NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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Report of the Workshop
DANUBE DIALOGUE
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues
in Lower Prut, Danube area
7-8 April 2011
Galati, Romania
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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Acknowledgement
Thanks to the following organizations that made this workshop possible:
Natural Sciences Museum Complex Galati
Galati County Council
National Administration “Romanian Waters”
Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Conservation (NNA)
German Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU)
Alfred Toepfer Foundation F.V.S.
Michael Otto Foundation
WWF Danube Carpathians Programme
Administration of the Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park
Galati County Association for Sport Fishing
Inspectorate of Border Police Galati
WWF Floodplain Institute-Germany
Choudhury Agency-Germany
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB)-Germany
ENPI-FLEG Program, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS/CEEAC)-Gabon, Africa
Faculty of Biology from the 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' University of Iasi
The Danube Dialogue workshop report reflects the main outcomes of the workshop in an informal way and
has no formal status. All presentations of the workshop are available at:
http://www.cmsngl.ro/danube/programme.html
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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Background, objectives and expected outcomes
The Danube River Basin covers about 10% of the European continent. After Volga, the Danube is the
second largest river in Europe (2780 km length, over 801 463 km2 catchment areas and annual average flow
of approximately 6500 m3/s). 97.4% of Romania territory is located in the Danube river basin, which
represents 29% of the Danube basin. Romania is the country with the largest area in the Danube basin. Also
37.7% of the length of the Danube is in Romania.
The Prut River is the second longest (950 km) and the last major tributary of the Danube, with its
confluence located just upstream of the Danube Delta. Its source is in the forests of the Ukrainian
Carpathians and forms the border between Romania and Ukraine on 31 km and between Romania and
Moldova on 711 km. Prut River basin (with an area of 28,680 km2) is limited to the border with Ukraine in
the north, the Danube river basin in the south, Siret river basin in the west and in the east of Moldova.
Reception area of basin in Romania is approximately 10,990 km2 (40% of the Prut river basin). Formerly,
the lower Prut was fringed by vast floodplains (total area: 1665 km2), but 75% have been lost or are now
functionally extinct. The Prut Valley represents an important corridor for the migration of birds and certain
species of fish. In the area of the frontier there are 90 nature reserves of which 62 on the Romanian territory
and 28 in Republic of Moldova.
The workshop aimed to allow information exchange on the following topics:
1. Biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management on the Prut River in a
transboundary context
2. Water management issues in the transboundary Prut river basin
3. Communication & Tourism
This workshop played an important part in identifying constructive solutions for people and nature within a
transboundary sustainable development framework addressed to all interested stakeholders in the Lower
Prut Basin Area. The outcomes of the workshop were:
1. Transboundary activities/project ideas; potential funding sources
2. Statement of consensus reached among participants at the Danube Dialogue
3. Press conference
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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Welcome and introduction
The Danube Dialogue workshop was opened by statements of the supporting organizations (Mrs. Camelia
Burluc - Manager of Natural Sciences Museum Complex Galati and Mr. Eugen Chebac - President of
Galati County Council) addressing the importance of the Lower Prut-Danube area for the region, the
cooperation in a transboundary context and the relevance of the Danube Dialogue initiative for people and
nature. The welcome and introduction session was completed by Mrs. Martina Meeske, the representative
of Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature Conservation from Germany and the project coordinator of the
vocational training programme “Sustainable Nature Conservation and Regional Development in
Floodplains and Wetlands in the Central and Lower Danube River Basin” - NatuRegio_floodplains. Dr.
Meeske presented information about the organizations involved in executing, funding and the partner of the
training
programme
and
then
the
“story”
of
the
NatuRegio
Programme
with
focus
on
NatuRegio_floodplains Programme 2010 – 2012 which aims to enhance sustainable nature conservation and
regional development strategies in floodplains and wetlands along the Danube and to encourage crossborder collaboration and networking in the Macro-Region. Also, the NatuRegio_floodplains Programme
represents the frame for Danube Dialogues development.
Objectives of the meeting and the main reason for organizing the Danube Dialogue workshop at the Natural
Sciences Museum Complex Galati were presented by Mrs. Gabriela Patriche, head of the Museum
Department.
The first day activities (Annex I) were chaired by Mrs. Orieta Hulea - WWF Danube Carpathians
Programme Coordinator who had introduced the speakers in the relevant areas of interest for the Danube
Dialogue workshop:
 Strategic objectives for the management of biodiversity in Romania – presented by Mrs. Nela
Miauta from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in the frame of the Convention on Biological
Diversity and the Conference of the Parties to the Convention held in Nagoya last year.
 Prut River Basin Issues in Romania and Moldova. Biodiversity and water management issues in
Prut River Basin have been addressed by Mrs. Gina Radu from the Regional Environmental Protection
Agency Galati with a special focus on the link between EU nature and water legislation, a brief summary
regarding the Prut river basin management plan and the status of the natural protected areas and Natura
2000 sites management measures. Mr. Alexei Andreev, representative of the Biotica Ecological Society,
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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Mr. Valeriu Balan from the Ministry of Environment and Mr. Aurel Lozan from IUCN ENPI FLEG
Program presented the complex problems for the Moldavian Prut river basin side and MAB-Moldova
Committee recommendations on Biosphere Reserves creation.
 International speakers presented examples and best practices from different lands from Germany in
the field of nature conservation, water management, tourism and communication and examples of
cooperation between Germany and France and also, examples and general aspects from Gabon - Africa.
Thus, Mrs. Erika Schneider presented information about transboundary cooperation for water
management, nature conservation, applied research, ecoturisme, environmental education and best (not
only) practices from the Rhine, the Odra and the Lower Danube. The vision for cross - border cooperation
concerns in water management/flood protection, nature conservation, environmental education and
ecoturisme, applied scientific research. An example is regarding flood risk management and flood
protection on the Upper Rhine - the Integrated Programme of the Rhine River which envisage flood
protection through ecological restoration combining ecological and economical interests for flood protection
and ecosystem improvement. The Program for a sustainable development of the river Rhine includes: the
improvement of the Rhine river ecosystem with restoration of typical biotopes, connectivity from the Lake
Konstanz /Bodensee to the Northern Sea, including connectivity of tributaries), improvement of flood
control and flood protection, improvement of water quality and groundwater protection. For cross - border
nature conservation on the Rhine with France, an example is the management measure for water chestnut
(Trapa natans) in the Nature Reserve „Rhine floodplain of Rastatt“. The „Transboundary Ramsar Site
Upper Rhine“ implements common actions, common research and common wetlands management. One of
the last paradises along the central part of the Upper Rhine forms the PAMINA Rhine Park, a region as a
Museum with the Celt graves at Seltz (France), the „Krautstücker“ near Plittersdorf (Germany), nature
conservation centres in France and Germany, thematic museums in different villages, the German-French
Bicycle-Way „Floodplain of the Rhine“ (130 km). In the field of applied scientific research are the
transboundary France-German basic and applied Research Programmes for fish monitoring on the fish
passage at the power plant Iffezheim near Rastatt and monitoring of gravel mouvement in the river bed of
the Southern Upper Rhine. Another example is a cross border project on the Odra river between Czech
Republic and Poland which established an acceptance of „Espace de liberté“ and new agreement about the
state border – model for the transboundary European rivers. The last example was regarding transboundary
nature conservation on the Lower Danube and the main activities were experience exchange: visit of
Romanian foresters on Bulgarian part of the Danube near Svistov, exchange between Natural Park
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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Comana/RO and Natural Park Russenski Lom/BG and cultural programmes County Council Giurgiu. The
main conclusion of Mrs. Schneider presentation is that the basin wide management of rivers (river
commissions) and the European instruments such are the WFD, the Natura 2000 network, the Flood
Directive and the Floodrisk Management are making it easier to realise transboundary issues, even if there
are still difficulties on the legislative and administrative level. Prof. Dr. Erika Schneider represents the
WWF Floodplain Institute from Rasttat, Germany/Karlsruhe University and is a very good expert for
wetland and floodplain management, nature conservation and phytocenology, indicator species, renaturate
wetlands monitoring and management using the sustainable use criterion, mapping of wetlands habitat,
history of botany, ecological assessment of wetland and their restoration.
Mr. Martin Pusch from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) presented
issues related to the connectivity of rivers with their floodplains and implications for the conservation of
river corridors: floodplains are nodes for biodiversity and ecosystem services, European floodplain forests
are reduced and fragmented (over 90% lost) and are included in Annexe I of the European Habitats
Directive (1992) as a „Priority Habitat Type‟, multifunctional floodplains (Biomass production, Quality
regulation, Biodiversity maintenance, Flow regulation, Groundwater recharge, Cultural services, Habitatrefugia, Erosion regulation, Climate regulation), economic value of floodplains (net benefit from the
creation of new inundation ares on the Elbe River - c. 80 000 Euro/ha), threats to rivers and floodplains
(example of extreme impact - flow peaking by hydropower dams, fragmentation of rivers, water stress,
threatened freshwater species - Fish, Amphibians, Birds, Odonata), approaches for conservation (growing
socio-economic importance of floodplains for flood protection, self-purification of water, drinking water
supply, fisheries, tourism, necessity for inter-sectoral management planning in order to reach political goals
of the EU Water Framework Directive, EU Habitat Directive, EU Floods Directive, Convention of
Biodiversity - thus contributing to cost-effective and sustainable
development of the region),
implementation examples (re-dynamisation of the Danube floodplain downstream of Vienna, remeandering
of the Skjern river (Denmark) aiming e.g. to re-introduce salmon). Dr. Martin Pusch is head of the IGB
research project „Management of river systems“, is specialized in shallow lakes and lowland rivers and his
fields of interests are ecology of running waters and lake shores, benthic macroinvertebrates, river and lake
management.
Mrs. Keya Choudhury presented aspects related to environmental public awareness - scarce resource and
key to success: catchword public awareness (a first step in developing understanding and concern, to help
people know of the issue, to make the issue part of the public discourse or to put the issue on the agenda),
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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providing answers by communicating the scientific and technical facts and knowledge in a language that can
be understood, integrating biodiversity and water management issues into education systems and raising
public awareness related to environmental issues. Then she presented 2 best practise examples: a) The
regional brand Uckermark (the region as a strong economic cultural zone and valuable natural area area,
partnership of the population with local agricuture, industry, tourism, nature conservation and crafts,
maintenance and further development of the regional cultural landscape, recreation and sports, partnership
between urban and rural areas, strong regional identity and sustainability of the region) and the
environmental education project „Urban birds“. Mrs. Keya Choudhury represents the Choudhury Agency
which is involved in project management fields for environment and sustainable development consulting.
Keya Choudhury founded the Choudhury Agency in 2003 carrying out research projects and advisory
services for governmental and non-governmental institutions, as well as promoting projects upon her own
initiative. Her focus is on environmental awareness raising, performing stakeholder dialogue and
communicating environmental information to different target groups. With her work, Keya Choudhury
targets questions related to biodiversity protection, agri-environmental policy, climate change, renewable
energies and development co-operation.
Mr. Honoré Tabuna presented institutional experience of biodiversity conservation and development of
protected areas in Central Africa States. The main topics addressed were: about ECCAS - Economic
Community of Central African States (an intergovernmental organization recognized by African Union and
International Community with objectives to develop Central Africa economy and regional integration,
strategic intervention areas - peace and security, infrastructures, environment and natural resources,
biodiversity in Congo Basin Forest and the main threats, consequence of deforestation), institutional
framework for sustainable management of biodiversity and protection of environment (institutional and
political initiatives, ECCAS and Sub-regional organizations involved on sustainable management of
biodiversity), Protected areas: a strategy management of biodiversity (about Central Africa Protected Area
Network (RAPAC), place of main protected areas in Central Africa, main transboundaries protected areas in
Central Africa and mains constraints/threats) and important needs (to reinforce capacities of Central African
Protected Areas Network (RAPAC), to elaborate business plan of each protected area, to develop marketing
and communication, to find technical and financial partners in out of Central Africa). Dr. Honoré Tabuna
is an expert in valuing biodiversity and environment economy from Economic Community of Central
African States (ECCAS /CEEAC).
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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 SWOT analysis of the Prut River in a transboundary context for Romania and Moldova developed
by Regional Environmental Protection Agency Galati, Natural Science Complex Museum Galati and
National Administration “Romanian Waters” and by IUCN ENPI FLEG Program and the Ministry of
Environment of Moldova. Every participant to the workshop had received a background document related to
the SWOT analyse for both countries with very well underlined issues for strengths, weakness, opportunities
and threats (Annex II).
All speakers highlighted the importance of an integrated approach for nature conservation and water
management not only to successfully implement the Birds and Habitat Directive and Water Framework
Directive but to enforcement of legislation in general, in particular in the natural protected areas (their
management, protection of flora and fauna, water quality in the Prut River Basin).
In order to show the complexity of the integrated approach and to stimulate the debate, a conceptual map of
the Prut river basin (developed by Regional Environment Protection Agency) was presented to the
participants. Participants were invited to use it as a tool for inspiration during the workshop.
In order to introduce the participants in the aspects related to the Prut River in a transboundary context, it
was presented an overview of the area through the presentation of two movies:
-
”Ecological Restoration of the Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park” done in the framework of LIFE
Nature Project coordinated by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency Galati and
-
“Protecting Prut‟s wetlands” regarding Beleu and Manta Lakes water quantity problems (silting) and
restoration measures, an eco-movie created by Dr. Andrei Dumbraveanu from AVE Natura (Moldova) and
Dr. Aurel Lozan within the REC/DANCEE funded project.
Parallel sessions
The discussion was structured along tree working sessions. Each session had to follow the same set of
questions, namely:
What are the priority problems and justification?:
o What are the specific problems to be addressed?
o What is current status of the specific problems?
o What are the major issues related to these problems?
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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o How does this relate to the Government strategy, River Basin Management Plan, Water
Framework Directive, Floods Directive ?
o Who are the key stakeholders?
o What other projects/programmes already exist in this field?
o Define the justification highlights
o Complete the Problem and Justification Summary Table provided
What should a transboundary project focus upon?
o Which kinds of transboundary measures/project are proposed as a solution?
o What do you consider will the impacts (objectives) of the project be?
o What are the actions to make the measures/project operational?
o Who are the key players to undertake the outputs/activities (lead players, support
players/partners)
o Is any relevance of the topic related to climate change? If yes, proposal for the measure will
be requested.
o Complete the Project and Action Summary Table provided
What other relevant background information?
Theme 1: Biodiversity conservation and sustainable landscape management on the Prut River in a
Transboundary context
The discussion was chaired by Mrs. Erika Schneider from WWF Floodplain Institute, Germany and the
rapporteur was the consultant of the IUCN ENPI FLEG Program, Mr. Aurel Lozan. Dr. Aurel Lozan
represents the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) within the ENPI FLEG Program
and is national coordinator of the ENPI-FLEG (European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument-Forest
Law Enforcement and Governance) Programme in Moldova. He is specialized in forest biology
(entomology) and sustainable forest management.
The main results of the discussions can be summarized as follows:
 Activities to be undertaken:
Trans-boundary context:
1.
A (tri)bilateral Biosphere Reserve, based already on previous political engagement (from
December 10th, 2010, Tulcea – Romania, between ROM and MDA), within Ramsar site in MDA
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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and Scientific Reserve Lower Prut, Lower Prut Natural Park of Romania - would be the best
solution for sustainable ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation.
2.
A (tri)bilateral Romanian-Moldavian working group is to be created (including Ministry of
Environment, Romsilva, Moldsilva, Romanian/Moldavian Waters, NGOs, local authorities,
stakeholders) to do the preparation documentation work on the future Biosphere Reserve.
3.
Working group on developing the Prut Basin ecological network, e.g. Prut River
green/ecological
corridor
as
part
of
Pan-European
Ecological
Network
(ME,
Romsilva/Moldsilva, Rom/Mda Waters, NGOs [Aqua-Terra, Biotica etc.], local authorities etc.)
4.
Developing legal framework (documentation) on designation the Ramsar Site in Lower Prut of
Romania (in Moldova it does already exist, but in Moldova does not exist the National Park
instead).
Additional trans-boundary activities to be linked to protected areas:
1. Supporting the creation of other bilateral protected areas, e.g. Scientific “Padurea Domneasca” in
Moldova, and Natura 2000 SPA Site “Lacul Stanca Costesti” and community protected area
“Stanca-Stefanesti” in Romania).
2. (proposed additionally) Cooperation between Romania and Moldova (Danube Delta‟s area
/River Basin) and Congo River Basin on perspectives of conservation (Protected areas).
 Interests of the key stakeholders, e.g. local communities – transforming them into ‟friends‟ rather
than „enemies‟
1.
Analysis of possibilities of improvement of locals‟ living, their financial situation (income from
better and rational utilization of their own resources through traditional activities – e.g. fishing,
willow craftsmen manufacturing, ecological agriculture), subsidence activities, economical
prosperity
2.
Ultimately, a brand (eco-brand of good quality products) will help local communities‟ products
be available at various markets - local Brand to encourage local, traditional activities, improving
their financial situation
3.
Opinion polls (conducting an analysis of interrelations between our intention and local
population‟s need and willingness).
Theme 2: Water management issues in the transboundary Prut river basin
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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The discussion was chaired by Mr. Martin Pusch from Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater ecology and Inland
Fisheries Berlin, Germany and the rapporteur was Mrs. Mirela Leonte from Eco-Counselling Centre
Galati.
The main results of the discussions can be summarized as follows:
 Local communities/industrial water management:
•
Usage of alternative methods of water cleaning for small communities.
 Hydro morphology:
•
A complex project for analyzing the morphology of the entire river Prut in order to identify
the measures to stabilize the river bed.
 Water quality:
•
Supplementary studies regarding the pesticide pollution sources
•
Supplementary measures in the Prut-Barlad river basin management plan regarding the
introduction within the bilateral convention (RO-MD) of common regulations for establishing the discharge
limits of hazardous substances in order to reduce the cross-border pollution.
 Communication:
•
Experience exchange and expertise regarding the implementation of Water Framework
Directive and the basin management plan as well as the presentation of the methodologies and results of
applying them by the responsible institutions in Romania.
Theme 3: Communication & Tourism
The discussion was chaired by Mrs. Keya Choudhury from Choudhury Agency, Germany and the
rapporteurs were Mrs. Daniela Petrusevschi from National Environment Center Moldova and Mr. Cristian
Arsene representative of The Association for Ecology and Tourism “PRO ECO-TUR” from Galati.
The main results of the discussions can be summarized as follows:
 Curent status: There isn‟t an organized framework for carrying out:
•
ecotourism within the protected areas;
•
rural tourism in the nearby places.
 Major issues – positive:
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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•
Close to very populated urban centers
•
Special entertaining and esthetic value
•
Possibilities of practicing nautical sports
•
Existence of other recreation areas in the region (Lower Prut, National Park Macin
Mountains, National Park Balta Mica a Brailei, National Park Putna)
 Major issues – negative:
o Lack of overall regional approach concerning the protection and sustainable use of the area
o Lack of tourism concept (including traffic and infrastructure management, touristic routes,
camping, accommodation etc.)
o Seasonal flooding of some areas and impossibility of accessing the area – this may lead to
limitations of the active period for tourism, however tourism should not be contradictory to
nature protection objectives
o Lack of adequate access routes
o Border areas with restrictions regarding the access to Prut river
o Weak promotion of the entertaining and recreation value of the area for the population
(different age groups)
 Other projects in this field:
•
Tourism development projects in the nearby protected areas:
 National Park Macin Mountains,
 National Park Balta Mica a Brailei,
 National Park Putna
 Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve
 Justification Components:
•
Improvement of the living conditions of the local population by generating sources of income
•
Offers the population recreation possibilities
 Project proposals:
•
Elaboration of a strategy / regional or cross-border program for developing the ecological /
rural tourism in the protected areas
•
Promotion of pilot projects of rural/ecotourism
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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•
Information campaign of possible clients (urban population) about the touristic offer in
protected areas.
 Objectives of the projects:
•
Strengthening the capacity of main stakeholders involved in tourism activities
•
Promotion of possible touristic activities within the protected areas
•
Improvement of cross-border legislation provisions implementation for developing the
tourism
•
Taking care of the needs for developing the tourism in the protected areas:
 Infrastructure
 Logistics
 Coordination/cooperation
 Information/publicity
Actions
•
Creation and activation of the local/regional/cross-border working group for rural tourism
and ecotourism
•
Carrying out thematic working meetings related to:
 Mass media
 Tourism agents
 Target public
•
Carrying out pilot touristic activities with various target groups
•
Identification of financing sources
 Stakeholders:
•
Administrations
 County
 Local
 Protected areas
•
Local population
 Urban
 Rural
•
NGO-s
•
Services involved in tourism activities
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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•
Education institutions and Cultural Institutions
•
Economical agents
The second day started with finalization of all three working group activities (in parallel sessions)
established from the previous day. The facilitators, rapporteurs and participants agreed and prepared the
conclusions of the working groups in order to be presented in the plenary session. After the end of this
working session, the activities were chaired by Mrs. Carmen Gache, associate Professor at the Faculty of
Biology from the 'Alexandru Ioan Cuza' University of Iasi and President of the Romanian Ornithological
Society (SOR)/BirdLife Romania. Dr. Carmen Gache coordinated the presentations of the rapporteurs
regarding the conclusions of the working groups and the participants questions related to the issues of the
other working groups to which they did not attend, the plenary discussions regarding the project proposals,
the potential funding sources and the final results and conclusions of the Danube Dialogue workshop.
The workshop was closed by the chair of the second day, Mrs. Carmen Gache and the
NatuRegio_floodplains trainees and workshop organizers, Mrs. Gabriela Patriche (Natural Sciences
Museum Complex Galati) and Mrs. Ramona Curelea (National Administration "Romanian Waters"),
thanking all participants for their contributions and lively discussions. The chairs, the facilitators and the
rapporteurs were also specifically thanked.
After the plenary closing it was the press conference with the local mass-media to which attended all the
chairs, the facilitators, the rapporteurs and the organizers who presented the aim of the Danube Dialogue
workshop and the final conclusions.
Outlook and next steps
The main result of the Danube Dialogue workshop was the proposal of establishing a bilateral working
group that has to act as a development ecological network within the Prut River Basin. The aim of this
working group can be identified with the aim of the cross-border workshop “Danube Dialogue” of finding
constructive solutions for people and nature in a sustainable development cross-border context, addressed to
all functional categories of people and interest from Prut Basin/Lower Prut.
Objectives of the proposed working group:
 Establishing contacts, identifying problems, elaborating a dialogue and trust,
 Discussion of best practices within natural areas and promotion of those that can limit or
eliminate the adverse effects of various economical activities,
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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 Developing common actions that have to represent solutions to the problems identified.
The agenda of the working group can be focused on the direction actions identified within the workshop:
Biodiversity and Nature Conservation:
•
Elaboration of scientific documentation for proposing the Natural Park Lower Prut but also
the ponds Carja and Mata-Radeanu as RAMSAR site,
•
Elaboration of scientific documentation and forwarding the bi(tri)lateral project proposal of
Biosphere Reserve that must contain the 2 RAMSAR sites (Moldavia and the proposal of RAMSAR site in
Romania).
Water Management:
•
Usage of alternative methods of water cleaning for small communities.
•
A complex project for analyzing the morphology of the entire river Prut in order to identify
the measures to stabilize the river bed.
•
Wetland restoration in Prut river floodplain
•
Supplementary studies regarding the pesticide pollution sources
•
Supplementary measures in the Prut-Barlad river basin management plan regarding the
introduction within the bilateral convention (RO-MD) of common regulations for establishing the discharge
limits of hazardous substances in order to reduce the cross-border pollution.
•
Experience exchange and expertise regarding the implementation of Water Framework
Directive and the basin management plan as well as the presentation of the methodologies and results of
applying them by the responsible institutions in Romania.
Communication & Tourism
•
Lobby and stimulation of the parliamentary initiative regarding some modifications of the
•
Elaboration of a cross-border strategy for developing the ecological/rural tourism within the
legislation,
protected areas.
•
Promotion of pilot projects of ecotourism/rural tourism.
•
Information campaign of the possible clients about the touristic offer.
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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The deadline for the participant proposals to fill in the agenda of the future working group but also for the
confirmation of those who want to be part of the working group is April 21, 2011.
Another important next step is that the Romania‟s representative to the ICPDR River Basin Management
Plan Working Group, Mr. Cristian Rusu from National Administration “Romanian Waters” will present
within the next meeting of ICPDR (Odessa, April 2011) a report regarding Danube Dialogue workshop and
conclusions. This initiative is important for the development of the Prut river sub-basin management plan,
as part of the Danube River basin and having the experience from the Tisza River basin management plan
and stakeholders meetings.
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
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ANNEX I: Final Program
AGENDA
Thursday 7th April 2011
9:00 – 10:00
10:00 – 10:45
Registration
Opening
Welcome by organizers
Objectives of the meeting
10:45 – 11:15
Camelia Burluc -Manager of Natural Sciences Museum
Complex Galati
Eugen Chebac - President of Galati County Council
Martina Meeske – Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature
Conservation
Gabriela Patriche (Natural Science Complex Museum Galati)
& Ramona Curelea (National Administration “Romanian
Waters”) - trainees of NatuRegio floodplains programme
Coffee break
Chair: Orieta Hulea – WWF Danube Carpathians Programme Coordinator
11:15 – 12:30
Strategic objectives for the
management of biodiversity in
Romania
Prut Basin Presentations
Nela Miauta - Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Romania
- Gina Radu (Regional Environmental Protection Agency
Galati), Gabriela Patriche (Natural Science Complex
Museum Galati) & Ramona Curelea (National
Administration “Romanian Waters”)
- Valeriu Balan (Ministry of Environment Moldova) &
Alexei Andreev (Societatea Ecologică BIOTICA, Chisinau)
12:30 – 13:30
International examples
and best practices
13:30 – 14:30
Lunch
Erika Schneider - WWF Floodplain Institute, Germany
Martin Pusch - Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater ecology
and Inland Fisheries Berlin, Germany
Keya Choudhury - Choudhury Agency
Honoré Tabuna - Economic Community of Central
African States (ECCAS / CEEAC)
14:30 – 15:00 Organizational aspects for the parallel sessions
SWOT analysis of the Prut River in a transboundary context
Plenary discussion
The meeting will divide into three parallel sessions. Coffee will be available.
15:00 – 18:30 Parallel sessions
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15:00 – 18:30 Parallel sessions
Working group 1
Biodiversity conservation
and sustainable landscape
management
on the Prut River in a
Transboundary Context
Working group 2
Water management issues in
the transboundary Prut river
basin
Working group 3
Comunication & Tourism
Chair
Facilitator
Erika Schneider,
WWF Floodplain Institute,
Germany
Martin Pusch,
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater
ecology and Inland Fisheries
Berlin, Germany
Keya Choudhury,
Choudhury Agency
Rapporteur
Aurel Lozan
IUCN ENPI FLEG Program
Consultant
Mirela Leonte
Eco-Counselling Centre
Galati
Cristian Arsene
The Association for Ecology
and Tourism ”PRO ECOTUR”
15:00 – 16:30
Facilitated
discussions in
working groups
Considering the SWOT analysis, each group has to identify solutions and to frame actions for the
theme / objective set out in the workshop
16:30 – 17:00
Coffee break
17:00 – 18:30
Facilitated
discussions in
working groups
Considering the SWOT analysis, each group has to identify solutions and to frame actions for the
theme / objective set out in the workshop
19:00
Poster session
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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Friday 8th April 2011
Finalisation working sessions
Chair: Carmen Gache – “Al I Cuza” Iasi University
09:00 - 10:00
Three working groups agree conclusions/recommendations for presentations by Facilitator
/Rapporteur
10:00 - 10:45 Presentation of three working groups
10:45 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 - 12:00 Plenary discussion
12:00 -12:45 Discussion and project proposals to integrate the actions identified by all 3 working groups
Identifying potential funding sources
12:45 - 13:00 Plenary closing, the results of the discussion per objective are introduced, linking the
workshop conclusions with the objectives/themes
13:00 - 13:30 A voting with majority vote after presenting the final paper regarding the post workshop
proposals/Concluding statements
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch
14:30
Departure
13:30- 14:00 Press conference
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
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ANNEX II: SWOT Analyse
Strengths
Weaknesses
Romania
Good conservation status of the Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park (LPNFP) area
Integrating Park‟s area in the European ecological network NATURA 2000
Knowledge and involvement of local people in the environmental conservation
activities carried out in the target area
Park location in a border region, the European Union Eastern border
Common reed and willow-processing culture, having original ethnic traditions,
local organic foods and wines and some other extremely interesting and
picturesque attractions (fishing in sustainable manner)
Park Administration operational and Management Plan of Lower Prut Floodplain
Natural Park elaborated
Two INFO points for the Lower Prut Floodplain Natural Park
Good public image of the LIFE project (completed in early 2010); its main aim
has been that of improving the conservation status of the aquatic bird species, and
not only
Regional Environmental Protection Agency (REPA) Galati and CMSN Galati
develop permanent collaboration with the Park Administration
The area has been incorporated into the WWF‟s Green Danube Corridor
programme since2000
2009 – 2015 Prut – Barlad River Basin Management Plan elaborated and adopted.
Danube River Basin Management Plan adopted
The assessment of water bodies ecological and chemical status in accordance with
Water Framework Directive requirements. Climate change in river basin
management context
Good ecological status for 66.8% of natural water bodies and good ecological
potential for 37.9% of artificial water bodies in Prut Barlad river basin
Information and public participation for Prut – Barlad River Basin Management
Plan
Romania
Lateral embankments which have disconnected the formerly
vast floodplain from the main channel
Permanent changes in the environmental legal framework,
confusing both local authorities and economic bogies
Reduced financial involvement of the Romanian authorities in
activities related to nature conservation and management of
protected areas
No compensation for the damages produced by fish-eating bird
species (pelicans and cormorants)
No compensation for restrictions enforced on
landowners/administrators in certain areas of Natura 2000 sites
Permanent and significant changes in the legal authorities
responsibilities for the control of fishing activities
Lack of tourist facilities determining low intensity of tourism
activities, which are mainly related to fishing and hunting
Low entrepreneurship skills and lack of development programs
Poor public infrastructure
Poaching rate is still high in Prut river
Confidence medium and low in the assessment of water bodies
ecological status and potential
Insufficient monitoring data for a longer time period (historical
data) in establishing reference conditions (due to the fact that
the monitoring system in accordance with the requirements of
the Water Framework Directive has been implemented since
2007).
Integration between water management and habitat and species
protection aspects
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Moldova
Still high potential for nature conservation (The Lower Prut Ecosystems are one of
the best naturally preserved areas in Moldova, in spite of rather high anthropogenic
influence)
Vivid natural life and biotope architecture in the Lower Prut River ecosystems
Common ecosystems type (habitats for biodiversity, species communities) and
traditions of co-habitation within the region (fishing, hinting etc.)
Common reed and willow-related culture, extremely interesting and picturesque,
have original ethnic traditions, local organic foods and wines and some other
attractions (fishing, hunting, sites suitable for tourism)
Area‟s location in a border region, with Romania (the EU Eastern border) and
Ukraine
Quite good knowledge and willingness of local communities to be involved in
conservation activities
Plans of integrating Lower Prut area in the transboundary texture (e.g. tri-lateral
area: Romania-Moldova-Ukraine) of Pan-European Ecological Network
Existence of the Nature Reserve “Lower Prut” (ca 1600 ha only) and the Lower
Prut Lakes Ramsar Site (19152 ha), most of these being forestland and hunt funds
under the state forest authority (including its forest and forest-game enterprises)
managing partially the riparian forests and wetlands
Cooperation platform between Agency Moldsilva and Ministry of Environment
towards the protection of lower Prut ecosystems
Very good public image of the LIFE project whose main goal was to improve the
conservation status of the aquatic bird species, among others.
Moldova
Very low „de-facto‟ financial support of the
environmental/conservation activities in the area from the state
(e.g. only 5% of Moldsilva‟ s yearly budget is covered by the
government, the rest, 95%, is provided from internal sources,
such as timber and non-timber activities)
Low professional education of the personnel to be dealing with
nature conservation, water/forestry and rational game/hunting
activities
Instable legal framework, a gap between the cross-departmental
cooperation of republican and local authorities/administrations
Interest of local communities are not „de-facto‟ respected
Non-compliance with existing legislation, including among
legal authorities responsibilities for the management and/or
control (e.g. of fishing, hunting/game, other inefficient or illegal
activities such as illegal logging);
Lacking mechanisms of combating poverty, commercially
driven illegal fishing and hunting, and overuse of water
ecosystems and their biodiversity
Political instability and prevalence of economic interest over
the nature conservation and/or rational exploitation of resources
Low cooperation of nature management authorities with
businesses
No economic motivation for local communities to be effectively
participation in the conservation through compensations and/or
subsistence programs of helping locals meet their needs
No rational and organized hunting/game and forest plans for the
sake of nature itself in a long-term perspective, but relying only
on natural processes (which in turn are influenced by the
changes in environment and strongly affected by mankind
through the whole river system)
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
No clear tourism strategy in the area (focused on rational
fishing, hunting, lake/river boating, sightseeing etc.), lack of
facilities and personnel engaged in environmental friendly
tourism
High rate of illegalities, such as poaching, overfishing, cuttings
etc.
Low informational campaign (no information point) for the
Lower Prut River
Poor nature/land governance at local level
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Opportunities
Threats
Romania
Romania
The extension of NATURA 2000 network in the vicinity of the LPF Natural
The hydropower station of Stanca-Costesti in the upper Prut
Park and in Galati County
(total volume: 735 million m3)
The opportunity of ecological restoration programs of the old branches by
Reduction of the environmental public structures following the
reconnecting them with the Prut River/restoration of the floodplain areas.
financial crisis and the policies based on economic interests
Increased funding opportunities through EU funds
Uncontrolled development of human activities in the natural
park vicinity (wind parks, power station, etc.)
Designing, and submission, of a new project by the Park Administration for the
January 2011 Call for Proposals, in the Romanian Sectorial Operational
Natural catastrophes (floods, extended droughts, fires, etc.)
Programme for Environment (SOP Env.)
The abandonment of some ponds in the existing fisheries that
Transfer of experience accumulated by current staff to other potential partners
became nonproductive in the present economic situation
at national level
Lack of funds for compensatory payments
Management of community interest conflict
Already existent man-made threats (poisoned baits, poaching,
Proofs of increased environmental awareness of the local people and their
illegal hunting and timber harvesting etc.) are still persistent
involvement in the environmental conservation activities carried out in the Park
Budget cut for the implementation of river basin management
area
plans program of measures
Good cooperation with other authorities and stakeholders
Conflictual legislative provisions
Tourism development (ecotourism, agro tourism and rural tourism) is a possible
way to develop the area in a more sustainable way
Taking in administration/custody of the natural protected areas along Prut river
Implementation of projects related to the river basin management plan Program
of Measures
Moldova
High potential for a Natural Park or other larger protected category of
protection
Conservation connectivity (e.g. Pan-European Ecological Network)
Increased funding opportunities through EU funds
Competence /Ability to cooperation, co-working and transfer of experience
accumulated by Romanian and/or Ukrainian counterparts (at both
Moldova
Reduction of the environmental public structures following the
financial crisis and the policies based on economic interests
Uncontrolled development of human activities in the area and
negative impact of such activities as oil extraction (oil terminal
built in 2006 in Giurgiulesti), new railroad Cahul-Giurgiulesti
through Manta lake and adjacent wetlands, intention of building
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
national/regional and local levels)
Managing conflict situations and/or of various local interests
Changing the mentality of the local people and encouraging local communities
to get involved in the environmental conservation activities
Launching cooperation with national/local authorities and stakeholders
(including NGOs, business, local groups etc.)
Tourism development (ecotourism, agro tourism and rural tourism) is a possible
way to develop the area in a more sustainable way
Increase governance at local level and law enforcement in a transboundary
context
Improving governance at local level, also of nature (e.g. water/fishery, forest)
conservation legal authorities
an airport near Giurgiulesti
Man-made disasters and illicit activities, such as fires,
pollution, unauthorized grazing etc. (e.g. natural phenomena as
floods and droughts should not be affecting the ecosystems as
they belong to naturalness in the area)
The abandonment of some ponds in the existing fisheries that
became nonproductive in the present economic situation
Lack of funds for local people/group‟s motivation and/or
compensatory payments
Already existent man-made threats (poisoned baits, poaching,
illegal hunting and timber harvesting etc.) are still persistent
Low effectiveness of enforcement of legislation
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ANNEX IV: List of participants
First name
Aftodor
Last Name
Cornelia
Ajder
Andreev
Andrei
Maria
Alexei
Anca Elena
Arcan
Arsene
Viorica
Cristian
Avedic
Mihai Danut
Badarau
Dan
Badarau
Balan
Balasanu
Didel
Valeriu
Marius
Bold
Boldisor
Mihaela
Ionela
Angela
Buhlea
Silvia
Burluc
Chebac
Choudhury
Ciornei
Cristescu
Curelea
Camelia
Eugen
Keya
Constantin
Mihaela
Ramona
Danilescu
Marcel
Daraba
Dorel
Davideanu
Delian
Grigore
Ivan
Dumbraveanu
Andrei
Epure
Florea
Gache
Camelia
Luiza
Carmen
Galupa
Garlea
Dumitru
Cristina
Organization
OI POS Mediu-Regiunea 2 Sud Est
Galati
AO Info Media Centru
Ecological Society BIOTICA
Administration of the Small Island of
Braila Natural Park
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
The Association for Ecology and
Tourism ”PRO ECO-TUR”
The Romanian Ornithological Society
(SOR)
Prut – Barlad Water Basin
Administration
Inspectorate of Border Police Galati
Ministry of Environment Moldova
The Association for Ecology and
Tourism ”PRO ECO-TUR”
The Association for Ecology and
Tourism ”PRO ECO-TUR”
Galati Chamber of Commerce, Industry
and Agriculture
OI POS Mediu-Regiunea 2 Sud Est
Galati
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
Galati County Council
Choudhury Agency
ICAS Bacau
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
The National Administration “Romanian
Waters”
3D Association – Sustainable
Development of the Danube
The County Association of the Sport
Fishermen
The Ecological Society AquaTerra Iasi
Nature Reserve
“Prutul de Jos”
Moldova State University /NGO Ave
Natura
Galati County Council
“Lower Danube” University of Galati
Faculty of Biology from the 'Alexandru
Ioan Cuza' University of Iasi
ICAS Moldsilva
Romanian Academy
Memberstate
Galati-Romania
Cahul- Moldova
Chisinau- Moldova
Braila-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Bucharest-Romania
Iasi- Romania
Galati-Romania
Chisinau- Moldova
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Berlin, Germany
Bacau-Romania
Galati-Romania
Bucharest Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Iasi-Romania
Cahul- Moldova
Chisinau- Moldova
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Iasi- Romania
Chisinau- Moldova
Bucharest -
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gheorghe
Gheorghiu
Valeriu
Sebastian
Gordas
Grigoras
Hârceag
Marcela
Gabriela
Andreea
Hulea
Orieta
Ivanov
Ruxandra
Leonte
Lozan
Mirela
Aurel
Luca
Manolache
Marcu
Mariana
Ionel
Aurora
Meeske
Martina
Miauta
Nela
Moraru
Monica
Nebunu
Novac
Patriche
Artur
Melania
Carmen
Neculai
Patriche
Petrusevschi
Popa
Popa
Gabriela
Daniela
Bogdan
Doina
Proca
Pusch
Dumitru
Martin
Radu
Gina
Rusu
Cristian
Savin
Cristian
Schneider
Serban
Serban
Erika
Madalin
Cecilia
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
Nautical and Mountain Tourism Club
Albatross Galati
Nature Reserve “Prutul de Jos”
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
The Ministry of Environment and Forests
from Romanian
WWF Danube Carpathians Programme
The National Administration “Romanian
Waters”
Eco-Counselling Centre Galati (CCEG)
International Union for the Conservation
of Nature (IUCN)
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
Galati Forest Administration
Commission for the Protection of Nature
Monuments (CMN)
Alfred Toepfer Academy for Nature
Conservation
The Ministry of Environment and Forests
from Romanian
The County Association of the Hunters
and Sport Fishermen
Eco-Counselling Centre Cahul
Administration of the Lower Prut
Floodplain Natural Park
Institute of Research and Development
for Aquatic Ecology, Fishing and
Aquaculture Galati
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
National Environment Center Moldova
Interdevelopment Consulting
Administration of the Lower Prut
Floodplain Natural Park
Moldova Water Authority
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater ecology
and Inland Fisheries (IGB)
The Regional Environmental Protection
Agency – Galati
The National Administration “Romanian
Waters”
The Association for Ecology and
Tourism ”PRO ECO-TUR”
WWF Floodplain Institute
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Cahul- Moldova
Galati-Romania
Bucharest Romania
Bucharest Romania
Bucharest-Romania
Galati-Romania
Praga, Cehia /
Chisinau, Moldova
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Hamburg,
Germania
Bucharest Romania
Galati-Romania
Cahul- Moldova
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
Chisinau- Moldova
Bucharest-Romania
Galati-Romania
Chisinau- Moldova
Berlin, Germany
Galati-Romania
Bucharest-Romania
Galati-Romania
Rasttat, Germany
Galati-Romania
Galati-Romania
NatuRegio_floodplains Training Programme
Transboundary approaches for water and biodiversity management issues in Lower Prut, Danube area
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Stefan
Ion
Stiuca
Romulus
Tabuna
Honoré
Tarigradschi
Tenciu
Valeriu
Magdalena
Timofti
Tatiana
Trombitsky
Vasile
Ilya
Laurentiu
Zaharia
Lacramioara
Zlate
Elena
ANNEX IV: Group photo
Administration of the Lower Prut
Floodplain Natural Park
'Danube Delta' National Institute for
Research and Development
Economic Community of Central African
States (ECCAS / CEEAC)
Ecological Movement of Moldova MEM
Institute of Research and Development
for Aquatic Ecology, Fishing and
Aquaculture Galati
Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Industry Moldova
NGO Eco-Tiras
The Regional Environmental Protection
Agency – Galati
“Ion Borcea” Natural Science Complex
Museum
Natural Sciences Museum Complex
Galati-Romania
TulceaRomania
Gabon
Chisinau- Moldova
Galati- Romania
Chisinau-Moldova
Chisinau- Moldova
Galati-Romania
Bacau-Romania
Galati-Romania