To deliver practical example when implementing both EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Natura 2000, UNDP/GEF supported the project “Integration of Ecosystem Management Principles and Practices into Land and water Management of Laborec-Uh region”.
Activities relating to the development of the Čierna voda RBMP are carried out by the implementation agency – Slovak Water Management Enterprise Žilina (SVP), branch Bodrog and Hornád Basin. Costs related to development of RBMP are covered by SVP as part of cofinancing. This activity is also supported by the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) and Water Research Institute (VUVH). It is the first pilot Water Management Plan elaborated within Slovakia, which provides opportunities for further application in other River Basins in Slovakia.
The Water Framework Directive (WFD) takes an Ecosystem Approach, explicitly demanding that water resource management considers the whole river basin, without stopping at administrative boundaries. A key component of the Water Framework Directive is development of river basin management plans which will be reviewed on a six yearly basis and which set out the actions required within each river basin to achieve environmental quality objectives.
The project team, in a close cooperation with stakeholders in the river basin, worked on the development of a River Basin Management (RBM) Plan together with the elaboration of the Integrated Local Development Strategy.
Preparatory works included research of available studies provided by Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) and Water Research Institute (VUVH), survey of the channel system and revision of its functionality consultations with Slovak Technical University on possibilities for floodplain restoration using existing water management systems. Further studies included ichtyological mapping, biotope mapping, hydrological mapping, elaboration of Digital Elevation Model and hydrological modelling.
In addition, nature protection authorities and nature conservation-oriented NGOs joined the project team to revise and upgrade the Plan for restoration and management of meadows within the whole project area. The project actions also include restoration and reconstruction of flood protection infrastructure.