Implementation of WFD in Austria V. Koller-Kreimel

1. Implementation of WFD in Austria V. Koller-Kreimel

2. Objective setting – priorities and exemptions

3. 1. River Basin Management Plan Austrian situation: • High number of water bodies „at risk“ (50%) or already proven to fail good status mainly due to hydromorphological alterations • So many problems cannot be solved at once till 2005 • Measures can be set only for those water bodies which have proved to fail good status with (very) high confidence • More time is needed to clarify the exact status of water bodies • Some knowledge is still missing on hydromorphological measures and the reaction of biology • Restricted planning/ administrative/ financial ressources • priorities have to be set; application of exemptions – firstly extension of deadlines (Art. 4 (4) seems to be necessary and appropriate Priority measures should be set taking into account ecological efficiency!

4. 1st river basin managment plan – priority for measures • „High confidence“ that good status is failed • „High confidence“ in the ecological effect of measure • Restauration of continuity: fish migration aids, ramps • Restauration of ecological minimum flow • Restauration of Habitats and habitat connection – breeding grounds in particular (stepping stones!) • In case of „low confidence“: setting of interim objectives / management objectives • Focus on „ecologically most sensitive“ water stretches • high cost-efficiency: low costs copmared to length of water body which will be restaured to good status

5. Priorities for hydromorphological restauration till 2015 • Main rivers (catchment > 500 km2 ) - historic habitats for medium distance migratory fisch (Nose, Barbel, Danube Salmon) + selected tributaries • Natura 2000 – water relevant • additional water stretches with special interests like • Specific public interest • Bilateral/International/Transboundary interest • High cost-efficiency • Synergies with other projects/measures

6. Reason for focus on „main rivers“: Only few water bodies of the main rivers are in good (ecological) status due to hydromorphological pressures -> high need of restauration as these water bodies are typespecific habitats for medium distance migratory fish species, which are very sensitive and endangered

7. Main rivers > 500 km – historical habitats for medium distance migratory fish species (ecologically most sensitive river stetches)

8. Exemptions – reasons for application • Technical reasons • restriction of planning capacity • restriction of administrative capacity: restauration measures have to undergo a permission/licencing procedure • status situation is unclear, clarification (additional monitoring) needs more time • unclear situation who is responsible for failing good status (more time is needed for investigative monitoring • Disproportionate costs • unclear status situation: to set measures might result in disproportionate costs • additional knowledge is needed to clarify interaction between measure and biological reaction (i.e. which percentage of the water body morphologiy has to be restored that good ecological status is achieverd? • ability to pay ??????? • Natural reasons: • positive reaction of biology on restauration measure will take some time (time lag!)

9. Transboundary context Discussion of national priorities and application of exemptions during time of „public participation“ in the frame of the bilateral transboundary water commissions.

10. Thank you … for your attention! veronika.koller-kreimel@lebensministerium.at