International Conference on Sustainable Hydropower in the Dinaric Arc 07 Ocober 2009 Hotel Lapad, Dubrovnik, Croatia
1997 WWF first projects in the region (small grants) 2009 team of 8 people (4 freshwater), 9 projects approx. 3,7 mil Active in HR, BiH, MN, AL, SE Dinaric Arc Initiative launched in 2005 3 priority basins: Cetina, Neretva, Skadar
Amphibians Fish
Dragonflies Reptiles
Biodiversity Loss (State) Threats (Pressure) Root Causes (Drivers) Fragmentation of river systems Changing hydrological and flow regimes Loss of freshwater species Changing natural processes Water infrastructure development, water regulation Wetland reclamation for agriculture Industrial, domestic, agriculture pollution Increased energy demand (nationally and internationally) Lack of conventional sources of energy (petroleum, coal and gas) Need / desire to increase agricultural production Insufficient systems of PAs Lack or not enforced institutional setting for IRBM
Hydropower = 43 % of region energy consumption (2004) Scarcity of conventional sources of energy (petroleum, coal and gas) Consumption needs matched through imports Good hydropower potential (steep canyons, fast-flowing rivers, high precipitation levels under normal conditions) Significant solar and wind energy potential, not yet explored Energy efficiency is very low due to: obsolete generation, transmission and distribution
Hydropower development Increased energy production & Increased habitat/species loss* *32% of of freswhater fishes in the Med are threatened by dams construction (IUCN, 2006)
A range of measures to enhance the sustainability of hydropower development: 1. Careful strategic planning that spares precious natural areas ( no go rivers ) 2. Adequate design and operation of water infrastructure. By adopting environmental standards at any stage (e.g. ensuring environmental flows which limit impacts on nature)
1. Neretva basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina ) 2. Cetina basin, Livanjsko polje (Bosnia and Herzegovina ) 3. National level in Bosnia and Herzegovina 4. Skadar lake (Montenegro and Albania) 5. Sustainable standards of dam investors
On going: 1. Neretva river (basin) practical e-flow assessment of a key wetland (technical approach) 2. Livanjsko polje sustainable criteria of development, including energy production via an eco-canton 3. Bosnia and Herzegovina (national) support the development of a byblaw for e-flow application (legal approach) 4. Skadar lake e-flow assessment of Skadar lake to propose sustainable measures application to hydropower development (technical approach)
Mediterranean sea
Assess biodiversity values and their ecological needs + Understand the hydrology (surface + underground) of the basin Identify prescribed water regime + Identify potential for changing dam operation to secure ecological needs + Discussion with dam operators
Sustainable development criteria developed (water management, agriculture, tourism, nature resource management, etc.) Cantonal government on board Municipalities under consultation Parliament adoption
New water law asks for development of a sublaw for securing an ecological flow WWF MedPO is working with water agencies to develop guidelines for securing environmental flow A working group is set up under the final supervision of BiH authorities (WWF technical expertise and coordination)
Whether or not an EFA is necessary What level of EFA is necessary What steps should be followed to initiate an EFA What resources (data, time and money) and expertise are required to develop different levels of EFA What steps should be followed to complete the EFA Criteria for environmental objectives How the EFA process fit into the overall water management process What policies and regulatory provisions are relevant with respect to EFA How public participation can be incorporated into the decision making process
4. Skadar lake Mediterranean sea
Aim: Assess natural water regime of Skadar lake and Morača river Predict the impact on water fluctuation of the lake of future hydrotechnical infrastructures Outcome: Impacts identied and data provided to decision makers and technicians
Aim : Assess ecological needs related to water regime of priority taxa Assess main taxa conservation status, sensitive areas, priorities Outcome: Relevant information to decision making available
.Hvala