which shows that we have already achieved a great forms an outstanding basis for our future work deal regarding water management in the Alpine and a solid foundation to draw conclusions for region. However, we must not underestimate the the ministerial conference in Evian. The challen­ problems we are still facing. I am pleased that ge is obvious, as mitigation takes place in the we have the opportunity here in Munich today to energy and transport sectors while adaptation talk about the report in detail. measures are taken in the area of water and We are discussing water management issues of land use. the Alps and the conclusions which can be Mitigation requires a global regime, but there are drawn for our future work. In my opinion, the opportunities for undertaking mitigation measu­ report clearly illustrates that a water protocol is res in the Alpine region as well. Adaptation not the adequate answer to the problems we requires a regional or even local approach. must solve. Water and land use are central issues with We should instead be concerned with how we regard to the adaptation of the Alpine region to can achieve efficient and integrated water mana­ climate change. They have to be addressed with gement in the Alpine region, also with a view to a cross-sectoral approach which is more than the ministerial conference in Evian in March just political intent. 2009. In future we will not be able to avoid the follo­ I welcome that the group of experts succeeded wing problems, and the solutions will neither be in bringing together all important experts from simple nor swift: - Climate change: How will we develop an adap­ tation strategy for the Alps regarding both water management and other sectors? - Hydromorphological changes, in particular regarding hydropower: How can we harmonise

energy production and CO2 reduction with eco­ logical aspects such as the protection of biodi­ versity and ecosystems, the continuity of rivers or securing a minimum water flow? How will we deal with the topic of hydro peaking? What can we do to further develop hydropower in a way that is environmentally sound in every respect?

8 Waterbalance in the Alps - Snow making equipment: How will we deal with With the Alpine Convention as a multilateral fra­ the construction of water reservoirs for the pro­ mework for our cooperation we are in a rather duction of artificial snow without challenging favourable position compared with other regions the opportunities this entails for economic in the world, e.g. the Himalayas. We should development? make use of this instrument and continue to deal - Other potential topics are diffuse discharges in intensively with the topic of water under the the Alpine region or the biodiversity of water Slovenian Presidency of the Alpine Convention. bodies and areas directly connected to water. I am looking forward to constructive discussions; To sum up: we already have a very good report. and as Max Frisch once said: Our task today is to extensively discuss this "A crisis is a productive time. It just has to be report. In an additional meeting, the group of cleansed of the taint of a catastrophe." experts will incorporate the results of our discus­ sions into the report which will then be forwar­ ded to the Permanent Committee of the Alpine Convention.

With the Report on the State of the Alps on Water we have completed the task given to us by our ministers at the last Alpine Conference in Alpbach in 2006. We can affirm that the topic of water will continue to play an important role in the Alpine region in future. Our aim must be to answer the question of how we can adequately deal with this topic within the framework of the Alpine Convention in future and work on prac­ tical solutions.

Introduction 9 SECTION 1

The Alpine Convention as a Framework for Action in the Water Sector - The Water Tower of Europe Regula Imhof Vice Secretary-General, Alpine Convention

The Alps contribute a disproportional high share through increased pressures (like artificial lakes of water compared to the catchments area, and related skiing infrastructures), including which is fed into large European river systems, increased water and energy demand for artificial therefore the Alps as a consequence are charac­ snow production. terized as "The Water Tower of Europe". By way of conclusion, it can be recommended to Climate Change and ever growing pressures quantify the effects of climate change on water caused by man are increasingly threatening the management issues in more detail, to adapt ecological functioning of watercourses. Having a interregional models to the high diversity of con­ look at the entire Alpine region, the major water ditions in the different regions within the Alpine management issues and efforts, which are sha­ perimeter and in particular to translate foreca­ red by all alpine countries, include the overriding sted changes of temperature and precipitation need to adapt to the consequences of climate into hydrological parameters (e.g. river flows) for change in spite of all efforts to mitigate the cau­ the entire network of surface waters and finally ses of the ongoing change. Forecasted changes and trans-boundary cooperation of the scientific may increase periodical problems with droughts community on ongoing efforts and involvement and water scarcity - in particular in the southern of the whole water management sector should and south eastern parts of the alpine range ­ be further enhanced. which may require enhanced efforts in the Against this background and under climate management of water quantity and paying atten­ change sound water management is one of the tion to downstream needs and finally impact objectives of the Alpine Convention laid down in water availability due to changing runoff from its Article 2(2). A number of protocols in force glaciers and snow-cover and have an impact already address water-related issues. Water is also mentioned as one of the topics in the Multi­ annual Work Programme of the Alpine Conference. A specific initiative was initiated in 2006 in form of international conferences ("The Water Balance in the Alps", Innsbruck October 2006, Munich October 2008). Finally, water as a crosscutting issue is of relevance in relation to the Action Plan of the Alpine Convention on cli­ mate change. Water and changing water cycle under Climate Change is definitely a key issue to address for sustainable development in the “Hutterer See” Reservoir, Austria Alps.

10 Waterbalance in the Alps The Alps, the Water Tower of Europe - Water Resources and Drivers

Water Quality and Water Monitoring Network William Bouffard, France Agence de l‘Eau Rhone-Midi-Corse

Water monitoring networks cover numerous dule. They are confronted with seasonal polluti­ parameters on peaks at times when water levels are low in Water policy requires networks that monitor the receiving water bodies. water quality as well as water quantity. By now, Quality-related limit values for the discharge of every country within the range of the Alpine sewage treatment plants are established depen­ Convention has networks in place to monitor ding on how sensitive the receiving water bodies surface water bodies as well as ground water. are. Stricter requirements are therefore imposed Each country has determined the density of its in the catchment areas of Alpine lakes or for tri­ monitoring network on the basis of national butaries classified as sensitive areas with the requirements and selected from the existing ensuing obligation to have tertiary treatment in monitoring stations: place (nutrient removal in most cases, disinfec­ - the most representative sites in terms of quality tion in some). or of quantity, Finally, some valleys which experience intensive - those most appropriate to allow the monitoring industrial development are required to take spe­ of existing or future pollution and water capture cific measures in order to eliminate residual toxic with an impact on the parameters under inve­ pollutions. stigation. It is worth mentioning the relative importance of These tools allow the following step-by-step individual sewage treatment in the Alps, which approach: diagnostics, identification of corrective concerns around 20% of the population. This measures if necessary, monitoring of how the rate is technically justified given the topography parameters under investigation evolve. The map and the dispersion of homes. Although moderni­ shows varying degrees of network density, which sation of individual installations is under way in reflect the choices made by each country or else most countries, this goal has yet to be fully concerns about urbanisation. achieved. There are not only concerns about the type of these individual installations, but also Point-source pollutions have been tackled first Point sources of pollution linked either to local communities or to industrial sites have given rise to important investments in sewage collection and treatment as required by legislation, in parti­ cular the European directives. Still, not all facili­ ties have been completed or they do not always allow to attain the necessary degree of treat­ ment. Ski resorts, for example, are behind sche­

Section 1: The Alps, the Water Tower of Europe - Water Resources and Drivers 11 about their maintenance. preventive action, i.e. to establish water protec­ tion zones, and to use disinfection systems Diffuse sources of pollution remain a minor which are adapted to the specific requirements problem of the mountains. Although the Alps are very sensitive to diffuse In their great majority, surface water bodies, in pollution, they do not seem to be frequently particular lakes, are hardly affected by eutrophi­ affected by this type of pollution. The extensive cation. This situation is in part due to considera­ nature of agriculture explains this situation in ble investment in nutrient removal (sewage part. However, preventive policy measures are collecting systems, high-performance sewage always justified. For that reason, awareness-rai­ treatment plants). The trophic state of the lakes sing campaigns aiming at improving agricultural is thus protected against the impact from urban practices or at increasing the population's vigi­ development on their shores. It can even be said lance are conducted in several regions. that in certain cases quality has been restored over the last decades. The current level of quality of surface water For groundwater the impact of anthropogenic and groundwater is a major asset. pollution is more persistent; groundwater bodies Despite their intrinsic sensitivity, alpine water which are fed by water from farmland have signi­ resources are still in excellent condition in gene­ ficant nitrate contents even if these are still ral. As all other natural water bodies, they pre­ under the drinking water norm of 50mg/l. The sent a very large variety of composition, primari­ process of quality restoration has been initiated ly for geological reasons. for these groundwater bodies, but it is a slow In terms of drinking water quality, some rare process. exceptions exist where the chemical composition does not satisfy the relevant norms (e.g. becau­ In conclusion, it can be said that alpine water se of a high sulphate content). Due to the large resources are an asset of rare quality. They number of (often individual) supply systems, justify the continuation and locally also the monitoring the bacteriological quality is a highly strengthening of preservation policies. They complex endeavour. Hence the necessity to take require vigilance from stakeholders but also from every single citizen.

12 Waterbalance in the Alps Water Quantity in the Alps Pietro Colonna, Italy Ministero dell’ Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare

Water quantity constitutes one of the influencing expected intervention can be synthesised into a factors determining the ecological status of the better management of the available resource. Alpine rivers. Reservoirs and lakes inside the Alpine perimeter The most prominent phenomena regarding alte­ play a primary role as storing and balancing ele­ rations of the flow regime in alpine regions are ments in the water cycle of the whole river basin. on one hand too less residual water and hence Reservoirs and regulated lakes can provide not achieving minimum standards for the "ecolo­ water in periods when the natural flow conditions gical flow" in river stretches due to water would not meet the anthropogenic water abstraction, and on the other hand "hydro-pea­ demand and, at a shorter time scale, their func­ king" caused by a sudden discharge of water. tion for flood retention is of particular impor­ Both play an important role in restoring and tance. Their main impact on the water cycle is obtaining ecological conditions of the aquatic the storage of water, thereby influencing the environment. Especially in alpine regions, too natural flow conditions of rivers on one hand little residual flow downstream of abstraction (balancing and straightening the naturally given sites together with hydro-peaking is - beside strong runoff fluctuations in time) and serving dif­ morphological deficits - recognized as a major ferent forms of water demand on the other. challenge for water management in order to Innovative solutions, mitigating ecologic effects achieve the objectives of the legal framework in of alterations of the flow regime (sufficient resi­ place. dual flow, artificial flooding, attenuating basins Conditions like drought and the lack of water, against hydro-peaking, definition of ecological that climate change is aggravating, can exacer­ less valuable areas with stronger exploitation bate the above mentioned phenomena. Within and determination of ecologically very valuable the Alpine Convention Area droughts and water areas without exploitation etc.) are suggested. scarcity are not perceived as a major issue, To sum up both economic and ecologic parties, were only occasionally experienced during the procedures focusing on weighing of interests are summer period within the mountainous region in indispensable and should strive for optimized recent exceptionally dry years from 2003 to trade-offs, where both concerns are considered. 2007, and with little extent, small areas across the entire Alpine area. The economic conse­ quences of water scarcity are limited in their extent if only the Alpine area is considered, but they assume entirely different proportions if the river basin is considered as a whole. Action to contrast water scarcity situations were activate by individual member states. Common lines of

Section 1: The Alps, the Water Tower of Europe - Water Resources and Drivers 13 Position on Socio-Economic Aspects and Water Tower Functions of the Alps Thomas Egger, EUROMONTANA

Water is one of the few natural resources of the paid. The principles of the Alpine Convention are Alps. The Alps produce high quality drinking therefore not respected. water and high quality energy for the whole of Europe. The Alpine Convention requests in The report on the state of the Alps has integra­ article 11 of the protocol on spatial planning and ted a chapter on the economic effects of water. article 11 of the protocol on energy that the Unfortunately, it did not address the topics men­ users of alpine resources have to pay the right tioned above and must therefore be amended. prices for the use of those resources. An over­ The amended report could then serve as a star­ view shows, that these principles are actually ting point for an alpine wide discussion on pay­ not respected in most alpine countries. Only ing the right price for the use of water to the Switzerland has a politically negotiated water fee benefit of the population and public authorities in of around 50 Euros per kW installed brut power. the alpine arc. Also in France, Bavaria and Italy hydropower plants have to pay a price for the use of water, but this is substantially inferior to the Swiss water fee. Austria and Slovenia do not foresee a remuneration for the use of water for hydropo­ wer generation. In Switzerland, the revenue from the water fee goes to the Cantons and the muni­ cipalities and constitutes a substantial part of income for those authorities, which can go up to around 90% on municipal level. If the remunera­ tion-situation is not satisfactory for the use of water as energy supply, it is even worse for drin­ king water. From concrete cases it is known, that sometimes no price for the use of this water is

14 Waterbalance in the Alps Climate Change and Protection against Natural Hazards in the Alpine Perimeter SECTION 2

Climate Change and Protection against Natural Hazards Peter Frei, Germany Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Public Health

All states of the Alpine area are suffering from September, 2007 caused six deaths and dama­ the extreme consequences of natural events. ge of about 220 million euros. Hence, in the These include floods, debris flows, mass move­ member states of the Alpine Convention sub­ ments, rock fall and avalanches. Furthermore, stantial investment programs were implemented storms and earthquakes as well as the thawing by the governments for the protection from natu­ permafrost pose an additional threat for certain ral hazards. Thus, Austria invests between 220 alpine areas. Since the settlement of the Alpine and 280 (2007) millions Euros yearly, Germany area, natural events have been recurring in sta­ 42, Italy 500, Lichtenstein 4, Slovenia 12 and tistically regular periods. Hence, the local autho­ Switzerland 400 million euros. In proportion to rity districts, regions and nation states began the area of the Alpine Space that lies in each early with constructions of protective measures state, the member states jointly invest about in the Alpine area. A large part of the protective 1.25 billion Euros per year (this sum does not facilities already shows a respectable age and yet include the investments in France) for pro­ needs expensive renovation work during the tective measures against water-related natural next years. hazards in the Alpine area. The expenditures of the different nations differ with regard to the Systematic surveys of the number of the natural tasks and activities they finance. events only took place in recent times. The stati­ stical information coming from insurance compa­ In addition, the new protective measures against nies shows a rising number of the natural flooding take into account the requirements of events. The increase of the events is pulled the European Water Framework Directive and together with the climate change. The vulnerabi­ the Fauna-Flora-Habitat-Directive as well as lity of human society and the associated assets showing a general move towards giving the in the Alpine space is decisive for the increase in damage. Thus, in the settled area, the num­ ber of the infrastructure facilities and the use of the Alpine area have increased during the last 100 to 150 years. The extent of the protective constructions for bodies of water has also increased considerably.

The flood event 2005 in Switzerland caused six casualties and the damage sum amounted to 2 billion euros, in Austria 700 million euros and Brienz 2005, Switzerland the regional flooding event in Slovenia in

Section 2: Climate Change and Protection against Natural Hazards in the Alpine Perimeter 1515 rivers more space by restoring the floodplains in Alpine Convention (PLANALP). The common areas with no settlements. purpose is the installation of risk maps, improved During the last years, the member states of the regional land use planning and the residual risk Alpine Convention developed similar action discussion as well as risk communication for the models for the threat of natural hazards on the purpose of transparency for representatives of national level. The RISK CYCLE of Switzerland society. shows this very clearly.

In former years the local protection from natural Risk Cycle of Switzerland hazards was in the foreground, whereas today the focus is on an integral risk management. This includes surveying all danger areas and visualising them in maps. Austria, Switzerland and Italy have already provided danger zone plans for large parts of the Alpine area. There is a huge demand for building space in some parts of the Alpine area. With the help of such maps, planning permission for settlements or infrastruc­ ture can be granted under the condition that additional requirements are fulfilled. Thereby, it Source: The Federal Office for is known to all states that sustainable protection Civil Protection of the settlements and the assets is not achieva­ The cycle of integrated risk management: an integrated risk mana­ ble with protective measures alone. In accordan­ gement assumes that all types of measures for natural disaster reduction are considered. Generally, measures of preparedness, ce with the EU Directive on Assessment and response and recovery (reconstruction) should be equally imple­ mented. Management of Flood Risks, risk maps will be provided and the especially important flood management plans prepared for the event of flooding.

For protection from natural hazards, continuous state and municipal investments for new protec­ tive constructions and the renovation of existing protective constructions are necessary at a high level. In addition, sufficient retention space and over-loadable constructions are essential. Most important for the future is natural hazards pre­ vention. Therefore, the member states have agreed to harmonise their efforts within the scope of the platform natural hazards of the

16 Waterbalance in the Alps Findings and Consequences of the Protection Concept against Natural Hazards Andreas Götz, Switzerland PLANALP (Platform of Natural Hazard in the Alps), Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland

Safety is one of man's most basic needs and a not be procvided at an acceptable cost. In view central precondition of a society's well-beeing. of climate change phenomena it is mandatory The same is true of the protection of human life for any mitigation plan to consider overload of and important material assets against natural protection structures. Thus more retention and hazards such as floods, landslides and avalan­ flood areas must be created which also benefit ches. biodiversity.

Todays problems - Intense land use and increasing economic value in endangered areas - Increasing vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure - Missing space for large scale events - Climate change (increasing frequency and intensity of events) - Shortage of financial resources

Targets and trends Ignoring risk costs more!

New approach - Integrated risk management Instead of fighting the hazards we would do well simply to avoid them where possible. This may also mean abandoning existing buildings or infrastructure at risk if adequate protection can-

Section 2: Climate Change and Protection against Natural Hazards in the Alpine Perimeter 17 Climate Change and Protection against Natural Hazards - Example of Switzerland Thomas Nievergelt, Switzerland Mind of the Community of Samedan

1. High mountain ranges are particularly affected by climate change. 2. The existing risk potential is underestimated by the public. 3. Protection projects must be developed in a bottom-up approach. 4. All stakeholders have to be involved from the very outset. 5. Ecological aspects can be incorporated to the extent to which the overriding safety require­ ment is observed. 6. The necessity of a speedy implementation of protection projects is often counteracted by basic premises of a constitutional state. 7. Cantons and the Federation can support eco­ logical projects with a targeted allocation of funds. The necessary instruments are in place. The old Flaz after renaturation 8. Acceptance is slowly growing.

Realization of the project

18 Waterbalance in the Alps River Morphology and Continuity of the Water Bodies in the Alps SECTION 3

Pressures and Impacts on Water Bodies in the Alps Martin Pfaundler, Switzerland Water Management Section, Federal Office for the Environment

Water quality, the water flow regime and the impacts, assessments of the ecomorphologi­ space & morphology are the three abiotic influ­ cal status of rivers have been widely applied encing factors determining the habitat conditions and had to be reported by the EU member sta­ of a water course. The ecological status of a wa­ tes within the frame of the article 5 analysis of ter body is the result of the interplay of these the EU Water Framework Directive. As an exam­ factors together with the biologic characteristics. ple of such assessments, figure 1 shows the re­ This presentation focuses on the space and sults for Switzerland. It is however necessary to morphology aspect, i.e. on pressures and impac­ look at the numbers with a differentiated view. ts with respect to river morphology and continui­ Above all watercourses in the lower, intensively ty. utilized altitude zones are strongly impacted with In the whole Alpine area rivers were extensively 50 % of the water courses below 600 m asl sho­ modified during the last 150 years. As pressu­ wing insufficient structural diversity. With increa­ res on the river space and structure are to men­ sing altitude the figures decrease: Between 600­ tion: flood protection and land reclamation works 1200 m 26 %, between 1200-2000 m still 11 % as well as other intensive land uses like agricul­ and above 2000 m 2 % are classified as eco­ ture, settlement and industrial areas, roads and morphologically inadequate. In the mountainous railways, hydropower installations with dams and areas it is in particular the main rivers at the bot­ weirs. tom of the valleys that are characterized by a Along with these measures came an enormous poor ecomorphological status. social-economic development in most of the val­ ley floors in the Alps. The price to pay were impacts like limited space left for the river sys­ tems resulting in poor morphologic conditions and monotonous structures. This in consequen­ ce led to loss or impairment of habitats and rela­ ted effects on biodiversity. Further, alluvial plains and tributaries got disconnected and structural barriers are forming obstacles for longitudinal fish migration. Hydraulic works like channeling Figure 1: Ecomorphological status of Swiss rivers; extrapo­ affected the sediment transport which led to ero­ lation on the basis of data available until 2005 sion and river bed deepening. This in turn Besides structural conditions also migration bar­ impacted the exchange with groundwater and riers have been recorded with a special focus on resulted in some instances in descending gro­ height gaps > 50 cm. A key finding is that most undwater levels. of these artificial barriers are located in the altitu­ To provide information on the extent of these de zone 600-1200 m asl. Main reason is that in

Section 3: River Morphology and Continuity of the Water Bodies in the Alps 19 this zone both there are numerous goods and Also in Switzerland the need to improve the mor­ uses to be protected and the prevailing slope phological conditions is widely recognized and requires barriers as stabilization measure. since around two decades when these concerns Similar unfavorable results have been reported have been enacted in federal laws also steadily by other Alpine states. implemented. It is however deemed that these Since two-three decades already the drawbacks revitalization works make a too slow progress. and deficits of past developments are acknow­ As a consequence there are ongoing political ledged and legal regulations are in place and initiatives to regulate revitalization more explicitly projects for river restoration are implemented. on the legal level and to establish financing solu­ Remediation comprises measures like revita­ tions. lization works, reconstruction of the longitudinal The alpine countries have now already gained and lateral connectivity (with fish ladders, buil­ quite some experiences with the above mentio­ ding cross-sills as ramps that are passable for ned restoration practices, the pioneering phase fish, by-pass water courses, re-connection of of river revitalization is already behind us. There lateral tributaries). In order to restore hydromor­ are both in the EU-countries as well as in phological processes space is given back to Switzerland the necessary legal frames in place rivers mostly with local river widenings, applying or under preparation in order to accelerate the biological engineering methods and enhancing process of river restoration. It is however clear sediment transport as well as ecologically orien­ that it will take more than a generation to restore ted river maintenance works. what has been the result of the former three-four Revitalization works are carried out above all in generations and that along with the (desirable) connection with flood protection measures. irreversible socio-economic developments of the Sufficient space is crucial and often also the past there are evidently also some irreversible bottleneck for such initiatives. In Switzerland for restrictions and other partly overriding interests example adequate space for rivers (both for (e.g. flood safety for settlement areas) at stake. flood protection purposes and for ecological con­ Many of the big flood training works of the past cerns) has to be safeguarded by means of land come to the end of their life-cycle and need re­ use planning instruments. storation or adaptation in the coming decades. In recent years many research projects have This will offer opportunities to integrate ecologi­ been carried out to provide the scientific basis cal concerns. The necessity to respect river mor­ for restoration projects (e.g. the Interreg pro­ phology and continuity is today unanimous opini­ gramme "River basin agenda" => www.flussrau­ on of the experts and has changed the admini­ magenda.de, or the Rhone-Thur research pro­ strative practice. Flood protection measures are ject => www.rivermanagement.ch). coupled where always possible with river expan­ The EU-member states of the Alpine Convention sions, re-establishment of the continuity to allow have to establish measure programmes in order migration and the improvement of the river habi­ to reach the good ecological status or the good tat structures. For more details please consult ecological potential by 2015 which implies also "Draft report RSA II" chapter B.2.4 River mor­ hydromorphological measures. phology and Continuity

20 Waterbalance in the Alps Position an Comments of WWF Italy Nicoletta Toniutti, Italy WWF Italy

Human well-being and development depend on It's unquestionable that to date biophysical varia­ ecosystem goods and services. Alpine freshwa­ bles have received less attention as casual fac­ ters are crucial in this respect as they drive criti­ tors in spite of the fact that researches identify cal processes and functions in wetlands, grass­ the casual links between ecosystem processes lands, croplands, forests beyond goods and and ecosystem services and their dependence energy production, at the advantage of down­ on biodiversity. While habitat degradation and stream communities and the many tourists which fragmentation is recognized among the scientific every year come to the Alps. community to be a key driver of biodiversity and However human induced environmental chan­ ecosystem services loss, still the value of ecosy­ ges, from the local to the global scale, have stem services provided by nature is not counted, serious impacts on water flows and on eco­ in spite of the many functions that play a vital systems while the impacts of climate change role for the human society. The consequence is come on top of other pressures that have alrea­ that our incomplete understanding of complex dy reduced the natural ability of the ecosystems ecosystem processes is one of the main causes to adjust and absorb disturbances. why connectivity loss and hydro-morphological alterations have become part of our usual and accepted horizon. Therefore restoration and improved manage­ ment of natural resources are quoted by the scientific community to be urgent and essential to reverse the process of degradation and frag­ mentation and to decrease social vulnerability to natural phenomena. There is a growing need for a wiser, more adaptive approach to manage­ ment of ecosystems and water flows especially in light of climate change. The crucial challenge now is to improve our ability to actively co-mana­ ge water and water-dependent ecosystems so that both social and ecological resilience, and thus sustainable development, is achieved. Moreover, all Alpine countries have ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Alpine Convention, the concept of "ecological network" is relevant to the Pan-European Tagliamento northern Ragogna, Italy Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy and

Section 3: River Morphology and Continuity of the Water Bodies in the Alps 21 the EU has already in place Directives and The Tagliamento in North-East Italy, considered financial instruments which having restoration at as the last morphologically intact river in the their core can enhance the rivers' hydro-morpho­ Alps, is one from which to start. logy, their connectivity and their incorporation into sustainable spatial planning and land use management. It is now urgent to make that hap­ pen, above all for those Alpine water bodies which can still be recognized as living systems.

Opinion on the Results of the RSA II Prof. Leopold Füreder, Austria International Scientific Committee on Research in the Alps (ISCAR)

Water is involved in all essential components of waters in the Alps, quality issues, hydromorpho­ the Alpine Region, has an important climatic, logy of surface waters, quantitative aspects of geomorphic, ecologic and economic role, often waters and water value, water conflicts, protec­ resulting in conflicting views and strategies in tion against natural hazards, water under climate management, use and conservation. The Report change and to provide an overview on regulati­ on the State of the Alps "Water" aimed to compi­ ons concerning waters in the states of the Alpine le and present harmonized data on the state of Convention. Significant water management issu­ es and main challenges of water management were included. The overall impression of this report is very posi­ tive as it is a comprehensive and well-balanced elaboration covering the various and important aspects of water in the Alpine countries. For the interested and concerned readers the report appears to be very informative and thorough, providing a useful document with alpine-wide background information and an important refe­ rence for further analysis and decision making. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of the report's issues and contents, gaps and shortcomings were to be expected. Although many scientific results were integrated into the report, the majo­ Guggersee, Allgäuer Alps, Germany rity of presented data in maps and tables are of

22 Waterbalance in the Alps public/governmental origin. The intention behind choosing certain case studies and not others (which in a scientific point of view would form better examples) remains unexplained. Some studies appear to be covered not in the required depth and completeness. Other aspects of scientific importance, e.g. aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity, environmental flow regulations and future challenges, aquatic conservation, are hardly covered. Consequences and questions for the future were presented, however mostly concerning management issues and lacking scientific challenges. These gaps need to be implemented into the final version of the report. Obersee at Staller Sattel, Austria

Rasass See, Italy

Section 3: River Morphology and Continuity of the Water Bodies in the Alps 23 SECTION 4

Hydropower Generation in the Alpine Perimeter Karl Schwaiger, Austria Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management

Steep slopes in combination with high precipitati­ inter alia restricted lateral connectivity of rivers, on provide perfect preconditions for hydropower the interruption of river continuity, alterations in generation within the Alpine Perimeter. More the transport of sediments, the lack of residual than 550 hydro power plants with an output of water, or hydro peaking flushing whole stretches more than 10 Megawatt and several thousands of rivers. of smaller installations have been reported to be in place. Approaches are in place, respectively are still developed further in all alpine states with the Hydro power generation is clearly a key econo­ aim of reducing these negative impacts. Fish mic asset of the Alps; apart from being a profita­ passes, dynamic residual flow oriented at ecolo­ ble, highly reliable and largely CO2 - free rene­ gical needs and efforts to limit effects of hydro wable source of energy, storage plants have an peaking are standard for new installations; important role to stabilise the European electri­ nevertheless the construction and operation of city supply against fluctuations of supply and hydro power plants will still be linked with some demand. unavoidable impacts on river stretches and wet­ lands leading to conflicts between economy and Hydro power generation has caused considera­ ecology. ble changes to the aquatic environment, due to The on going implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in EU member states with its ambitious objective to achieve "good status" for all waters and its pragmatic approach in case of exemptions (which have to be justified in detail) is considered to be a strong supporting instrument to balance these colliding interests and to contribute to sustainable development. This refers to new projects as well as to already existing facilities, where necessary upgrading and remediation will be triggered off by this directive to meet its ambitious objectives. Of particular concern are the needs to meet

forthcoming reduction targets for CO2 emissions, to meet a still growing demand for electricity and the thereof resulting increased prices for electri­ Kaprun Mooserboden Reservoir, Austria city, which act as strong drivers for further

24 Waterbalance in the Alps Hydropower Generation and Hydropeaking in the Alps 25 tionate impact on ecology. on ecology. tionate impact For more details please consult "Draft report "Draft please consult For more details II" chapter B3.4. Hydropower Generation in RSA the Alps use of the remaining potential of hydro power use of the remaining potential of loss of pristi­ generation against the irrevocable that even a full into account, ne areas taking Section 4: Hydropower Generation and Hydropeaking in the Alps Alps Section 4: Hydropower Generation and Hydropeaking in the exploitation of the hydro power potential in power potential of the hydro exploitation generati­As the potential for hydro power place. developed to a considera­on has been already electri­ increases in demand of may just cover remaining potential of the entire exploitation share of the still remai­ble extent, an important city for some years, located to areas and small ning potential is relative contribution of small assess the To - These areas and river rivers with low impacts. still are in or close to natural stretches, which to respectively micro plants hydro power plants of renewable meet the forthcoming targets more and more unique conditions, are becoming dispropor­ energies against their (sometimes) resulting from a future assess the benefits To - in the Alpine Perimeter. Alpine Perimeter. in the future seems to Thus the main challenge for the the econo­ be finding a sound balance between and the need to on one hand mic constraints to pristine condi­ preserve areas and rivers close other hand. In tions for future generations on the considered to two issues have been particular prior more detail be worthwhile to be explored in to any decision on future strategies: Position of the Organisation of Hydropower Industries Otto Pirker, Austria EURELECTRIC

The use of alpine hydro power has a very long electric energy. At the same time the European tradition and was over very long time also a Union demands an increase in renewable ener­ location-determining factor. The mechanical use gies due to the climate protection obligations. of hydro power had influence on our waters and Hydro power is due to natural resources "the had also partly characterized the alpine landsca­ renewable energy" of the alpine area. In additi­ pe. on, alpine hydro power presents itself - due to its The alpine region is poor in fossil energy sour­ flexible operation - as an ideal partner for the net ces and hydro power counts with the biomass to integration of all other renewable energies. The the most important primary energy carriers of importance especially of alpine hydro power this region. In the range of the electricity supply, plant regarding supply security increased thus in hydro power is by far the most important energy the last years strongly. To keep the current elec­ carrier. Austria for example produces approxima­ tricity supply in the alpine area maintained in the tely 60 % for its electricity from hydro power. The future, it will be important to keep the quantity percentage of Switzerland lies in the same regi­ and quality of hydro power. In order to achieve on. The economic development as well as the the renewable energy goals, the new construc­ associated prosperity of the population in the ting of hydro power plants will be necessary. alpine countries in the last years has led to the Nevertheless, the strict general conditions of the fact that the need of electric energy increased European Union Water Framework Directive further strongly. have to be considered. Today valuable regions Since 2001, Austria has changed from a net are already protected against an excessive use exporter to a net importing country concerning by national park regulations and/or protected by a strict protected area management. A goal should be it to ensure - under the given general conditions - the best ecologically and energy-economically use of hydro power.

Verbund-Danube power plant Vienna-Freudenau

26 Waterbalance in the Alps Position on Hydropower Generation and Hydropeaking Prof. Marco Vitale, Italy Council on Water Policy of the Sondrio Province (Lombardy)

Marco Vitale’s intervention illustrates the water through a good territory plan in which also the balance in the alpine province of Sondrio water problem is handled in an appropriate man­ (Valtellina), Lombardia. ner. The alpine province of Sondrio is the major But the Province is week versus the powerful Italian contributor of water for hydro-electric pro­ electricity companies. It needs the support of duction. The hydroelectric production of the pro­ international conventions and organization such vince represents 11,1 % of national hydroelectric as the Alpine Convention. production and 45,4 % of the hydroelectric pro­ duction of the Lombardia Region. 91,2 % of pro­ vince water is utilized for the 98 plants existing on the territory of the Province. Despite this very heavy over-exploitation the electric power companies are pushing for further exploitation. This creates strong opposition in the valley where a federation of many local opposition groups has been formed, and is very active. The opposition is very well founded. Further exploitation of the water of the valley will strong­ ly jeopardize the quality of life and the quality of the local Alps, with the consequence of signifi­ cant anthropological, natural, economic dama­ ges. On the other hand the full exploitation of the Small hydropower station remaining waters still free will add only and addi­ tional 0,14 % to the energy production, an abso­ lutely insignificant contribution to the country's energy needs. This additional production is however very inte­ resting for the electrical companies because the water can be stored in 58 water reserves and utilized when the electricity can be sold at higher prices. This is the reason for such strong pres­ sures despite the strong opposition of the large majority of the valley population. The Province is trying to regulate the issue

Section 4: Hydropower Generation and Hydropeaking in the Alps 27 SECTION 5

Are there Gaps in the EU Legislative Framework for Water Protection and Water Management? Helmut Blöch EU Commission, DG Environment

The EU legislative framework for water protec­ waters; tion and water management has drastically - Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention expanded since 1990, in terms of level of protec­ and Control (IPPC) 96/61/EC (now 2008/1/EC): tion, and in terms of geographical scope of appli­ obligations for a range of industrial installations cation. to have their pollution prevention and control based on best available techniques, including By 1990, on the eve of the signature of the existing industrial installations; Alpine Convention, there was very limited EU - Waste Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC: provisions legislative framework on water protection, only a on choice of location, prevention measures, limited number of elements1 not interlinked to operation and maintenance of landfills. each other and not providing comprehensive water protection. EU water management and environmental objectives legislation Since 1991, EU legislation on water protection - Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC and its has been comprehensively expanded Daughter Directives on Groundwater - emission controls addressing key sources of 2006/118/EC and on Priority Substances pollution at source, (adopted; about to be published), - protection of all waters and addressing all sour­ - Floods Directive 2007/60/EC. ces of human impacts, and - combating climate change. This expansion of EU legislation is complemen­ ted by EU legislation and global commitments by EU emission control legislation the EU on combating climate change. - Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive Further, a range of water-related Conventions 91/271/EEC: obligation for waste water treat­ under International Law and agreements have ment for all settlement areas of more than come into force for the Alpine region: 2000 inhabitants, plus provisions for the - Danube Protection Convention 1991, covering discharge of industrial waste water; all the Danube basin countries including Alpine - Directive on Nitrate Pollution from Agricultural Convention Contracting Parties Austria, Sources 91/676/EEC: obligation to address Germany and Slovenia, and Italy and nitrate pollution from agriculture, with legally Switzerland cooperating, binding measures in all areas with nitrate pro­ - New Rhine Protection Convention 1999, cover­ blems either in groundwater or in surface ing all the Rhine basin countries including

1 Protection of bathing waters (Directive 76/160/EEC), of surface waters for (Directive 78/659/EEC); discharge of certain dangerous substances drinking water abstraction (Directive 75/440/EEC), and of fish waters (Directive 76/464/EEC and Daughter Directives)

28 Waterbalance in the Alps Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? 29 s the ances ation - of citizens, ation - of citizens, andards . 2 al quality st ater Framework Directive set s of climate change); s of climate change); act atus of groundwater, at this stage for nitrates at this stage atus of groundwater, and pesticides (and the environmental quality and pesticides (and the environmental water quality objectives are identical to drinking standards), obligation to reverse such trends). of EU-wide relevance, in a range of pollutants first step for 33 substances; dards be regularly reviewed. (where the W st defines environmental quality standards for a quality standards defines environmental and guided by an unprecedented cooperation of and guided by an unprecedented NGOs, stakehol­ Commission, Member States, the ”Common ders and the scientific community, Strategy” Implementation identified; assessment of success; where necessary update Regular review and, (e.g. with a view to the will have to be done imp and consult Public information is man­ NGOs and stakeholders municipalities, management datory when developing river basin plans (and their review/update). is accompanied of the Directive Implementation - will on its list of pollutants and quality stan­ list of pollutants - will on its - defines the criteria for upward pollution trends The Daughter Directive on priority subst and environment - The Daughter Directive on Groundwater The Daughter Directive on Groundwater - for the chemical defines EU-wide objectives atus for all waters, to be achie­ orarlberg), Liechtenstein and Switzerland orarlberg), Liechtenstein http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/objectives/implementation_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/objectives/implementation_en.htm tive of good st ved as a rule by 2015 (the environmental ters and coastal waters; ters and coastal Liechtenstein cooperating within a cooperation Liechtenstein cooperating systems serve both Comprehensive monitoring basin and based on the EU covering the whole for the measures and tailoring as a basis for Framework Directive, Water (V and Graubünden). (cantons St.Gallen Alpine Convention Contracting Parties France, Parties France, Contracting Alpine Convention to address all problems sub-basin; these have and Austria and Germany and Switzerland, objectives are derived from the untouched sta­ objectives are derived from the are Alps the tus of waters in the eco-region; plus specifically mentioned as one eco-region); status; prohibition of deterioration of water water related protected areas (for drinking abstraction, nature protection, nutrient-sensitive areas); coordination within shared river basins - defi­ ned as ”must” for/with EU countries, defined as ”endeavour” for cooperation/coordination with non-EU countries; - setting a legally binding environmental objec­ - setting a legally binding environmental The Water Framework Directive has drastical­ Framework The Water : water protection ly expanded - - rivers, lakes, groundwa­ protecting all waters without exception; - covering all human impacts - Austria covering Agreement 1995, Rhine Alpine - measures for water­ plus additional protection quality is defined in a holistic and type­ Water specific way based on ecological criteria, with pro­ specific obligations to address the particular blems and challenges of the (eco)region; River basin management plans as the operatio­ nal tool, to be coordinated across the river basin/ - committing countries to full cooperation and Section 5: Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? Protocol for the Section 5: Legal Framework: Do we need a Water 2 Expansion of geographical scope of applica­ in place; tion of EU legislation - Addressing and solving the water-related chal­ Beyond the comprehensive expansion of the lenges and problems of the Alpine region is level of protection, its geographical scope of under the EU legislation not just a possibility … application is of crucial importance for the Alpine … it is an obligation - including all specific region, and the commitment by Alpine countries regional challenges such as those of the Alpine under the Alpine Convention to preserve or re­ region; implementation must be based on holi­ establish healthy water systems (article 2 of the stic criteria, and embedded in a transparent Convention). The scope of application expanded and participatory process. Conflicting aspirati­ by enlargement of the EU to Austria and ons and interests, such as small hydropower Slovenia, as well as adoption of EU water legis­ plants vs. ecological status and non-deteriorati­ lation by EFTA countries Liechtenstein, Norway on, will be a joint challenge. and Iceland through the European Economic - The European Commission will continue to Area Agreement. scrutinise implementation, and where neces­ sary take action. Conclusions - Water Framework Directive and related EU The necessary legislative and management legislation are ambitious, legally binding and instruments are in place, and we all need to take enforceable; efforts to use and implement them. - Their legislative framework applies to the whole In the European Commission's opinion there is Alpine region with the exception of Switzerland; currently no need for additional instruments with­ for Switzerland comparable national legislation in the Alpine Convention for the protection and and comprehensive international cooperation is management of water resources.

Geographical scope of application of EU water legislation 1990 and 2008

30 Waterbalance in the Alps Comparison of the Legal Framework in the Alps Marco Onida Secretary-General, Alpine Convention

1. Introduction: general remarks on the WFD Although the introduction of such a holistic Community water legislation is about 30 years approach was justified by the need to rationalise old. It developed in two directions: the setting of the existing and not fully consistent set of rules, emission limit values for certain pollutants this rationalisation has also entailed a clear (discharges) and of quality standards. In both renationalisation and a regionalisation of the pro­ cases water was seen not as a whole environ­ tection rules. Although a set of "minimum stan­ mental media but only specific water uses were dards" are laid down in the Directive and its considered (bathing, drinking, fishing, surface, Annexes, the objective of the Directive is clearly groundwater, waste water). The reasons which not to achieve a harmonised level of protection triggered the adoption of such specific pieces of across the EU. The determination of the "good legislation were predominantly economic (equal ecological status" will largely depend upon conditions of competition). assessment carried out at river basin level. The adoption in the year 2000 of a "Water Framework Directive" (WFD) marked a radical The often undetermined terminology leaves in change of approach. Water, under the WFD, is fact considerable leeway for interpretation. This regarded as a "whole" environmental media and terminology is partly the result of a very difficult water management pursues the objective of and complex negotiation process, which lasted ensuring an integrated protection, where not about 4 years. For example, in the original pro­ only the waters but also the connected ecosy­ posal from the Commission Article 4 consisted of stems are targeted. The WFD aims at the achie­ 14 paragraphs. In the finally adopted version, vement of the good ecological status of water, Article 4 contains 49 paragraphs. including groundwater, by 2015, and it is largely based on the concept of river basin manage­ Also, the Commission proposal was considerab­ ment. The WFD is "revolutionary" in the sense ly stricter: under Article 4, requesting the achie­ that it delegates tasks and competences to the vement of a good ecological status (by 2010), level of river basins. But whether it also gives less stringent environmental standards where the concerned regions the necessary instru­ only possible for water bodies in limited areas ments to correctly conceive and apply the requi­ severely affected by human activities and where red measures at river basin level is much less improvement in status are proven to be impossi­ clear. ble or prohibitively expensive. The adopted text introduces the concept of "heavily modified When assessing this legal framework with a water body" as "a body of surface water which view of the objectives of the Alpine Convention, as a result of physical alterations by human the following aspects should be considered and activity is substantially changed in character, as discussed. designated by the Member State in accordance

Section 5:Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? 31 with the provisions of Annex II". The criteria for Good implementation means in the first place designating a water body as heavily modified that the Directive must be timely and correctly leave the Member States considerable leeway. It transposed into national legislation and then that is quite clear that this will lead to diverging inter­ it must be correctly applied, including at local pretations. Similarly, Member States are consi­ level. dered not to be in breach of the WFD when, inter alia, failure to prevent deterioration from - How timely and well has the WFD so far been high status to good status of a body of surface transposed in national legislation? water is the result of "new sustainable human development activities". It will be quite difficult to As regards the time issue, on 22 March 2003 interpret this provision and to prove before a the Commission has written the following4: Court that this provision has been breached. most EU 15 Member States had not transpo- sed the Directive as required. Infringement pro­ Other issues for which Member States interpre­ cedures were started in 2004 against 3 of the 5 tation will play a decisive role relate to the mea­ EU Member States of the Alpine Convention5. surements, reporting and monitoring require­ As regards the quality of the transposition, the ments, which are nevertheless key aspects of Commission declared in the same report that environmental legislation. only three Member States appear to have an overall satisfactory transposition (Austria, Malta 2. First assessment of the WFD and Portugal), although this has to be verified At this stage, it is still too early to draw assess­ in a more in-depth analysis. Overall, the Com­ ments on the WFD, as several deadlines have mission sees that it is possible to implement not expired yet. No case has reached the Court the Directive within the set deadlines, that the stage yet and there is still uncertainty on how implementation of Art. 3 provisions is largely certain provisions will be interpreted. satisfactory and that Art. 5 reports provide a good starting point for preparing river basin It is however clear that the way the Directive management plan. However, there are a num- will be implemented will be decisive for its ber of significant shortcomings in the imple- success. mentation. In particular, the legal transposition 35 years EC environmental law show that of a of the Directive into national law is poor and in "framework Directive" can be a good opportunity many cases inadequate…..All Member States, for those who follow an active approach, as it no matter how advanced in the implementation, allows for greater flexibility, but also a pit fall as, will have to make additional and significant if the good will to actively promote the imple­ efforts to meet the ambitions of the WFD and mentation is missing, there is little that enforcers deliver on the river basin management plans. and Courts, including the European Court of In the coming years it will be essential to Justice, will be able to do. address these shortcomings in order to achieve

4 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the 5 On 15 December 2005 and 12 January 2006 the European Court of Council, "Towards Sustainable Water Management in the European Union", Justice ruled respectively against Germany and Italy for the delay in transpo­ First stage in the implementation of the WFD - COM (2007) 362 sing the WFD.

32 Waterbalance in the Alps the WFD objectives. tus"). The wording is different for protected Currently, investigations are carried out by the areas ("achieve compliance"), where an obliga­ Commission on the compliance with Art 5 (too tion of result is clearly set out. Similar problems narrow interpretation of "water services", two arise in relation to the economic analysis fore­ Alpine Convention States). Non conformity seen under Article 9. investigations are open in relation to four out of the five EU Alpine States. - Finally, it is to be underlined that the WFD covers more policy areas than water: in order - Practical application to achieve a successful implementation water policy has to be integrated in other policies, The first complaints on the application of Art. such as spatial planning, agriculture, nature, 4(1) and 4(7) are also being received by the product policy. This requires integration also Commission and registered. The question is within the national responsible administrations. whether the COM will be able to prove possible breaches of these provisions. 3. The ALPS and the WFD A correctly implemented and applied WFD in the A Concrete example: how to prove that a pro­ Alpine area can probably constitute a good basis ject breaches Article 4(7)? for water management in such area. However, Is this applicable now (art 10 EC Treaty and not all alpine-specific problems are covered by related case-law) or must we wait until 2015? the WFD. The situation is similar to the one of Article 6(3) of "habitats" Directive (92/43/EC): but for the Indeed, the WFD does not explicitly take the habitat Directive it is much easier to assess Alps into consideration. This can be conside­ and prove that a project has a negative impact red logical, as the Directive is a "framework" and on a site, as SCIs and SPAs have been defi­ largely relies on measures taken at the level of ned on the basis of very precise scientific crite­ river basins. However, some consideration for ria. For water the assessment of "good status" particular geographical areas is to be found in is much more complex. The analysis pursuant the Directive: preamble 17 reminds that "an to Article 5 will be crucial, as they will be the effective and coherent water policy must take "benchmark" for the use of Article 4(7). account of the vulnerability of aquatic ecosy- stems located near the coast and estuaries or in More generally, the possibility to control the gulfs or relatively closed seas, as their equilibri- implementation of the WFD depends largely on um is strongly influenced by the quality of inland whether the Directive contains obligations of waters flowing into them. Protection of water sta- result or obligations to perform the best of tus within river basins will provide economic one's abilities. For example, referring to Article benefits by contributing towards the protection of 4, in the case of surface and groundwater this fish populations, including coastal fish populati- is controversial ("implement the necessary ons". measures with a view of achieving good sta­ It can be argued that a similar consideration,

Section 5: Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? 33 though for other reasons, should have been of water present in water bodies (or glaciers) given to the Alps, "water tower of Europe". may lead to deterioration of water quality. Although in fact coastal waters, located at the - Artificial snow production (relevant under end of the water cycle, undergo a high risk of Art. 14(2) of the tourism protocol and Art. 14 of contamination, particularly due to the gradual the soil protection protocol of the Alpine Con­ immission of pollutants along the water courses, vention) mountain areas have also specificities which deserve being addressed by way of specific instruments or policies: geology, climate, density of population in valleys, agricultural land use, the effects of tourism are the main issues at stake.

Alpine specific issues currently not covered by the WFD are: - Quantitative aspects (including the problem of glacier melting and of strategic water resources - karst water). Preamble 19 of the WFD states that Control of quantity is an ancillary element in securing good water quality and therefore measures on quantity, serving the objective of ensuring good quality, should also be establis- hed. Until now, no such measures have been established at EC level. Apart of the unanimity requirement in Article 175(2) EC Treaty, this is likely also due to the fact that the issue of quantitative water management is considered - Climate change to fall under the realm of national policy (subsi­ diarity), as the recent discussions on the 4. Conclusions Spanish National Hydrological Plan show. The The main topics for an adequate water policy in Water scarcity communication of 18.7.076 does the Alps turn around two fundamental issues: not mention Alps nor mountain regions. The WFD does not address the issue of conflicts 1. How exhaustive the WFD is in relation to arising around water uses (ex. tourism, agricul­ Alpine specificities? ture, hydropower, habitat protection). Here the open question are quantitative aspects - Glaciers, permafrost: the mobilisation of sub­ and strategic water resources (including gla­ stances due to radical changes in the quantity ciers), the impact of typical mountain settlements

6 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council - Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union (COM (2007) 414)

34 Waterbalance in the Alps and economic activities (tourism, agriculture), in mentation across the various concerned particular under climate change conditions. Alpine areas. The Alpine Convention can cer­ 2. How the WFD will be applied at the regio­ tainly play a role in addressing the shortco­ nal and local level? mings identified by the Commission in order Several questions for interpretation of the termi­ to achieve the WFD objectives. Several opti­ nology contained in the WFD are open. The ons for achieving this objective exist and are answer to these questions will be decisive in to be discussed at the relevant political level. addressing issues such as hydropower in small watercourses/minimum vital flow, cost for the References: use of water or artificial snow production. The Marleen Van Rijswick, EC water law in transition: 2009 deadline for management plans (Art 11 of the challenge of integration, Yearbook of the WFD) is approaching, the first management European Environmental Law, Volume 3, Oxford, plans will show whether these specificities have 2003. been properly addressed. Claudia Olazabal, Community legislation on It has to be concluded that the WFD alone is not water protection; An assessment of its evolution sufficient to address timely and fully all the open and possible future, In Marco Onida (ed.) questions in the Alps. Europe and the Environment, Europa Law Publishing, Groningen 2004. The Alpine Convention, as a platform for coo­ Ludwig Krämer, EC Treaty and Environmental peration, is an ideal forum for accompanying Law. Sixth EditionChapter 7: Water Protection, the process of implementation of the WFD. Sweet and Maxwell, London, 2006 Close cooperation among Alpine States and Jan Jans, European Environmental Law, Third with the Commission would help to make Edition, Europa Law Publishing, Groningen, sure that the implementation of the WFD 2008 meets the needs of the Alpine regions and would facilitate the coherence of the imple­

Position of a Non-EU Alpine State on the Need for a Water Protocol Stephan Müller, Switzerland Water Director, Federal Office for the Environment

Similar to the EU-legislation the Swiss water in water protection matters both are based on legislation has a highly complex and dense similar principles and follow the same general system of regulations. A comparison between approaches, enabling where necessary a coordi­ the Swiss water legislation and the EU-Water nated cooperation7. This statement is underpin­ Framework directive came to the conclusion that ned by already realized and ongoing water pro-

7 EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie und Schweizer Wasser- und Müller, Bern, 2007; siehe auch http://www.bafu.admin.ch/was­ Gewässerschutzgesetzgebung - eine Gegenüberstellung: Peter Rey, Edwin ser/01444/01995/index.html?lang=de (only in german)

Section 5: Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? 35 tection programmes between Switzerland and mental issues the question arises which would their neighbouring countries. For all major trans­ be the ideal spatial reference for management boundary water bodies, there are international and planning (since many environmental issues commissions in place. These commissions cover are transboundary issues). For water issues and partly water protection partly also flood control, for integrated water resources management this lake regulation, fishery and navigation. Mostly ideal spatial reference is the hydrologically defi­ they are based on bi- or multilateral treaties. ned basin. Once this is acknowledged the sub­ Most of them were founded already many deca­ sequent question is: at which scale? The subsi­ des ago, long before the UN-ECE Convention diarity principle requires tackling problems at the on the Protection and Use of Transboundary lowest possible political and administrative level. Watercourses and International Lakes (Water Most river basins are national (or even cantonal/ Convention) entered into force (the Water provincial) such that the management and pro­ Convention is ratified by all Alpine countries ­ blem resolution should be dealt with at this level. except Monaco - and the European Community). For those river basins that cross national bor­ Despite the in principle comprehensive national ders transboundary commissions and program­ legislation in Switzerland, there are implementa­ mes are already in place since long as pointed tion gaps and identified and acknowledged defi­ out above (and the legal framework as well with cits of the ecological status. In the Alpine areas the UN-ECE Water Convention and the EU­ this refers mainly to hydromorphology, most of WFD). the flow regime deficits being related to hydro­ In all, from a Swiss perspective we do not see power use and most of the morphologic deficits the need for another piece of legislation at inter­ as a consequence of past hydraulic engineering national level as e.g. a water protocol of the works for flood protection and land reclamation. Alpine Convention. This would be redundancy to This has been already considered in the last other existing national and international legislati­ revision of the federal water protection act in on, which are enough specific to the Alpine envi­ 1992 when corresponding regulations of this so ronments, and would therefore only contribute to called "quantitative water protection" have been increase bureaucratic efforts. enacted. Although these legal prescriptions led to measures enhancing the hydromorphologic conditions it is deemed that the process of repai­ ring the deficits of the past is too slow. This is why there are currently political initiatives under way to make these prescriptions more explicit along with financing solutions in order to accele­ rate the remediation measures. This applies in particular to the fields of revitalization, hydro­ peaking, residual flow and sediment manage­ ment. In more general terms with respect to environ­

36 Waterbalance in the Alps Position of the CIPRA on the Need for a Water Protocol Andreas Götz CIPRA International

In 2003 already, the International water such as drift ice and avalanches. Commission for the Protection of the Alps While the scope of the EU's Framework CIPRA submitted a proposal for an Alpine Directive on Water Policy is confined in particu­ Convention Water Protocol. The expert group lar to inland surface waterways and groundwa­ for the 2nd Report on the State of the Alps ter, the CIPRA draft Protocol adopts a far broa­ (RSA) missed the chance to start a broad dis­ der approach. It takes into account not just land­ cussion about the necessity of such an and ground-based waterways but also the entire instrument for the Alps. water cycle including atmospheric water and A Water Protocol fills an important gap in the aquatic eco-systems, wetlands, etc. This in turn protection of the Alps. A uniform standard for enables a holistic approach to water manage­ contemporary glacier protection for instance can ment, which also includes quantitative aspects only be achieved through such a Protocol. particularly with regard to the use of hydroelec­ The EU Framework Directive on Water does not tric power and other socio-economic aspects. or very incompletely take into account water This broad approach is lacking in the Framework resources in solid form or particular aquatic eco­ Directive, which almost exclusively protects the systems such as glaciers and firn fields. quality of waterways and only partially takes Likewise the EU Directive does not include pro­ account of quantitative aspects or mentions blems relating to artificial snow installations such them in a secondary instance in connection with as the impact of chemical snow-making additi­ quality objectives to be achieved. ves on water quality or the tapping of water to During the Innsbruck water conference 2006 and create artificial snow in times of water shortage. also at the discussions within the Permanent The same applies to particular events caused by Committee of the Alpine Convention, many parti­ cipants expressed their hope that within the frame of the elaboration or the 2nd RSA, the necessity of a Water protocol would be further examined. CIPRA not only presented a draft pro­ tocol but also a large body of arguments for its necessity. The expert group never invited the observers or other representatives of the civil society to discuss this issue. Consequently the report does not say a word about all the argu­ ments of CIPRA. A missed chance indeed!

Section 5: Legal Framework: Do we need a Water Protocol for the Alpine Perimeter? 37 FINAL CONCLUSIONS

Final Conclusions of the Conference Fritz Holzwarth, Germany Water Director, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety

Address, the Alpine Conference in March 2009 on how to manage water resources in the future within the On behalf of the organisers of the conference I framework of the Alpine Convention. would, first of all, like to thank all speakers for their excellent presentations. I should also like to A proposal was repeatedly made during the dis­ thank all participants for the lively discussion cussion today to establish a "platform on water" which took place. for the future work of the Alpine Convention rela­ ting to water issues. The ad-hoc working group Today we took a look at the water resources of of experts which drafted the Report on the State the Alps from different perspectives, covering of the Alps on Water could form the nucleus of topics such as water quality and water quantity, such a platform. the continuity of rivers and their use for harnes­ sing renewable energies, flood protection and A future platform on water issues could be con­ climate change as well as the legal instruments ducive to the implementation of existing legal to protect water resources. When summarising instruments, specifically the EU Water the contributions made it can justifiably be said Framework Directive, and also guarantee an that the draft of the Report on the State of the exchange of particularly relevant best practice Alps on Water covers all of these aspects com­ examples for the Alpine region. Based on the prehensively and adequately. draft report available and as a result of today's discussion, the following aspects require further Hence the Draft Report lends itself as an excel­ exploration: lent basis to clearly sketch out the next steps to be taken within the framework of the Alpine - evaluation of the management plans developed Convention with respect to water resources. I according to the EU Water Framework would like to emphasise again that the report Directive with respect to Alpine specific mana­ was drafted with the active participation of non­ gement issues (including adaptation to climate governmental organisations which are indispens­ change); able because of their critical and constructive - an adequate consideration of features specific support of our work. Following a concluding to the Alps in the periodic review of the monito­ meeting of the ad-hoc working group of experts ring programmes which have to be carried out the draft will be supplemented by the details car­ under the EU Water Framework Directive; ved out during today's discussion. After that the - the use of hydropower and in particular of so­ Report will be presented to the Permanent called small scale hydropower plants (e.g. by Committee at its meeting in November 2008 in drafting guidelines) including an integrated eco­ Innsbruck with the aim to prepare a proposal for logical assessment;

38 Waterbalance in the Alps - the consideration of water management con­ Finally, I would like to thank the members of the cerns in other policy sectors of the Alpine ad-hoc working group of experts who drafted the Convention (e.g. tourism, energy) Report on the State of the Alps on Water and specifically the co-chairs Mr Schwaiger and Mr Underpinning these aspects with proposals for Frei. I am confident that your report will help to measures clearly emphasises the significance of formulate a decision at the Alpine Conference water issues. Hence, there is no need to draft a which will not deal with the topic water in an separate Water Protocol of the Alpine abstract way but which will make concrete and Convention. The practical implementation of the practicable measures possible. It can make a above-mentioned proposals and the existing tangible contribution to the protection and legal provisions are clear evidence of this. The sustainable use of the Alpine water riches. Draft Report on the State of the Alps on Water confirms this point of view which was also sup­ ported by the conference participants with the exception of a few voices from non-govern­ mental organisations.

I think it is important to mention that the need for future research activities, in particular in the field of climate protection, needs to be spelled out in more concrete terms and the activities need to be linked up to existing research programmes.

Final Conclusions of the Conference 39 EXCURSION

Excursion Programme

Water Supply Munich, Loisach Valley

Flood Protection and Torrent Control of the Kanker, Garmisch- Partenkirchen

Walchensee Hydropower Station near Lake Kochel

Flood Protection Munich ISAR PLAN

Water Supply Munich, Loisach Valley

40 Waterbalance in the Alps Flood Protection and Torrent Control of the Kanker, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Walchensee Hydropower Station, Kochel

ISAR PLAN - Flood Protection and Renaturation of River ISAR in Munich

before renaturation after renaturation

Excursion 41 PARTICIPANTS

42 Waterbalance in the Alps Aghte Heike, Büro für Umweltkommunikation, Rosenheimer Str. 1, 83115 Neubeuern, Germany Altmayer Michael, Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Hans-Högn-Str. 12, 95030 Hof/Saale, Germany Angelini Paolo, Ministerio dell`Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio e del Mare, Via C. Colombo 44, 00147 Roma, Italy Arnoldt Wolfgang, Regierung von Schwaben, Fronhof 10, 86152 Augsburg, Germany Arzet Klaus, Wasserwirtschaftsamt München, Heßstr. 128, 80797München, Germany Balzarolo Donata, Ministero dell'Ambiente, Via Colombo 44, 00147 Roma, Italy Becker Michael, Bayer. Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 89125 München, Germany Beyer Knut, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, WA I 4, Robert- Schuman-Platz 3, 53175 Bonn, Germany Bianchini Andrea, Alpine Convention Coordination Unit - Int. Mountain Agreement EURAC Bolzano, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy Binder Walter, Lierstr. 16, 80639 München, Germany Blank Thomas, Amt der Vorarlberger Landesregierung, Josef-Huter-Straße 35, 6901 Bregenz, Austria Blöch Helmut, Europäische Kommission, DG Environment, 1049 Brussels, Belgium Bouffard William, Agence de l'eau Rhône Mediterranée et Corse, 2-4 Allée de Lodz, 69363 Lyon Cedex 07, France Braun Ludwig N., Comm. for Glaciology, Bavarian Academy of Sciences, Alfons-Goppel-Str. 11, 80539 München, Germany Brendt Irene, Habichtsweg 4, 93180 Deuerling, Germany Bricelj Mitja, State Secretary Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning, Dunajska cesta 48, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Cisotto Cristina, Dolmetscher Colonna Pietro, Ministerio dell’Ambiente e della Tutela del Territorio, Via C. Colombo 44, 00147 Roma, Italy Couturier Marie-Joelle, Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development, 20, avenue de Ségur, 75302 Paris, France Dax Rudolf, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany de Jong Carmen, Institute de la Montagne, Universite des Savoie, 73376 Le Bourget du Lac, France Desing Hannelore, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany Ebner Theresia, Wasserwirtschaft/Land Salzburg, Michael-Pacherstr. 36, 5020 Salzburg, Austria Eggensberger Peter, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany

List of Participants 43 Egger Thomas, EUROMONTANA c/o schweiz. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Berggebiete, Seilerstr. 4, 3001 Bern, Switzerland Filipic Metka, Dolmetscher Fleury Thomas, Joint Technical Secretariat, Interreg III B Alpine Space Programme, Rosenheim, Germany Frei Peter, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany Füreder Leopold, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Gladbach Hubert, Bundesministerium f. Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Robert- Schuman-Platz 3, 53175 Bonn, Germany Götz Andreas, Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, Worblentalstrasse 68, 3003 Ittigen, Switzerland Grambow Martin, Bayer. Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany Guggisberg Claudia, Bundesamt für Raumentwicklung, 3003 Bern, Switzerland Haller Christoph, Abteilung für Umwelt- und Energiepolitik Wirtschaftskammer Österreich, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 63, 1045 Wien, Austria Hamberger Silvia, Gesellschaft für ökologische Forschung e.V., Froschammerstr. 14, 80807 München, Germany Herrnegger Mathew, Institut für Wasserwirtschaft, Hydrologie und Wasserbau, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Wien, Austria Höfert Brigitte, Dolmetscher Holderer Andreas, Wasserwirtschaftsamt Rosenheim, Königstraße 19, 83022 Rosenheim, Germany Holler Federico, Dolmetscher Holzwarth Fritz, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Robert- Schuman-Platz 3, 53175 Bonn, Germany Hopf Günter, Wasserwirtschaftsamt Traunstein, Rosenheimerstraße 7, 83278 Traunstein, Germany Hornich Rudolf, Amt der Steiermärkischen Landesregierung, Stempfergasse 7, 8010 Graz, Austria Huber Peter, Regierung von Oberbayern, Maximilianstr. 39, 80538 München, Germany Imhof Regula, Ständiges Sekretariat der Alpenkonvention, Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Kahl Jona, Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Lazarettstraße 67, 80036 München, Germany Knez Joze, Hydrology and State of the Enviroment Office, Vojkova ulica 1b, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Köllner Bernhard , Bayer. Landesamt für Umwelt, Bürgermeister-Ulrich-Str. 160, 86179 Augsburg, Germany Korck Jane, Bayer. Landesamt für Umwelt, Hans-Högn-Str. 12, 95030 Hof/Saale, Germany Lackner Reinhard, FP Alpiner Raum, Univ.Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Lacoste Véronique, Dolmetscher Lederer Bernhard, Bayer. Landesamt für Umwelt, Hochwasserschutz und alpine Naturgefahren,

44 Waterbalance in the Alps Lazarettstr. 67, 80636 München, Germany Leutwiler Astrid, Nationale Plattform Naturgefahren PLANAT, c/o Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, 3003 Bern, Switzerland Lintzmeyer Klaus, Verein zum Schutz der Bergwelt e.V., Von-Kahr-Str. 2-4, 80997 München, Germany Lutz Ludwig, Amt der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung, Landhausplatz 1, Haus 2, 3109 St. Pölten, Austria Macaluso Marcella, Bolzano Office EURAC - Accademia Europea di Bolzano, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy Maier Christoph, Ass. Europ des Flus de la Montagne, Maison des Parcs + Montagne Maiolini Bruno, Natural Sciences Museum of Trento, via Calepina 14, 38100 Trento, Italy Mair Raimund, Federal Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Marxergasse 2, 1030 Wien, Austria Marzelli Stefan, Ifuplan - Institut für Umweltplanung, Landschaftsentwicklung und Naturschutz, Schleißheimerstr. 156, 80797 München, Germany Mauser Wolfram, LMU München, Department für Geographie, Luisenstr. 37, 80333 München, Germany Mayrhofer Wolfger, Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, Herzog Friedrich Str. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Mikulic Zlatko, ARSO (Agency for environment, section monitoring, section Hydrology), Vojkova 1b, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Montero Ramirez Manuel, Autorita di Bacino Adige, Piazza Vittoria, 5, 38100 Trento, Italy Müller Stephan, Ministry for Environment, Forestry and Agriculture, 3003 Bern, Switzerland Neumann Alexander, Bayer. Landesamt für Umwelt, Lazarettstraße 67, 80636 München, Germany Nievergelt Thomas, Gemeinde Samedan in Graubünden, Plazzet 4, 7503 Samedan, Switzerland Onida Marco, Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Pech Antje, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Alexanderstraße 3, 10178 Berlin, Germany Petter Lothar, Österreichischer Alpenschutzverband, Mähdlegasse 3, 6850 Dornbirn, Austria Pfahringer Nadine, Alpenkonventionsbüro der CIPRA Österreich c/o Oesterreichischer Alpenverein Olympiastraße 37, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Pfaundler Martin, Bundesamt für Umwelt BAFU, Sektion Gewässerbewirtschaftung, 3003 Bern- Ittigen, Switzerland Pignon Martin, Agence de bassin RMC, 2-4 allée de Lodz, 69363 Lyon Cedex 07, France Pirker Otto, VERBUND-Austrian Hydro Power AG, Am Hof 6A, 1010 Wien, Austria Pravdic Klaudija, Dolmetscher Prechtl Martina, Kleinwasserkraft Österreich, Museumstr. 8, 1070 Wien, Austria Prelc Spela, Bolzano Office EURAC - Accademia Europea di Bolzano, Viale Druso 1, 39100

List of Participants 45 Bolzano, Italy Psenner Roland, Inst. f. Ökologie, Univ. Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Pürer Ernst, Vorarlberger Illwerke AG, Batloggstraße 36, 6780 Schruns, Austria Reppe Silvia, Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Alexanderstraße 3, 10178 Berlin, Germany Rimböck Andreas, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany Roblek Igor, Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, Herzog-Friedrich-Strasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria Rossi Daniele, Autorità di bacino del Fiume Adige, piazza vittoria 5, 8100 TrentoItaly Sagasser Ulrike, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany Samuel-Eckerle Eva, Kommission für Glaziologie, Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Univ. Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany Schauser Inke, European Topic Centre on Air and Climate Change (ETC/ACC), UBA, Wörlitzer Platz 1, 6844 Dessau, Germany Schindele Karl, Wasserwirtschaftsamt Kempten, Rottachstraße 15, 87439 Kempten, Germany Schober Walter, freier Journalist, München, Germany Schuhwerk, Wasserwirtschaftsamt Kempten, Rottachstraße 15, 87439 Kempten, Germany Schwaiger Karl, Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft, Marxergasse 2, 1030 Wien, Austria Seidenberger, Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung, Völkermarktring 21, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria Speer Franz, Deutscher Alpenverien, Von-Kahr-Str. 2-4, 80997 München, Germany Toniutti Nicoletta, WWF Italia WWF European Alpine Programme, Via Cussignacco 38, 33100 Udine, Italy Vitale Marco, Member of the Council on Water Policy of the Sondrio Province (Lombardy), Via Cornaggia, 10, 20123 Milano, Italy Vittori Eutizio, ISPRA high Institute for Environment Protection an Research, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Roma, Italy Weber Hans, Bayerisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Ref. 81, Hans-Högn-Straße 12, 95030 Hof, Germany Weißgerber Karlheinz, Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit, Rosen­ kavalierplatz 2, 81925 München, Germany Wohlwend Stephan, Amt für Wald, Natur und Landschaft, Dr. Grass-Str. 10, 9490 Vaduz, Liechtenstein

46 Waterbalance in the Alps

Impressum

Herausgeber: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Umwelt und Gesundheit Rosenkavalierplatz 2, 81925 München (StMUG) Internet: www.stmug.bayern.de E-Mail: [email protected]

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU) Referate Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und KI II 3 11055 Berlin Internet: www.bmu.de E-Mail: [email protected]

Gestaltung: Irene Brendt Bildnachweis: Hans Grieblinger/Regierung von Oberbayern (Titel), Irene Brendt (S. 8, 10, 23 oben, 34, 37, 42), Ständiges Sekretariat (S. 11, 12, 25), © Schweizer Luftwaffe (S. 15), Bundesamt für Umwelt (BAFU) (S.16), Gemeinde Samedan (S. 18), WWF Italy (S. 21), Armin Rieg, WWA Kempten (S. 22), Volkmar Mair (S. 23 unten), © Tauern Touristik GmBH (S. 24), © Verbund (S. 26), STMUG (S. 27, S. 40 oben), Hermann Blöch (S. 30), Franz Speer (S. 41 oben, Mitte), SWM (S. 40 unten), WWA München (S. 41 unten) Stand: Januar 2009 © StMUG, BMU, alle Rechte vorbehalten Gedruckt auf Papier aus 100 % Altpapier

Diese Druckschrift wird kostenlos im Rahmen der Öffentlichkeitsarbeit der Bayerischen Staatsregierung und der des Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit herausgegeben. Sie darf weder von den Parteien noch von Wahlwerbern oder Wahlhelfern im Zeitraum von fünf Monaten vor einer Wahl zum Zweck der Wahlwerbung verwendet werden. Dies gilt für Landtags-, Bundestags-, Kommunal- und Europawahlen. Missbräuchlich ist während dieser Zeit insbesondere die Verteilung auf Wahlveranstaltungen, an Informationsständen der Parteien sowie das Einlegen, Aufdrucken und Aufkleben parteipolitischer Informationen oder Werbemittel. Untersagt ist gleichfalls die Weitergabe an Dritte zum Zweck der Wahlwerbung. Auch ohne zeitlichen Bezug zu einer bevorstehenden Wahl darf die Druckschrift nicht in einer Weise verwendet werden, die als Parteinahme der Staatsregierung zugunsten einzelner politischer Gruppen verstanden werden könnte. Den Parteien ist es gestattet, die Druckschrift zur Unterrichtung ihrer eigenen Mitglieder zu verwenden. Bei publizistischer Verwertung – auch von Teilen – Angabe der Quelle und Übersen­ dung eines Belegexemplars erbeten. Das Werk ist urheberrechtlich geschützt. Alle Rechte sind vorbehalten. Die Broschüre wird kostenlos abgegeben, jede entgeltliche Weitergabe ist unter­ sagt. Diese Broschüre wurde mit großer Sorgfalt zusammengestellt. Eine Gewähr für die Richtigkeit und Vollständigkeit kann dennoch nicht übernommen werden.