Restoration of hydrological system in the Middle basin of Biebrza Valley, Poland

General

National Id:

Poland_03

Site name:

Middle basin of Biebrza Valley

Summary:

The aim of the EC LIFE programme's co-financed project is to improve the conditions for the protection of water habitats in the Middle Basin of the Biebrza Valley by: controlled management and irrigation of the area in order to stop the degradation processes of hydrogenic habitats within the water system of the Rudzki Canal – the Ełk River – the Jegrznia River – the Woźnawiejski Canal; creating habitat conditions for avifauna of open marshlands. One of the project activity is to build water constructions to support water retention particularly in dry years. The phase I of the restoration activities will be accomplished by 2016. Additionally, phase II has been also already launched.

NUTS Code:

Podlaskie

RBD code:

PL2000

Transboundary:

NWRM(s) implemented in the case study:

Basins and ponds

Longitude:

22.734504

Latitude:

53.602265

Site information

Climate zone:

cool temperate dry

Mean rainfall:

615

Mean rainfall unit:

mm/year

Average temperature:

6.7

Type:

Case Study Info

Light or indepth?:

Light

Monitoring maintenance

Monitoring impacts effects:

Monitoring parameters:

hydromorphological, vegitation and birds

Performance

Performance impact estimation method:

Edge of Field/Plot

Performance impact estimation information:

the methods involves field works, setting up monitoring sites for hydrological measurements

Biophysical impacts

Increased groundwater level:

0.4

Information on Increased groundwater level:

While the groun water level in the river is estimated to be increased, the growundwater level in the vicinity of channel will decrease.

Water quality overall improvements:

Neutral impact-no change in WQ status

Information on Water quality overall improvements:

The area is haveing minor economic activities, therefore change in water qyality is not monitored.

Lessons, risks, implications...

Key lessons:

The project is in implementation phase, the conclusions will be made in 2016.

Success factor(s):

Type	Role	Comments
		The project is still in the implementation phase

Financing:

Type	Comments
EU-funds: LIFE+	LIFE09 NAT/PL/000258

Barrier:

Type	Role	Comments
Legal obligations / restrictions	main barrier	The long time of preparing the relevant papers to undertake investment and construction works

Driver:

Type	Role	Comments
Legal obligations	main driver	to protect biodiversity in the Park area
Availability of subsidies	main driver	LIFE+ funding provides co-financing for such activities

Financing share:

Share type	Share	Comments
European funds	50
National funds	50

Socio-economic

Costs total information:

The LIFE+ project budget for the phase I (2010-2016) is 3 658 824 EUR. There is also a follow-up LIFE+ project granted (Phase II, 2014-2018) - 6 641 806 €

Ecosystem improved biodiversity:

Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity:

Although the monitoring results are not yet available, the area is very valuable for waterfowls.

Policy, general governance and design targets

Policy description:

The main environmental problem is caused by a network of draining canals built in XIXth century under Russian Tsar administration which significantly lowered ground water table of neighbouring peatlands and changed habitat conditions in the region of two rivers – Jegrznia and Ełk as well as two canals: Rudzki and Woźnawiejski.

Part of wider plan:

Policy pressure:

Policy requirement directive:

Policy impact:

Policy wider plan:

Wider plan type	Wider plan focus	Name	Comments
		Local spatial plan of Goniądz

Policy area:

Policy target:

Target purpose
Improved Biodiversity
Increase Water Storage
Runoff control

Design & implementations

Application scale:

River Basin

Performance timescale:

1 - 4 years

Area (ha):

9000

Design contractual arrangement:

Design consultation activity:

Activity stage	Name	Key issues	Comments
Other	yes		To implement the measures, the local spatial plan had to be ammended. Therefore SEA study was implemented, including public consultation.

Design land use change:

Design authority:

Authority type	Role	Responsibility	Name	Comments
Regional / sub-national water authority	Other		Biebrza National Park	Planning of measures and implementing

Last updated: 10 Nov 2014 | Top

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Restoration of hydrological system in the Middle basin of Biebrza Valley, Poland

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