5,500+ scientists call on European Commission to defend the EU water law

6th of Décember , an open letter from 5,500+ scientists was sent to Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Sinkevičius, calling on them to “save and implement the Water Framework Directive” in order to halt and reverse the catastrophic decline in freshwater biodiversity.  Congratulations to all signatories for this commitment!
It is still possible to join the statement and sign.

NGOs and Living Rivers Europe Coalition reaction

“Scientists and academics concerned by the dire state of European rivers, lakes and wetlands have released a statement calling on the EU to fully implement and enforce its own water law – the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) – in order to halt and reverse the catastrophic decline in the world’s freshwater biodiversity.

The statement has been endorsed by twelve scientific bodies representing over 5,000 scientists, and nearly 500 individual scientists specialising in the wide array of species impacted by the WFD – from amphibians to insects, freshwater fishes to birdlife. The scientists include Dr. Jörg Freyhof, Regional Chair of the IUCN/WI Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, and Professor Carlos Garcia de Leaniz, Director of Swansea University’s Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Research.

The statement was released earlier today alongside an op-ed for Euractiv by Professor Steven Weiss – a freshwater biodiversity expert at the University of Graz and one of the statement’s signatories.

The statement describes the WFD as a critical tool for ensuring that Europe has “healthy and resilient freshwater bodies to support people and nature, today and in the future”, stressing that ‘There cannot be an effective European Green Deal without healthy freshwater ecosystems at the heart of it’. The statement is released as the European Commission is in the final stages of a standard evaluation of the WFD – known as a “fitness-check” – which is designed to assess whether the law is still relevant and fit for purpose. The final conclusions of this evaluation are expected next week.

Andreas Baumüller, Head of Natural Resources at  WWF’s European Policy Office, said:
“EU Member States and business lobbies have been using the fitness-check of the Water Framework Directive to push for weaker environmental standards. The European Commission’s silence has been deafening, and it has continued to allow the impact of the WFD to be gutted by poor implementation and abuse of exemptions. We hope this massive call from thousands of scientists acts as a final wake-up call for the Commission: This law is the right tool to protect Europe’s rivers, any watering down of it would put the European Green Deal in serious jeopardy.”

ENDS

Contact:
Alexandra Chevalier
WWF European Policy Office
achevalier@wwf.eu
0032 48449 4354

Claire Baffert
Senior Water Policy Officer
WWF European Policy Office
0032 49273 1092

24-26 sept : Seminary “Selune revival” : great success !

From Septemebr 24-26  will be held a International seminary on the large scale damremoval and the revival of the Sélune Valey in Rennes/Avranches (Mont aint Michel) ; It is the 5th international symposium on the restoration of ecological continuity of rivers!
The conference, will bring together 200 people from 20 different countries as well as from the Sélune River region … !!

> more informations about the event and the organisation

> Read Press Release (French Only)

 

Rhine : Commission urges FRANCE to step up efforts to restore the ecological flow of the Rhine River

Photo : Copyright EDF

 

Commission urges FRANCE to step up efforts to restore the ecological flow of the Rhine River

The Commission is calling on Franceto comply with its obligations under EU law (the Water Framework Directive, Directive 2000/60/EC. The Commission urges the French authorities to improve the condition of the Rhine River on its territory to ensuring ecological continuity, namely allowing fish species to migrate beyond dams. Under the Directive, adopted in October 2000, Member States agreed to take measures to ensure that water bodies achieve good ecological status by 2015. EU countries have to comply with a number of conditions set out in the EU legislation, regarding biodiversity, pollution, and natural flow. The deadline may be extended under certain conditions, but the Commission is concerned that France has not provided sufficient justifications for postponing the date of compliance. In addition, the French authorities have not provided a timetable with a programme for meeting these EU norms. France now has two months to address the Commission’s concerns. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/EN/INF_19_4251

Remember : ERN supported by the international Salmon Comeback Coalition (NGOs)  filed an EU complaint against France end of 2018 . ERNs complaint is directed at France due to the infringement of the Water Frame Directive

> Visite the salmoncomeback Campaign Website

Logo ERN, petit format

RIVERS in the spotlight in the latest issue of RELIEFS magazine

Magazine RELIEFS – Cover n°9, dedicated to the rivers

Do you know the French Magazine “Reliefs” ? His latest issue (9) is devoted to the rivers!
Contents : anatomy and pathologies of the rivers, living with the river, shared rivers: awakening upstream, interview with Erik Orsenna, illustrated literary extracts, endangered species, the longest rivers in the world, river turbines , tidings, reading tips, movies, music …

ERN France, through its president, R. Epple, had the honor and the pleasure of writing the forum, which you can find on line at (in French only) : https://reliefseditions.com/fleuves/

As always, the Reliefs folder is extended in old maps, notebooks, serigraphs, prints and educational coloring on fauna and flora. >> Read more about Reliefs magazine

 

France: Biggest dam removal in European history started

Photo : Copyright Vincent M.

 

Sélune River, Normandy, France – In a historic moment for Europe’s rivers, the first, irreparable breach was made today in the 36 metre high Vezins Dam – kick-starting the biggest dam removal in Europe so far.

This landmark event is part of a long-term project to free the Sélune River, and bring salmon, eels and other wildlife back to the river and the famous bay of Mont-Saint-Michel – a UNESCO world heritage site and one of Europe’s prime tourist attractions.

Along the Sélune River in Normandy, the removal of two old, obsolete dams over the next two years – the Vezins and La Roche Qui Boit— will open up 90 km of river, improving water quality, allowing migratory salmon to return to their ancient spawning grounds and benefiting people and nature all along the river.

“The removal of the Vezins Dam signals a revolution in Europe’s attitude to its rivers: instead of building new dams, countries are rebuilding healthy rivers and bringing back biodiversity,” says Roberto Epple, president of European Rivers Network and 2018 Euronatur Award recipient. “Nature can recover remarkably quickly when dams are removed and I look forward to watching salmon swimming past Mont St Michel and spawning in the headwaters of the Sélune for the first time since my grandparents were young.”

Historically, the Sélune River was home to salmon that travelled from the river mouth, near Mont Saint Michel, upstream to mate and lay eggs. However, construction of these two dams stopped the salmon from migrating and this effectively stopped the recreational and commercial harvest of them as populations collapsed. The removal of these dams will help to bring more wildlife and biodiversity back to the river along with other recreational and touristic opportunities.

Artificial barriers (dams) are one of the biggest threats to river ecosystems, resulting in river fragmentation and loss of habitat connectivity. They stop the natural flow of sediments downstream and affect migratory fishes from travelling up- or downstream to complete their lifecycles. These impediments often lead to the decrease or decimation of native fish populations and can harbour other, non-native species in their adjacent impoundments. A new study in Naturerevealed just one-third of the world’s longest rivers remain free-flowing with river “fragmentation and flow regulation are the leading contributors to the loss of river connectivity.”

Globally, freshwater species populations have declined by 83% on average since 1970. The recently approved Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reportspecifically recommends conserving and restoring river connectivity to boost freshwater biodiversity. As prescribed by the Water Framework Directive (WFD), each of Europe’s rivers must attain a ‘good’ ecological status and yet 40% of rivers fall short. Removal of old, obsolete dams is a viable option to help reach WFD goals, reconnect and restore rivers and allow fish populations and other wildlife to return and flourish. In fact, many countries in Europe are now removing dams as the economic, environmental and social benefits of doing so far outweigh the alternative of restoring the dam.

It is estimated that over 3,500 barriers have been removed across Europe including the biggest dam removal in Spain last year and an ongoing historical river restoration project in Estonia that will remove 8-10 dam and open up 3,300km of river basin. Moreover, European citizens are also donating funds to see these barriers go as a part of a larger dam removal crowdfunding campaign.

“There are tens of thousands of old, obsolete dams in Europe that can and should be removed,” says Arjan Berkhuysen, managing director of the World Fish Migration Foundation.  “We are hopeful that by removing not only big dams like this but also by removing small barriers through local efforts we can restore these important life sources.”

The unique project will measure the effects of dam removal with ten-years worth of environmental data.

More information :  https://www.ern.org/en/selune-libre/

Dowload Press Release here

##

Notes for Editors:

Photographs of the dam and start of its removal are available here, please respect the copyrights.

Contact:
Roxanne Diaz, WFMF Communications Officer, Mob +31 (0) 6 18918786 Email: roxanne@fishmigration.org
Roberto Epple, Chairman ERN European Rivers Network / Friends of the Sélune, Mob. +33 6  08 62 12 67 , Email : roberto.epple@ern.org

Dam Removal Europe The Dam Removal Europe initiative aims to connect local dam removal projects, stakeholders and organizations to better highlight and disseminate the positive impacts dam removal provides for rivers. It is an initiative that allows relevant specialists share knowledge and inspire new visions for a free-flowing Europe. Dam Removal Europe better enables support and guidance for future dam removal projects under the umbrella of the European Dam Removal movement.

ERN European Rivers Network > www.ern.org  ERN is an NGO engaged in the preservation and sustainable management of water and rivers. ERN is based in France and is Freshwater-Partner of WWF France.

New report by WWF / TNC : “Connected and flowing : a renewable future for rivers, climate and people”

13th of May,  WWF and TNC launched a major report on the accelerating the renewable revolution in Paris,  just before the opening of the WorldHydropower Congress.
This report “Connected and Flowing: a renewable future for rivers, the climate and people” shows how for the first time global climate (keep warming below 1.5 degrees) and energy goals (provide power to the 1 billion people who currently lack access), without sacrificing the world’s remaining free flowing rivers – wich deliver a number of critical ecosystem services.

 The report is a collaboration between WWF,TNC, IUCN, the Stimson Center, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Los Angeles, Manchester University and Stanford University Woods Institute for the Environment.

> More infos on the WWF Site

Demonstration against dam greenwashing in Paris

In the context of the World Hydropower Congress in Paris (14-15 May), Extinction Rebellion and Planète Amazone are calling to demonstrate in Paris
14 MAI 2019, 12h at the
ESPLANADE DE LA DÉFENSE – ESPACE GRANDE ARCHE 92800 PUTEAUX
in Paris.

NGOs statement – Paralell event to the World Hydropower Congress in Paris

On May 13, NGOS from the Civil Society organized a parallel event to this Wolrd hydro Congress, to press where it hurts by asking the question : ” Hydroelectric Dams : solution or obstacle for delivering the Paris climate agreement and sustainale development goals ?”.

 

 

 

 

Photo Hasankeyf

The World Hydropower Congress in Paris, 14-16 May continues to portray large hydroelectric dams as green

The World Hydropower Congress in Paris, 14-16 May continues to portray large hydroelectric dams as green and a clean source of energy . Organized by the industrial lobby of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) in partnership with UNESCO, the conference’s title reads, “Delivering the Paris Climate Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals”.
> more on the official site

Remember that 20 years ago, the World Commission on Dams had already published a framework document, advocating practices that respect human rights and ecology. It was the result of a international workgroup with representant of the Worldbank, Dambuilders, Environmental NGOs and dam affected people.

This text has unfortunately never been applied by hydropower industry who have chosen to redefine their own criteria and have blowen all the rest away in favour of their “Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol”, which itself is rarely applied …

URGENT CALL TO NGOs : Sign the appeal to save the wild Vjosa River in Albania

Urgent Call by EuroNatur, Riverwatch and EcoAlbania

Dear colleagues,
one of Europe’s last wild rivers needs your help: The Vjosa River and her tributaries in Albania are at risk of being dammed by more than 40 hydropower plants (HPPs). 

Currently, the major threat is HPP Kalviaç, which is planned within the ecologically most valuable river stretch. The concessionary company (the joint venture “AYEN-ALB”, a consortium of Albanian company “Fusha sh.p.k” and the Turkish AYEN ENERJI”) is pushing to conduct the entire EIA procedure within the next three months – a ridiculously short timespan for a project of such size (dam height: 43 meters; reservoir area: 16 km.; installed capacity: 111 MW). 

In the frame of our campaign “Save the Blue Heart of Europe”, we as EuroNatur, Riverwatch and EcoAlbania have been fighting for Vjosa’s protection for the last six years in order to prevent the worst. Now, we need your support by signing the attached appeal letter to Albania’s Prime Minster, Edi Rama, to immediately suspend all hydropower developments in the Vjosa catchment until a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment has been elaborated. 

NGOs willing to sign the statement, please send the full name of your NGO, the full name of the head of your organization, incl. his/her correct position(e.g. CEO, Director, …), and the country (where your NGO is based) to Besjana Guri, b.guri@ecoalbania.org 

The letter will be sent from EuroNatur, Riverwatch and EcoAlbania to Albania’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama.

Appeal

Dear Prime Minister Edi Rama, 

Hydropower developments at the Vjosa continue to be supported by the Albanian government despite all scientific findings confirming the conservation value of the unique eco-system of the Vjosa river. We are particularly concerned about the ongoing implementation process for the hydropower plant Kalivaç (HPP Kalivaç): the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Study for the project is scheduled to be conducted within approximately three months – an unrealistic timespan to prepare a profundal EIA for a project of such size. 

The Albanian government supports the implementation of HPP Kalivaç, despite the fact that international institutions – amongst them the European Commission and the European Parliament – have been criticizing these developments repeatedly. The Recommendations of the Bern Convention to suspend HPP Kalivaç until the necessary strategic planning and additional assessments are carried out are not respected by the Albanian government either. 

Including the above mentioned HPP Kalivac, we have evidence of 45 hydropower plants projected in the Albanian Vjosa catchment alone: 8 at the Vjosa main course and 37 at her tributaries. 

The Vjosa River is one of Europe’s last big free-flowing rivers without any artificial obstacles along her entire Albanian course of about 200 km. The river’s intactness makes her a hotspot for many endangered European species and habitats. As such, the Vjosa is a natural heritage of pan-European importance, holding huge potentials for alternative sustainable developments like ecotourism. 

We, the national and international environmental organizations, call on you, Prime Minister Edi Rama to immediately suspend all ongoing hydropower developments in the Vjosa catchment until a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment and an integrated River Basin Management plan, which takes into account social aspects, particularly the potential of ecotourism, has been elaborated.

 

 

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