Sustainable Navigation in the

Danube River Basin

Projects to improve navigation in the Lower Danube

Ruse/Bulgaria, October 1st and 2nd, 2009

Planed and existing interventions

ISPA2 – 33 critical points, 400Km

ISPA1 – 11

critical points,

200Km

Bystroye

Sulina canal

Fischer, Kloep, Wilczek, Pusch (2005) Biogeochemistry

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Water levels (2003 & 2004- mBSC) – Izvoarele (Dunarea Veche)

Water column above the bottom sill at low water levels = 0,77

Guiding wall – 11,06 m

Bottom sill – 4,43 m

Min 30.08.03

Max 24.04.04

0,77

?MW

ISPA 1 status

• EIA approved with conditions:

– Additional data on Natura 2000 sites

– Monitoring Programme (before, during and

after)

• Implementation sub-contracted

– Works will start after monitoring (phase I)

– Step by step approach – optimisation

measures

ISPA 2 – Improving navigation on Romanian-Bulgarian sector

ISPA 2 status

• Preliminary technical design

• EIA under preparation (bilateral)

• Unclear timeline for EIA (including Espoo)

Border România/Ucraina

Bystroye canal

PĂDUREA LETEA

Colonia de pelicani

Bystroye - status

• Officially works have stoped

• Unofficially – Phase II started

• Public hearings on transboundary EIA (June 2009)

• ICPDR

Different projects – common issues

• Non compliance with EU and international conventions

• ,,Old fashioned“ technical design

• Refference basis outdated - 10 years ago studies (Harris, 1994, 1999)

• impact on river morphodynamics and ecological processes not entirely considered

• Final beneficiaries??

Next steps

• Transparent dialogue

• Data/information availability

• Involvement

• Common decisions

• Step by step implementation

• Monitoring

Thank you for your attention!

Danube, a living river, a river of life!Danube, a living river, a river of life!R

for a living planet