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Living Rivers Coalition publishes its briefing paper on the natural connectivity of rivers and natural functions of the related floodplains

Freshwater ecosystems are one of the most degraded in Europe, with freshwater molluscs and fish the two most threatened animal groups  and 60% of surface waters failing to reach good ecological status. The fitness check of the Water Framework Directive concluded that the main reasons for failure are for a large part connected to insufficient measures to tackle diffuse pollution coming from agriculture, and the hydromorphological changes affecting water bodies. Restoring freshwater ecosystems is therefore a necessity to sustain the natural functions of rivers, lakes and wetlands. Only with healthy, biodiverse water bodies can we allow nature to thrive, ensure clean and sufficient water supply, and resilience to climate change impacts.

read the complet document : > FINAL LRE briefing – freshwater – NRL

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Next days : World Rivers day and European River Summit

In the next few days, rivers will once again be in the international spotlight.
On 25 September, a large number of river events will be organised in over 100 countries and the European River Summit will take place frim Sept 29 – Oct 1 in Brussels. ERN will also be part of the programme.

> more info World Rivers Day
> more info European Rivers Summit

Sélune River / France : The salmon is back !

France / Sélune River : Only 4 weeks after the demolition of the Roche qui boit dam and 2 years after Vezin’s demolition, a first salmon was already electronically located upstream of the construction sites !

more information on the dam removals on the Sélune River !

France/Sélune River : the large Roche qui boit dam removed

– The “La Roche qui boit” dam has been removed!
After many postponements, the second 17-metre high dam “La Roche qui boit” on the Sélune has been demolished. A 45-metre wide breach has already been opened to allow the flow of any floods. The remaining sides of the 120 m wide structure and the renaturation work should be completed by the end of 2022. After the demolition of the 37 m high Vezins dam two years ago, the ecological continuity of the historic salmon river Sélune is now restored after about 100 years. In the main river alone, more than 60 km are free and allow access to former spawning sites. Salmons could swim up the Sélune from the Baie Saint Michel during the next salmon migration, at the latest in spring 2023. Two castillons (salmon that have only spent one year at sea) have already been observed by specialists just downstream of the “Roche qui boit”. The campaign for a free Sélune led by associations including ERN, the French Fishing Federation, FNE and others will have lasted 20 years. A great success!

 

Copyright : ERN – Roberto Epple

> more information 

 

Open Rivers programme funds the removal of small barriers in Europe : Apply before January 5, 2022

1 million barriers fragment Europe’s rivers, contributing to the decline of biodiversity and the deterioration of water quality. The AMBER EU project has revealed that the barriers less than 2 m high represent 68% of all the barriers in Europe, and that their removal is more effective environmentally and better accepted by the population than the removal of large barriers.

The Arcadia Foundation is involved in river restoration based on the AMBER EU study. To this end, the Open Rivers programme was created in October 2021 and will fund numerous small-scale barrier removal projects in Europe until 2023. ERN is involved in the programme as a member of the “Dam Removal Europe” network, which is among the managers of the programme.

The 1st application round is open from November 19, 2021 to January 5, 2022. The funding will be allocated in priority to removal works but also to complementary actions such as studies. To be eligible to funding, organisations must be of general interest (local communities, researchers …). The criteria and procedure for applying are presented on the Open rivers website, as well as the guide for applicants and the application platform. Among the main selection criteria, barriers must be less than 2 m high ; the removal works must be completed after one year; the ecological gains are significant and the local managers approve the project.

ERN is directly involved in the program by disseminating information, by following the proposals and the selected projects in France and by providing support to applicants. If you want advice or support to submit your application, contact us: emma.liberati(at)rivernet.org / 04 71 05 57 88

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OpenRivers : New Call for Expressions of Interest – deadline for new submissions – 8th July 2022

Call for Expressions of Interest – deadline for new submissions – 8th July 2022

 

The European Open Rivers Programme is inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) for project submissions for dam removal preparatory and demolition projects that fall under grant categories A and B. The EoI must be submitted online via the programme’s Grant Management System by 17:00 CET on 8th July 2022.

For more information about the application eligibility criteria, grant types, application process and guidelines, and how applications will be assessed, please visit our Application Resources webpage.

ERN (European Rivers Network) is coordinating and supporting all applys from France and french speaking regions. Contact us : contact@erninfo.net

7th Dam Removal Europe seminar

ANP|WWF Portugal, World Fish Migration Foundation, Wetlands International and The Nature Conservancy invite you to the 7th Dam Removal Europe seminar, an event that will be held, for the first time, in Lisbon, Portugal, where the dam removal process is starting.

This time, the objective is to increase the general commitment and know-how on dam removal, to make it as effective as possible and to initiate new funding mechanisms and policy changes. Speakers from Europe and beyond will share their best practices.

The event will consist of a two-day conference and a third day devoted to a field trip to a river restoration site. The seminar is part of the global celebrations of World Fish Migration Day and one of the highlights will be the Portuguese premiere of the documentary DAMBUSTERS.

ERN, official partner, will participate in the event with a live broadcast on the Romanche river where Roberto Epple, president of the association, will present the destruction of 4 dams on this river.

You will meet river basin authorities, ministries, mayors, political decision makers, European project managers, water agencies, companies, engineers, researchers, students, social experts and the public interested in free flowing rivers.

To register and access the program, click here!

 

 

Visit of the “Nouveau Poutès” dam organized by SOS Loire Vivante on May 21

On the occasion of the World Migratory Fish Day on May 21, SOS Loire vivante and EDF invite you to explore this exemplary site.
After many years of partial leveling and reconfiguration work, the result of our struggle, the site is now finished. By opening two huge gates, it allows migratory fish to pass through for 3 months a year, the rest of the year the water is turbined while respecting a minimum flow of 5m3/s for the Allier between Poutès and Monistrol d’Allier.
Reserve your place as soon as possible