2 nd International Conference Graz October, 10 th 2012

1. Transboundary Issue Dr Eng. Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas Dr Iwona Zdralewicz Dr Iwona Lejcuś 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 PPs PP6 Poland, Institute of Meteorology and Water Managment (IMGW-PIB) PP2 Greece, Region of Western Macedonia (RWM) PP8 Germany, Saxony State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG)

2. Institute of Meteorology and Water Management - National Research Institute (IMGW-PIB) is a research and development unit established in 1972. IMGW-PIB since 90 years operates in support of public sector as well as commercial firms and offers various services and expertises in the field of meteorology and hydrology. The meteorological and hydrological network covers over 2300 measurements and observing stations located across the country. The Institute fulfils governmental tasks in forecasting and warning against hazardous meteorological and hydrological general support, that for civil aviation, water management and fishery and other national economy sectors. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012

3. Main tasks of the Institute include scientific and development activities as well as state services in the following domains: 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • meteorology • hydrology • water management and engineering • water resources quality • environment protection

4. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 The geographical situation of Poland causes, that about 42 % of state border runs by boundary waters, dominateboundary rivers, which length is 1281 km. The Republic of Poland (RP), cooperates on the boundary waters with all seven neighboring countries: Federal Republic of Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic andUkraine, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Lithuania and the Russian Federation.

5. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Concern about water quality and flood protection requires formal and legal regulations, and cooperation on boundary waters with neighboring countries. In order to ensure proper water management, quality and quantity monitoring, as well as the protection of society against the effects of extreme phenomena, Poland is interested in close cooperation with neighboring countries, which is also the responsibility of the country resulting from the Water Framework Directive.

6. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Bilateral cooperation on boundary waters in the field of water management is governed by independentcontracts and agreements between the governments of bordering countries. Theseagreements relate to the boundary waters, understood as sections of water courses which run along the state border, standing waters and groundwater flowing from the territory of one country to the territory of the other at the intersection with the state boundary line.

7. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 SHARP project partner, Institute of Meteorology and Water Management National Research Institute Wrocław Branch (PP6)is actively involved in bilateral cooperation on boundary waters with Germany and the Czech Republic and International Commission for the Protection of the Odra River.

8. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • Bilateralcross-bordercooperation between Poland and the several countries is based on: • developing the annual work plans, • schedules, • and their successive and timely fulfillment. • The implementation of plans is supervised by bilateral committees, which work is supervised by competent ministers. Tasks on both sides of the border are realized by working groups composed of research units, specialized institutions and offices with a similar profile of activity.

9. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Due to involvement of IMGW-PIB in the activities related to cooperation on boundary waters, the adaptation Transboundary Issue was proposed, which aim was to develop recommendations and guidelines for solving cross-border problems and to create a common model of cooperation in cross-border areas. Adaptation has been developed jointly with a partner PP8 and PP2. IMGW-PIB prepared a working structure for adaptation.

10. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Development of adaptation was made ​​according to the following points Identification of legal basis and existing cooperation principles in PPs countries. Description and analysis of the scope of cooperation in PPs countries. Characteristics of the main problems and benefits of border cooperation in water management Description and characteristics of the problems during implementation the Water Framework Directive Examples of the jointly developed projects concerning the issues of groundwater management on transboundary water. Collection and summary of cross-border problems Develop of recommendations, guidelines and a common model for cooperation on transboundary waters.

11. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 PP 8 Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology is also actively involved in bilateral cooperation on transboundary waters with Poland and Czech Republic. Participates also in the work of the international commissions like: International Commision for the Protection of the Oder (ICPO) International Commision for the Protection of the Elbe River (ICPE) ICPO Poland (89%) Czech Republic (5,4%) Germany (4,7%) ICPE Germany (65,5 %) Czech Republic (33,7 %) Austria (0,6 %) Poland (0,2 %)

12. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 PP 2 Region of Western Macedonia - in this region main transboundary water resources are Lake Prespa and aquifers. The Prespa Lake is a natural area of international importance with geomorphological, ecological, biodiversity and cultural significance. Greece has signed an agreement (but not yet ratified) with Georgia, FYROM and Albania, covering issues related tosustainable management of transboundary waters, and monitoring of water pollution. Greece and Albania have also signed an agreement on the Establishment of a Greek-Albanian Commission on Transboundary Freshwater Issues.

13. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Main most important characteristics of transboundary issues are: • Common approach and Joint Management Plans; • Identifying common objectives, principles and definitions; • Common management tools and measure programs; • Calculation of the water balance of the whole transboundarybasin; • Inventory of current and future water needs in the transboundarybasin; • Ensuring cooperation between countries with the necessary institutional andlegal arrangements; • Recording οf the current state of the environment; • Development and adaptation of a management model to manage the quantityand quality of water resources taking under consideration the cooperation principals of all countries involved; • Promotion of economic and environmental cooperation in the region.

14. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Transboundary Issue is most relevant for all partners but especially for PP6 and PP8. Both partners are mostly involved in the work on several international and transboundary commision. PP6 and PP8 since many years have worked together on bilateral cooperation on the Odra basin. At present, the cooperation in the scope of watermanagement on the boundary waters with the Federal Republicof Germanyis based on work plans and schedules of their realization which are prepared annually. The realization of these tasks is managed bilaterally by the Committees supervised by the Ministers. Specific tasks included in the work plan are realized by specialist working groups approved by the Committee. The tasks on both sides of the border within the working groups are carried out by specialist institutions or scientific-research units.

15. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • Generally, bilateral cooperation between PP6 and PP8 includes: • hydrology, hydrogeology, water management and flood management, • planning in the scope of water management, navigation, and transboundary hydraulic construction, • maintenance of rivers, regulation, and hydraulic construction, • sewage and water management and water quality • All issues and problems related to water management on the boundary waters are discussed during the annual plenary meetings which agenda includes the assessment and recapitulation of the works carried out in the previous years and works planned in the next year in individual groups.The first and the most important document prepared in working groups is “Rules of cooperation” which specifies the scope and forms of cooperation.

16. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Exemple of good cooperation are schems of international and bilateral commision in which paricipate PP6 and PP8. The ICPO is divided into several working groups that deal with different priorities

17. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Example of good cooperation are schems of international and bilateral commision in which paricipate PP6 and PP8. The ICPE is divided three working groups and these in different groups of experts Observer Poland/Austria

18. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Exemple of good cooperation are schems of international and bilateral commision in which paricipate PP6 and PP8. The German-Polish transboundary water commision was founded in 1992 and is divided into several working groups

19. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 The benefit of this adaptation is common model of cooperation, recommendations and guidelines for solving of transboundary problems. This model and experience PP6 and PP8 on the transboundary cooperation can be useful for PP2 and all partners for good cooperation and solving transboundary problems.

20. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Proposal for workingstructure of transboundarycooperation Threats of groudwaterresources Othergroups Flood Accidentalpollution COMMISSION Advisorymembers MINISTRY Representative of the governmentHeads of dalegations Secretariat Cooperationagreement in the boundarywaterssigned by the Head of State WORKING GROUPS Rules of workinggroupscooperations EXPERTS GROUPS OR TEMPORARY GROUPS WFD implementation Waterquality Waterresources management Maitenance Hydrogeology Hydrology

21. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • Proposal of guidelines for good cooperation on the transboundary waters • Establishing cooperation ontransboundary waters with the relevant institutions, experts, etc. • Exchange of information on: the quantitative and qualitative water resources state, planned investments in the border area and discussionabout conflicts and problems. • Developing and signing a joint agreement on the management of transboundary water resources. • The creation of the committee which will be responsible for the implementation of the statements contained in the agreement • Appointment of members of committee, permanent and temporaryworking groups, and externalexperts. • Establishingrules for cooperation • Establishing a schedule of meetings of committee, working groups and expert groups • Preparing reports on the progress of the committee and workinggroupsoperations • Implementation of common projects in order to solve the current problems.

22. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • Main benefits of the transboundary cooperation are: • Economic growth. Reconcile the demands of different sectors for socio-economic development • Environmental protection across ecosystems can be regarded as a whole and not partially • More effective flood-drought management • Achievement of ecological stability of transboundary water resources • Facilitating more effective research in the field of biodiversity values, natureconservation and economic prosperity • Bringing economic benefits to local economy,

23. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • Steps for a potentiallysuccessfulimplementation • Establishing a legal basis for cooperation in cross-border regions and the signing of a cooperation agreement • The creation of appropriate structures and institutions at regional, national and cross-borderlevels determining the sustainable development and management of transboundary waters • Intensification of cooperation between countries through meetings and exchange of experience • The creation of a joint integrated management of transboundary basins in accordance with the requirements of the WFD – international committees • The exchange of information and joint monitoring and evaluation of water resources in the cross-border area • Localcommunityparticipation

24. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 • Main problems on the implemetation of Transboundary Issue • Different laws, policies and protected areas systems and powers of management authorities • Different political and administrative structure • Different stages of economic development and policy • Difficult terrain, inaccessibility and lack of transport • National, political, or cultural differences - misunderstanding • Language barriers • Different Know-How, technology and technical standards • Different funding regulations

25. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 How we can problems approached on implemantation of Transboubndary Issue. Experience has shown that in the development of cooperation, it is usually positive to adopt a step-by-step approach. This approach contributes to the establishment of mutual confidence. If cooperation seems a better alternative than non-co-operation, transboundary water management will progress. Traditionally, transboundary water resources management in Europe is started with the development and implementation of international “agreements”.

26. 2nd International Conference GrazOctober, 10th 2012 Thankyou for yourattention ! Contact: IMGW –PIB Branchin Wrocław 30 Parkowa Street 51-616 Wrocław tel.: +48 (071) 328 28 07 mariusz.adynkiewicz@imgw.pl www.imgw.pl