Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform

Project assumes that stakeholders (regional authorities, local authorities, NGO, universities and schools) will be identified and integrated through development of a multi-stakeholders’ platform in order to share experience, transfer know-how and make decisions in accordance with the concept of public participation in the decision-making process for sustainable development. Platform will help to create independent space for discussion concerning actions proposed and implementation of new environmental initiatives. There are also plans of implementing actions to continue operations of the platform following project completion.

  • I. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • II. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • III. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • IV. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • V. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • VI. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • VII. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • VIII. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting
  • IX. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting under LIFE+ EKOROB Project, 11.02.2014, Włoszczowa
  • X. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting

I. Meeting

I. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting

On 16 November 2010, in the premises of the International Institute of Polish Academy of Sciences - European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO (MI PAN ERCE p/a UNESCO) in Łódź, the first meeting of the stakeholders’ platform operating under LIFE+ EKOROB “Ecotones for Reducing Diffuse Pollution Project was held.

The objective of this meeting included:

  • Presentation of project goals and assumptions,
  • Presentation of concepts and aims of the Stakeholders’ Platform,
  • Identification of other stakeholders that should be invited to participate in the Platform,
  • Identification of next actions to be implemented under the Stakeholders’ Platform in order to deliver Project objectives and significantly improve condition of water in the Pilica and in Sulejów Reservoir.

The following persons accepted the invitation of the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw and MI PAN ERCE p/a UNESCO and took part in this meeting – Starost (Head) of Radomszczański District, Director of the Regional Board of Melioration and Water Structures in Łódź, President of the Pilica Valley Association and representatives of the following institutions and organisations: District Office in Piotrków Trybunalski, Marshal’s Office in Łódź, Regional Environmental Protection Inspection in Łódź, Łódź Centre of Agricultural Guidance in Bratoszewice and its branch in Piotrków Trybunalski, District Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations in Piotrków Trybunalski and Tomaszów Mazowiecki, and the Pilica Valley Association.

Professor Maciej Zalewski (MI PAN ERCE), Project Leader, in his introductory presentation talked about the concept and assumptions of EKOROB Project. Professor Zalewski indicated options of using the potential of ecotonic zones in reducing diffuse pollution in the context of limiting Sulejów Reservoir eutrophication, and implementation of the Water Framework Directive and Helsinki Convention (see presentation attached).

Wojciech Frątczak of the Regional Water Management in Warsaw, Project Coordinator, presented EKOROB project goals and assumptions (see presentation attached).
Following the introduction, Ms Monika Dzięgielewska–Geitz (MI PAN ERCE), Coordinator of Stakeholders’ Platform, facilitated a discussion and workshop part, during which participants focused on the need of implementing immediate actions in order to stop Sulejów Reservoir degradation and restore its recreational function. Participants shared their observations and experience to identify threats caused by point and diffuse pollution in the Pilica basin and Sulejów Reservoir.  They emphasised pollution caused by illegal wastewater discharged directly to the Reservoir and on adjacent fields.  

Presentation by M. Zalewski
Presentation by W. Frątczak

II. Meeting

II. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting

On 12 May 2011, a meeting of Heads of villages, towns and cities was held in Kruk Hotel in Swolszewice Małe under the Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform for LIFE08 ENV/PL/000519 LIFE+ EKOROB Project. Representatives of 19 Territorial Government Entities (TGE) from the areas located in the Pilica basin above Sulejów Reservoir, representatives of the National Water Management Board (NWMB) as well as EKOROB Project beneficiaries: Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw (RWMB) and European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ERCE) took part in this meeting. Dr Katarzyna Izydorczyk opened the event by presenting its goals and introducing experts invited.

The second item of the Agenda, i.e. a panel of presentations, included the following elements:

The third item of the Agenda included a discussion panel. The following findings and conclusions were made during the discussion:

  • TGE representatives  proposed to request regulatory authority to introduce a statutory requirement of connecting properties to sewage networks where such networks operate in a given municipality as well as to lay down detailed enforcement procedures.
  • TGE representatives requested to apply to regulatory authority to transfer  the duty of enforcement of civic obligations related to water and sewage management from municipalities  to the Regional Environmental Protection Inspection, which is an authority holding more contents-related competence and is an external body towards the TGE authorities.
  • Local governments’ representatives emphasised that they faced more duties and restrictions due to the location of their municipalities in the vicinity of the Reservoir in relation to benefits resulting from this fact.
  • A representative of the RWMB Management in Warsaw explained (addressing enquiries submitted) that it was possible to amend restrictions binding in the water intake protection zone in Bronisławów. Based on this information, the owner, the Municipal Water and Sewerage Company in Łódź, should contact Director of RWMB in Warsaw. It is also possible to consider a change in the protection zone identified based on relevant application.
  • A representative of the RWMB Management in Warsaw informed that the RWBM in Warsaw applied to the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) for funding  to implement the task of macronivelation of the Sulejów Reservoir basin, including  opening of the backwater. This task is planned for delivery between 2012 and 2014.
  • Professor Zalewski emphasised that EKOROB Project’s role was to develop expert knowledge and model solutions whose implementation depended on the municipalities.
  • Prof. Zalewski podkreślił fakt, iż rolą Projektu EKOROB jest opracowanie ekspertyz i rozwiązań modelowych, których implementacja zależy od gmin.
  • TGE representatives requested that representatives of the Łódź City Office should be invited to the next meeting due to the role Sulejów Reservoir performed for Łódź.
  • Professor Zalewski proposed that the project should verify whether the land designated for the ecotonic zones development could be supported by agri-environment payment scheme.
  • TGE representatives emphasised the need of granting financial preferences for municipalities adjacent to the Reservoir as pollution coming from all over basin areas above the Reservoir accumulated within their territory.
  • Professor Zalewski suggested that an organisational system should be developed for municipalities adjacent to the Reservoir to support them jointly in obtaining preferential financing.
  • TGE representatives emphasised competence-related disputes occurring in relation to enforcement and audit procedures in cases of environmental pollution, and problems with implementing such decisions of the WIOŚ as enforcement of sediments disposal by the municipality towards the owner, or disposal of sediments by the municipality and subsequent request to the owner to repay the cost awarded (municipality would be unable to fund such undertaking thus repayment of the cost awarded would not help). The representatives proposed to request regulatory authority to transfer the enforcement-related duty to the WIOŚ (due to its competence), or to police (due to funding held).
  • TGE representatives emphasised the need of providing regional rank to the Project due to the municipalities’ weak financial status.
  • NWMB emphasised that no actions implemented in the Reservoir itself would resolve the issues, and the whole country would be accountable for WFD implementation. Interest of municipalities and their communities is important in the context of project financing by the Ministry of Environment, thus education and information in the municipalities are of significance.
  • Professor Zalewski expressed his view that municipalities undertaking environmental protection measures should receive financial preferential treatment due to their role in WFD implementation by Poland.
  • NWMB representatives suggested that the stakeholders should get familiar with a wastewater management guide available on the NWMB website.
  • TGE representatives noted a possibility of arising competence-related disputes concerning management of the land designated for the ecotones that was managed either by the municipalities or RWMB, where  the municipalities were to be responsible for construction of area solutions.
  • Professor Zalewski emphasised the fact that if Poland did not manage to implement WFD in 2015, the penalties may burden not only the state budget but also the budget of TGEs. He also stressed that demonstrating Poland’s progress in this respect may help to avoid penalties.

Presentations were the next item of the Agenda:

In the conclusion of the meeting, Dr Kinga Krauze (ERCE) suggested that the stakeholders should together identify problems related with water and wastewater management in the Pilica basin, and develop a system of efficient solutions for each problem, which would contain a list of competent institutions, contact details and scope of their competence related with addressing specific problem. The system of efficient solutions would be discussed with officials and notified to the Pilica basin offices and self-governments respectively. The system would address both the rules of law and methods of obtaining relevant funding.

 

III. Meeting

III. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting

The third meeting of the Stakeholders’ Platform for  LIFE+ EKOROB Project was held on 9 November 2011. It was organised by the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE), and took place in Podklasztorze Hotel in Sulejów. The meeting’s objective was to discuss options of obtaining funds for water and wastewater management investments by the local municipalities as well as to present progress achieved in the project implementation.

Twenty six Stakeholders of this Platform took part in the meeting, three speakers from the Regional Funds for Environmental Protection and Water Management from Katowice, Kielce and Łódź as well as representatives of the  LIFE+ EKOROB Project beneficiaries: Regional Water Management Board (RWMB) in Warsaw and  European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology (ERCE) in Łódź.

Dominika Kozińska (ERCE), Stakeholders’ Platform Coordinator, welcomed the participants. Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE), Project Leader, opened the meeting, presented its objectives and introduced experts invited.

The second item of the Agenda, i.e. a panel of presentations, contained the following parts:

  1. Opening of the panel by Professor Maciej Zalewski;

  2. Presentation “Key Assumptions of the LIFE+ EKOROB Project: Ecotones for Reducing Diffuse Pollution presented by Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE);

  3. Presentation concerning support provided so far to the municipalities for the purpose of water and wastewater management and availability of funds for ecological investments in Świętokrzyskie Voivodship, delivered by Ryszard Żołyniak, President of the Board of the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Kielce;

  4. Presentation concerning support provided so far to the municipalities in the area of Sulejów Reservoir for the purpose of water and wastewater management, availability of funds for ecological in Łódzkie Voivodship, delivered by Andrzej Czapla, Deputy President of the Board of the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Łódź;

  5. Presentation “Environmental Funds as a Tool of Support to Municipal Investments in the Water and Wastewater Management Sector in Śląskie Voivodship”,  presented by Mirosław Szemla, Deputy President of the Board of the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Katowice.

Discussion panel was the next item of the Agenda:

  • TGE representatives asked about procedural interpretation of ecological benefits that would be available in future and possibility of obtaining additional funds for wastewater management investments;

    According to the experts, granting of the funds required detailed analysis of individual situations thus the TGE representatives were advised to contact respective competent authorities;

  • Jerzy Milczarek, Deputy Mayor of Mniszków Municipality presented this municipality’s experience in obtaining funds for ecological investments.

  • Andrzej Czapla (Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Łódź) talked about the need of harmonising water and wastewater management actions in the Pilica basin, which would contribute to improved quality of river waters, including water in Sulejów Reservoir.

In response, Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE) declared that under LIFE+ EKOROB Projects and activities of the Stakeholders’ Platform, he would attempt to elaborate a document on necessary water and wastewater management investments in the basin in order to improve quality of the water in the Reservoir.

The next item of the Agenda followed after a break, and it included presentations:

  1. Presentation “Progress Achieved in Implementation of EKOROB Project: Ecotones for Reducing Diffuse Pollution” presented by Wojciech Frątczak, Project Coordinator (RWMB in Warsaw) and Katarzyna  Izydorczyk, (ERCE);

  2. Presentation of assumption of the work schedule to develop “Action Programme for Reducing Diffuse Pollution in the Pilica basin”, with a special emphasis placed on the role of municipalities in formulating and providing their views concerning solutions presented by Wojciech Frątczak (RWMB in Warsaw) and Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE);

  3. Presentation “Social Consultations concerning Updates of Water Management Plans under the 2nd Planning Cycle in the Period 2010-2015” – presented by Katarzyna Wardak (RWMB in Warsaw).  The presenter informed the meeting participants that one of the consultation-related documents entitled “Review of the Key Issues Related with Water Management in Basin Areas” would be used in a survey used in the municipalities for the purpose of developing the Action Programme. 

A discussion panel was the next item of the Agenda:

  • TGE representatives asked questions concerning the work schedule to develop “Action Programme for Reducing Diffuse Pollution in the Pilica basin”,  possibilities of project implementation and obtaining necessary funding;

    Dr Katarzyna Izydorczyk explained that the project assumed development of the Action Programme but not its implementation.  Having regard to its implementation, it is planned to perform a legal and economic analysis to identify methods of obtaining funds and relevant legislation. Promotion of the Programme developed and cooperation with national and regional authorities are also necessary for its further implementation;

TGE representatives asked questions concerning practical impact of EKOROB Project implementation on improvement of purity level of water in the basin;
Dr Katarzyna Izydorczyk explained that ecotones constructed under the project represented demo sites which were to demonstrate how actions aiming at improved water quality could be harmonised with needs of the local communities. However the process of improving Sulejów Reservoir water quality should cover measures to reduce pollution coming both from its direct basin and in the Pilica basin in particular. Reduction of point pollution through modernisation of wastewater treatment plants or construction of sewage network may turn insufficient, especially that restoring original condition of groundwater supplying the rivers and reservoirs was a multi-year cycle. That is why improvement of the ground and surface water quality should include the actions aiming to:

(1) reduce emissions of pollution through improvement of the water and wastewater management system (reduce illegal wastewater disposal) and use of good agricultural practices;

(2) intensify the process of water self-purification through such measures as ecotonic zones construction;

  • TGE representatives suggested an increasing role of point pollution in relation to diffuse pollution observed in the basin;

    Dr Katarzyna Izydorczyk explained that such tendencies would be identified by the MONERIS Model that had been calibrated for the purpose of this project. The model would assess volume of emissions in specific sub-basins of the Pilica and  identify their sources;

  • “Dolina Pilicy” Association emphasised the role of educating local communities in order to strengthen project effectiveness, and declared its will to cooperate in the field of ecological education of the inhabitants;

    Dr Katarzyna Izydorczyk explained that the project started its education and consultation stage in summer season 2011 by organising two information picnics in Barkowice and Zarzęcin. That stage would also cover educational and information meetings held during open air events organised by the municipalities and organisations responsible for school education and training cycles. 

  • Dr Katarzyna Izydorczyk summarised the meeting and thanked its participants.

 

IV. Meeting

IV. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting

The Fourth meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform organised by the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO and the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw, was held on 22 May 2012 in the Molo, Conference and Recreation Centre in Smardzewice, between 9 am and 2.30 pm. Identification of the key pollution sources in the part of the Pilica catchment located above Sulejow Reservoir and its direct catchment, was the leading theme of the conference.

47 persons took part in the meeting, including representatives of the European Commission: Sylvie Ludain, Anna Mc Clintock, Zbigniew Karaczun, the National Fund for Environmental Protection was represented by Radosław Domagała, twenty six Stakeholders of the Platform, representatives of the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw, ERCE u/a UNESCO, as well as media representatives.

The Course of Organisational Activities:

The following parties were invited to take part in the meeting: Stakeholders that participated in the previous meetings of the Platform, authorities of the municipality government that participated in a survey to identify the key problems of water management in the upper section of the Pilica catchment, as well as other representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions interested in the topic of this meeting.

Prior to the meeting, participants received information materials developed by presenters and related with the subject matter of the presentations to be delivered, as well as promotional materials developed to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of LIFE+ Programme provided by the EC representatives.

The Course of Activities Performed during the Meeting:

Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE u/a UNESCO) welcomed the participants. The meeting was opened by Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE u/a UNESCO), Project Manager, who presented goals and agenda of the meeting. Brief introductions of the meeting participants followed. Jacek Skwierczyński (Marshal’s Office in Łódź) highlighted the rank of eco-business idea for Łódzkie Region as a key direction of development of the project implementation area, and signalled the need of presenting relevant plans during the International Bio-Economy Congress.

Presentation Panel:

  1. "Ecohydrology – Science Focused on Problem Solution" Professor Maciej Zalewski (Director of ERCE u/a UNESCO)

    This presentation informed the participants of the need to translate systemic ecohydrology know-how into systemic solutions: ecohydrological biotechnologies. The following issues were raised during this presentation:

    • Key assumptions of the ecohydrology theory;
    • Impact of river regulation on the size of ecotonic buffer zone reducing diffuse pollution;
    • Significance of the ecotonic vegetation structure and river corridors to maintain high biomass and diversity of ichthyofauna;
    • Optimisation of biological structure of the Pilica river floodplain to improve the self-treatment process;
    • Implementation of ecohydrological biotechnology as a tool for reducing pollution in the agricultural landscape and in urban areas.
  2. "20 Years of the UE LIFE Instrument" Sylvie Ludain (Technical Desk Officer, DG Environment, Unit LIFE E4, European Commission)

    This presentation concerned LIFE+ financial instrument, which is implemented under three components: Life Nature, Life Information and Communication, and Life Environment. Currently, LIFE programme has been implemented for the period 2000-2013, however a plan to extend the programme for the period 2014-2020 is developed. In her presentation Ms S. Ludain presented:

    • Example results of projects co-financed under LIFE+ instrument, in the context of water conservation, reduction of the quantity of waste, water savings, reduced pressure on environment, design of “eco–products”, support to efficient use of water and energy, reduction of the level of natural resources’ extraction, recycling, improvement of quality of urban environment and living standard of Europeans;
    • Key effects of LIFE instrument;
    • Dissemination of LIFE programmes and their future.
  3. "Financing of LIFE+ Projects in Poland" Radosław Domagała (Senior Inspector of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management).

    This presentation concerned co-financing provided by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management to LIFE+ projects. The following topics were raised:

    • The role of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in implementation of LIFE+;
    • Number of LIFE+ applications submitted in Poland in the period 2007-2011;
    • Use of 2007-2010 allocation;
    • Timetable of project selection in 2012;
    • Information on the training and consultation, LIFE+ information sources, types of projects eligible for co-financing, sources of information on deadlines and places of the calls for proposals, as well as on training informing about project applications to be submitted.
  4. "Level of Advancement of EKOROB Project: Ecotones For Reducing Diffuse Pollution" Wojciech Frątczak (Project Coordinator, Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw).

    This presentation concerned progress achieved in implementation of LIFE+ EKOROB project, i.e.:

    • Report from implementation work on shaping ecotonic zones in demo sites in the direct catchment of Sulejow Reservoir – Barkowice Zatoka, Barkowice Łąka and Zarzęcin;
    • Activity focused on raising awareness of local community;
    • Project promotion in the period 12.2011-05.2012.
  5. "Identification of Pressure and Anthropogenic Impacts on the Condition of Surface Water in the Pilica River Catchment to Sulejow Reservoir, including the Reservoir" Katarzyna Banaszak (Pectore – Eco Sp. z o. o. )
    • This presentation included the subject of assumptions and course of the works to identify pressure and anthropogenic impacts on the condition of surface water in the Pilica catchment;
    • The following municipal waste management risks to the municipalities were presented: quantities of untreated sewage, pollution load deposited in municipal and industrial sewage BZT5, quantity of water used for the needs of water supply network, size of population not receiving the service of wastewater treatment plants, nitrogen load per resident, including the service provided by WWTP, the ratio of the number of citizens connected to the drainage system, industry, quantity of untreated industrial waste, number of water used for industrial purposes, quantity of waste produced - unrecyclable;
    • The following classes of risks posed by agriculture to the municipalities were presented: quantity of water used for the purpose of agriculture and wood industry, percentage share of arable land in the space of the municipalities, percentage share of orchards in the space of the municipalities, percentage share of fish ponds in the space of the municipalities, and percentage of farm animals;
    • Statistical water management balance in the catchment was discussed, which included an analysis of the condition of surface water resources: absorbability of the streams in the current version of the water management balance in the balance cross-sections in the Pilica catchment to Sulejow Reservoir, absorbability of streams according to the water legal permits in the balance cross-sections in the catchment.
  6. "Analysis of Point Sources of Pollution Containing Nutrient Compounds, Dioxins, Dioxin-like Compounds in the Pilica Catchment, and Development of Methods to Recultivate Them" Edyta Kiedrzyńska (ERCE u/a UNESCO).

    This presentation concerned synergy between LIFE+ EKOROB project and the project of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The following issues were raised:

    • Compliance with the Treaty requirements, and implementation of the Water Framework Direction and “Sewage” Directive in Poland;
    • Quantity of sewage and pollution load from the WWTP within the Pilica catchment area;
    • Concentration of the total phosphorus and the total nitrogen in sewage leaving WWTPs located in the catchment;
    • Concentration of dioxins and toxicity along the Pilica river continuum;
    • Concept of the Model Biofiltration System (MBS) for the Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Rozprza.
  7. Discussing Results of Survey Delivered among Self-Government Authorities of the Municipalities Located within the Project Implementation Area, which Concerned Identification of the Key Problems of Water Management in the Upper Section of the Pilica Catchment. Agnieszka Sosnowska (ERCE u/a UNESCO).

    Key findings resulting from this Survey included:

    • The level of awareness on importance of impacts created by diffuse pollution on water quality varies significantly depending on the municipality
    • Most municipalities perceive municipal pollution as the main reason of water pollution
    • Most municipalities deliver dynamic actions in order to reduce municipal pollution
    • Pollution of agricultural origin is considered of a low importance

Discussion Panel

Chaired by Iwona Wagner MI PAN ERCE u/a UNESCO

The following experts expressed their opinion on diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment:

  • Waldemar Kutera, Expert in environmental impacts registered in the list of the Minister of Environment and Governor of Łódzkie Region, who briefly presented balance of nutrient substances for the Pilica catchment.
  • Ryszard Klajs, Manager of the Monitoring Department of the Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Łódź, who emphasised the need to involve municipalities and districts in the activities aimed at improvement of quality of Sulejow Reservoir water and the Wolbórka; areas covered by the provisions of the Nitrate Directive.

World Café Method

Methodology:

Participants were divided into 3 groups composed of several members. They discussed the topics proposed by using flipcharts:

  1. What contributes to such varying levels of efficiency of activities focused on reducing diffuse pollution in the individual municipalities? How to improve this efficiency?
  2. Why is agricultural pollution ranked so low in the awareness of public administration? How to change this?
  3. Which competencies held by your institutions could support the process of reducing diffuse pollution in the field of limiting pressures and implementation of new technologies?

The main theses of the discussion were recorded on flipcharts. After approx. 20 minutes’ the group members – apart from the “Host” – were asked to move to the next flipcharts. The Host updated them on the issues formulated by the previous groups and encouraged to further discussions. Participants were recording their ideas on the charts to provide the next groups with reference items. Discussions and conclusions were summarised during the plenary session.

Summary:

  1. What contributes to such varying levels of efficiency of activities focused on reducing diffuse pollution in the individual municipalities? How to improve this efficiency?
    Host: Agnieszka Sosnowska, ERCE u/a UNESCO
    Summarised by: Jan Andrzejczyk, Deputy Mayor of the Town of Sulejow.

    The following issues were raised:

    • The lack of competence and rights in the municipalities;
    • The lack of funds (connection to the drainage system depends on the level of wealth of residents);
    • Respecting provisions of the law on landscape conservation;
    • Involvement of Heads of villages;
    • The lack of restrictions imposed by the law;
    • Too much pressure caused by housing development in the naturally attractive areas;
    • The lack of awareness and information;
    • The lack of monitoring;
    • The lack of prioritisation;

    The following solutions to reduce diffuse pollution in the individual municipalities were proposed:

    • Attracting media attention to this problem;
    • Developing such housing development plans that would protect various areas representing significant natural values, not only forests;
    • Municipalities should develop their local spatial development plans;
    • Respecting law;
    • Organising promotional campaigns to raise ecological awareness;
    • Designating external audit bodies;
    • Implementing the obligation to get connected to the drainage system;
    • Introducing new technologies.
  2. Why is agricultural pollution ranked so low in the awareness of public administration? How to change this?
    Host: Wojciech Frątczak, Project Coordinator, Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw
    Summarised by: Piotr Wypych, Director of the Complex of the Pilica Landscape Parks.

    The following issues were raised:

    • The following issues were raised:
    • Low level of farming culture of farmers;
    • Marginalisation of the problem at each authority level;
    • Individual law interpretation, law should be enforced, not just the provisions stipulated in implementing acts;
    • The lack of diffuse pollution monitoring;
    • Contents-based and decision indolence of the administration;
    • The lack of supervision over municipal management;
    • Central enforcement in terms of municipal management;

    In order to raise awareness in the field of agricultural pollution of the public administration, the following was proposed:

    • teaching ethics and good manners to children and youth;
    • initiation of cooperation among the offices;
  3. Which competencies held by your institutions could support the process of reducing diffuse pollution in the field of limiting pressures and implementation of new technologies?
    Host: Katarzyna Izydorczyk, ERCE u/a UNESCO
    Summarised by: Miłosz Naczyński, Mayor of Przedborz.

    According to the Platform Stakeholders, the following institutions may support the process of reducing diffuse pollution in terms of limiting pressures and implementation of new technologies:

    • in terms of controlling quality of the environment:

      Regional Inspections for Environmental Protection are competent authorities in the field of monitoring of surface and groundwater quality, while the Chemical and Agricultural Research Laboratories monitor soil and water in terms of phosphorus and nitrogen contents

    • in terms of controlling sewage disposal:

      Municipalities are competent authorities in the field of controlling sewage disposal (system of cesspit-related inspections) – example solutions in Sulejow Municipality The lack of provisions indicating the need to demonstrate the way of disposing sewage upon granting the decision on approving single-family housing

    • in terms of farms:

      Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture is able to control municipal waste and disposal of cesspit contents

    • in terms of financing activities to regulate water and sewage management:

      National Fund for Environmental Protection and Regional Fund for Environmental Protection provide co-financing for connections with drainage network

    • in terms of fertilising:

      In case of farmers receiving payments, Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture is entitled to control fertilising, storage of liquid manure/manure; 5% of farmers are subject of such checks

      In case of farmers conducting economic activity, the Regional Inspections for Environmental Protection are entitled to perform relevant checks

    • in terms of education:

      Agricultural Consultation Centres deliver training for farmers, an option of cooperation with municipalities in the field of training promotion and organisation

    • in terms of work in water courses and regulation of water courses:

      Regional Directorates for Environmental Protection: prescribe conditions to conduct the work, issue environmental impact assessments of the activities conducted, e.g. Regional Board of Melioration and Water Equipment: responsible for performance of maintenance work, for instance Łódź RBMWE, based on the guidelines adopted, acts to limit regulation of agricultural rivers and delay water run-off through damming. Participants highlighted the lack of clear regulations, clear division of competence and the lack of enforcement of the existing regulations.

Conclusion

Iwona Wagner ( ERCE u/a UNESCO) thanked the World Cafe participants for their opinions and sharing their perspectives and experience. Using the example of resolving the problem of waste disposal in Sulejow, she demonstrated that by learning from one another, we accelerate the education process.

Iwona Wagner emphasised the fact that during the discussion panel, three key issues had been identified:

  • financial aspect with potential sponsors;
  • the issue of accepting law;
  • the issue of integration and cooperation of institutions.

Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE u/a UNESCO) thanked participants for all their comments, summarised them and closed the meeting.

V. Meeting

V. Multi-Stakeholders’ Platform Meeting

On 5 December 2012, the Fifth Meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform was held in the District Office in Tomaszow Mazowiecki. It was organised by beneficiaries of LIFE+ EKOROB Project, i.e. European Regional Centre for European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE u/a UNESCO), and the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw (RWMB Warsaw).

The leading theme of the Conference included presentation of the progress achieved in work on documentation developed under the 1st stage of the Action Programme focused on reduction of diffuse pollution from agricultural and municipal sources in the Pilica catchment, which is the main objective of the above-mentioned project.

55 persons, including 47 participants representing 31 invited institutions took part in this meeting.

Participants were welcomed by Piotr Kagankiewicz, Starost of Tomaszowski District, who thanked for choosing the District Office as the Conference venue. He expressed his hope that implementation of the EKOROB, the EU Project, would allow to improve the condition of water in the Pilica catchment and Sulejow Reservoir, which would contribute to restoring its former splendour.

Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE u/a UNESCO, Project Manager) opened the Fifth Meeting of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform of LIFE+ EKOROB Project, and thanked the Starost for the opportunity of organising the Conference in the District Office. Then he presented objectives of the meeting to the participants, and encouraged them to take part in the discussion and express their opinions.

The next part covered the Panel of Presentations, which included:

  • Opening of the Panel by Katarzyna Izydorczyk;
  • Presentation by Professor Maciej Zalewski (ERCE u/a UNESCO) on challenges of sustainable management of water resources in the light of increased anthropopressure and climate changes;
  • Presentation by Paweł Czyż (EEDRI - Enterprise and Economic Development Research Institute of the Social Academy of Sciences), focused on the subject of “The Place of the Pilica Catchment in the Regional Strategy”. Mr Czyż emphasised that some regional strategies contained provisions concerning the Pilica catchment, and identified measures that should be delivered in this area. He also mentioned that such provisions enabled to receive regional co-financing for the measures aligned with the strategy.
  • Presentation by Wojciech Frątczak (RMBWM Warsaw, Project Coordinator) addressed identification of the areas that potentially generate diffuse pollution from agricultural and municipal sources in the Pilica catchment, based on: sensitivity analyses performed for this area, anthropopressure, survey delivered in the municipalities and mathematical modelling.
  • Presentation by Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE u/a UNESCO) concerned efficiency of vegetation buffer zones in the agricultural landscape and highly efficient ecotonic zones developed in the direct catchment of Sulejow Reservoir.
  • Presentation by Agnieszka Bednarek of the Institute of Applied Ecology of the University of Lodz was titled "Methods of Recultivation of Nitrogen Pollution in Agricultural Areas". During her presentation, Ms Bednarek raised the issues related with denitrification process, and presented efficiency of denitrification barriers in reducing pollution of water with nitrates, depending on the input materials used for development of the barriers, and on pollution sources (diffuse or point).

Discussion Panel was focused on the following two topics, and represented the next item of the agenda after the break:

  1. Measures implemented to improve water quality
    • Professor Bogdan Piasecki of EEDRI - Enterprise and Economic Development Research Institute of the Social Academy of Sciences opened the discussion. He appealed to deliver actions to ensure that regional parliaments should address specific activities related with the Pilica catchment region during their discussions on updates of their strategies. It would provide a basis for obtaining regional funds, including EU funding, to implement projects aiming at improvement of quality of water in the Pilica and Sulejow Reservoir.
    • Piotr Maks (Regional Inspector of the Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Łódź, Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Łódź) raised the issues of financing tasks involving sewage management. He emphasised that the structure of the financial plan of the RFEPWM in Łódź was changed and the amount of funds designated for water management was reduced in 2013, however changes in the next years were possible, depending on the needs notified.
    • Jacek Kowalewski (Member of the District Council in Tomaszow Mazowiecki) emphasised that apart from Łódzkie Region, the other Regions located within the territory of the Pilica catchment, were insufficiently interested in conservation of the river water.
    • Jan Andrzejczyk (Vice Mayor of Sulejow) emphasised that small entities, such as municipality governments, implemented the tasks aimed to improve quality of the catchment water and its conservation, while there was no consistent programme of the Pilica basin conservation that would provide financial support to the activities implemented by the municipalities.
    • Participants also emphasised that municipalities with small population size resulting from a large share of forest areas had problems with obtaining co-financing for such measures as construction of drainage network. Professor Zalewski being the Director of ERCE was requested to issue an opinion for Marshal’s Offices to relax criteria for implementation of structural projects (i.e. reduce the “house drains density” indicator – the number of connections) for the tasks implemented within the territory of Sulejow Reservoir catchment.
    • Waldemar Kutera (Expert in water conservation) raised the issue of a small degree of sewage system connections. According to his own calculations, approx. 75% of sewage was deposited in the environment (in liquid form in particular). Based on the data for 2010, the share of point sources in relation to diffuse sources for the Pilica catchment (space area of 5 000 sq.km) constituted only 2 and 4% respectively for the general nitrogen and phosphorus.
    • Bronisław Helman (President for the Pilica Association) emphasised the need of joint actions under a single central programme – from the Pilica springs to Sulejow Reservoir, which would address operational methods and competence of specific institutions, including self-government entities.
    • Professor Maciej Zalewski observed that inability to cooperate was the weakest point of development-related mechanism in Poland. On the other hand, EKOROB Project provides an opportunity of developing a joint action programme for the Pilica catchment, and it could be implemented under an integrated LIFE project.
  2. Ecological Education and Raising Awareness of Farmers
    • Piotr Maks (Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Łódź) informed that the amount of funding for ecological education and enhanced social awareness provided by the RFEPWM in Łódź was increased
    • Andrzej Adamowicz (Chief Specialist, Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection, Spała) emphasised that farmers did not realise that inappropriately performed agro-technical procedures, such as inappropriate storage of manure, resulted in specific environmental impacts. He observed that that was a common situation, particularly in the areas with soils of good quality. Thus education to raise awareness of farmers is necessary.
    • Professor Maciej Zalewski mentioned an opportunity of developing a manual for farmers, as well as delivering training for staff of such institutions as the Agricultural Consultation Centres, which possibly could be co-financed by the RFEPWM.
    • Wiesław Łukomski (Vice President of the Board of the RFEPWM in Łódź) stated that it was possible to fund that type of activities as ecological education was not reserved for school education, and that was why he encouraged municipalities to submit this type of applications.
    • Participants of the meeting proposed that developing posters to be placed on information boards in the municipalities as well as publishing relevant information on the municipality office websites, would be the best method to raise community awareness. Short information and educational videos published on websites were considered as one of the key methods. Beneficiaries of EKOROB Project undertook to develop relevant educational and information materials, and to distribute them in the municipalities and other institutions.

Participants also expressed the need of implementing joint activities in the Pilica catchment, as well as in the direct catchment of the Reservoir, to improve the quality of water which conditions touristic potential of the municipalities located on the Reservoir. At the end of the meeting, Professor Maciej Zalewski thanked participants for coming to the event, for their proposals and information.

VI. Meeting

VI. Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders

On 19 November 2013, the 6th Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders was held in the District Office in Piotrkow Trybunalski. It was organised by beneficiaries of LIFE+ EKOROB Project, i.e. the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE PAN) and the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw (RWMB in Warsaw).

A presentation of the preliminary version of the Action Programme to reduce diffuse pollution from agricultural and municipal sources in the Pilica catchment, which is the main objective of the Project, was the leading theme of the conference. 

Representatives of the territorial government entities from the territory of the Pilica central catchment (Lodzkie Province), where the Project is implemented, as well as representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions whose operations are directly or indirectly related with water management and agriculture, were invited to the meeting. 56 persons, where 47 represented the 32 invited institutions, took part in the meeting.

Presentations:

  1. Presentation of the Action Programme developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project for the purpose of reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment. Part 2. Pollution of agricultural origin. Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE PAN)
  2. Soil acidification caused by anthropogenic transformations. Benigna Plackowska (Marshal’s Office of Lodzkie Province)
  3. National programme of treatment of municipal wastewater in the Pilica catchment in Lodzkie Province. Maria Przybylska (Marshal’s Office of Lodzkie Province)
  4. Presentation of the Action Programme developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project for the purpose of reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment. Part 1. Pollution of municipal origin. Wojciech Frątczak (RWMB in Warsaw)
 
 

VII. Meeting

VII. Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders

On 20 November 2013, the 7th Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders was held in the Amazonka Hotel in the Irzadz Municipality. It was organised by beneficiaries of LIFE+ EKOROB Project, i.e. the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE PAN u/a UNESCO) and the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw (RWMB in Warsaw).

A presentation of the preliminary version of the Action Programme to reduce diffuse pollution from agricultural and municipal sources in the Pilica catchment, which is the main objective of the Project, was the leading theme of the conference. 

Representatives of the territorial government entities from the territory of the Pilica upper catchment (Silesia and Malopolskie Provinces), where the Project is implemented, as well as representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions whose operations are directly or indirectly related with water management and agriculture, were invited to the meeting. 34 persons, where 28 represented the 18 invited institutions, took part in the meeting.

Presentations:

  1. Presentation of assumptions of EKOROB Project: Ecotones for Reducing Diffuse Pollution. Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE PAN)
  2. Identification of areas which potentially generate diffuse pollution. Wojciech Frątczak (EKOROB Project Coordinator, RWMB in Warsaw)
  3. Presentation of the Action Programme developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project for the purpose of reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment. Part 2. Pollution of agricultural origin. Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE PAN)
  4. Presentation of the Action Programme developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project for the purpose of reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment. Part 1. Pollution of municipal origin. Wojciech Frątczak (RWMB in Warsaw)
    
 

VIII. Meeting

VIII. Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders

On 22 January 2014, the 8th meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders of LIFE+ EKOROB Project was held at the Marshal’s Office of Silesia Province. It was organised by beneficiaries of LIFE+ EKOROB Project: the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw and the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences under the auspices of UNESCO (ERCE PAN) in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection of the Marshal’s Office of Silesia Province.  Kazimierz Karolczak, Deputy Marshal of Silesia Province, took part in the meeting.

Protection of waters in the Pilica catchment in the context of implementation of water directives of the European Commission by using tools developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project was the leading theme of the conference.

The following presentations were presented during the meeting:

  • Perspectives of application of ecohydrology to eliminate threats and maximise opportunities in terms of implementation of the Framework Directives of the European Commission – Prof. Maciej Zalewski (ERCE PAN)
  • Presentation of the Action Programme developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project for the purpose of reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment - Katarzyna Izydorczyk (ERCE PAN), Wojciech Frątczak (RWMB in Warsaw)
  • The condition of soil quality in Zawiercianski District based on studies conducted by the District Chemical and Agricultural Station in Gliwice  - Zygmunt Adrianek (District Chemical and Agricultural Station in Gliwice)

The need to develop new tools based on scientific achievements in the field of water protection as well as elaborate and deliver mechanisms and tools facilitating their implementation and application in the Pilica catchment in Silesia Province was discussed during the meeting.

Representatives of the following institutions took part in the meeting:

  1. Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture – Silesia Regional Branch;
  2. Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute, Centre of Water Quality Monitoring in Katowice;
  3. District Chemical and Agricultural Station in Gliwice;
  4. Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice;
  5. Silesia Chamber of Agriculture;
  6. Silesia Centre of Agricultural Advice in Częstochowa;
  7. Silesia Board of Melioration and Water Devices in Katowice;
  8. Regional Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Katowice;
  9. Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Katowice;
  10. Division of Rural Areas of Silesia Marshal’s Office;
  11. University of Silesia;
  12. Higher School of Economics
      
 

IX. Meeting

IX. Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders under LIFE+ EKOROB Project, 11.02.2014, Włoszczowa

On 11 February  2014, the 9th meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders of LIFE+ EKOROB Project was held in the Aromat Hotel in Włoszczowa. It was organised by beneficiaries of LIFE+ EKOROB Project: the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (ERCE PAN) and the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw.

A presentation of the preliminary version of the Action Programme to reduce diffuse pollution from agricultural and municipal sources in the Pilica catchment, which is the main objective of the Project, was the leading theme of the conference. Information on onsite and local wastewater treatment systems was presented as an additional component. 

Representatives of the territorial government entities from the territory of the Pilica catchment in Swietokrzyskie Province, where the Project is implemented, as well as representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions whose operations are directly or indirectly related with water management and agriculture, were invited to the meeting. 28 persons, where 22 represented the 16 invited institutions, took part in the meeting.

Presentations:

1. Presentations of assumptions of EKOROB Project: Ecotones for Reducing Diffuse Pollution.
Katarzyna Izydorczyk, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
2. Identification of areas which potentially generate diffuse pollution.
Wojciech Frątczak, Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw.
3. Presentation of the Action Programme to Reduce Diffuse Pollution in the Pilica Catchment developed under LIFE+ EKOROB Project.
Wojciech Frątczak, Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw
4. Onsite wastewater treatment systems as a solution for areas with scattered housing.
Franciszek Bydałek, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
5. Local wastewater treatment systems as a solution for villages with compact housing.
Radosław Gross, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

 

X. Meeting

X. The 10th Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders ‘Ecotones for reducing diffuse pollution’

On 29 September 2015, the 10th Meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders of ‘Ecotones for reducing diffuse pollution’ EKOROB Project was held in Molo Hotel in Smardzewice located on the Sulejow Reservoir. The event was organised under patronage of the Minister for Environmental Protection, the Governor of Lodzkie Province and the Marshal of Lodzkie Province.

Cyclical meetings of key institutions and groups involved both in the Pilica catchment and issues addressed by the project, i.e. the issue of improving the status of water quality and reducing diffuse pollution as well as the target to accomplish good water status required by the European Union water directives. Development of the platform for actions, meetings and discussions as well as integration of many groups and institutions under the Platform of Stakeholders were of the utmost importance for the progress and success of this project.

Representatives of institutions, local governments, organisations and associations took part in the conference. We extremely value the fact that during the Project conclusion, the conference was participated by institutions representing both local and regional level as well as the national. 50 persons, including 38 participants representing the invited institutions, took part in the 10th Meeting:

  • Ministry of Environment;
  • Marshal’s Office of Lodzkie Province;
  • Marshal’s Office of Silesia Province;
  • National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management;
  • Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Lodz;
  • Regional Board of Melioration and Water Devices in Lodz;
  • Regional Branch of the Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture  in Lodz;
  • Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Lodz;
  • Opoczynskie Poviat (District) Starost Office;
  • Piotrkowski Poviat Starost Office;
  • Piotrkow Trybunalski City Office;
  • Przedborz City Office;
  • Sulejow City Office;
  • Wolborz City Office;
  • Leki Szlacheckie Municipality Office;
  • Mniszkow Municipality Office;
  • Slawno Municipality Office;
  • Tomaszow Mazowiecki Municipality Office;
  • Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute;
  • Department of Water Engineering of the University of Life Sciences;
  • Polish Angling Society, Piotrkow Trybunalski District;
  • Group of Lodzkie Province Landscape Parks;
  • The ‘Pilica Valley’ Association.
     

Ms. Iwona Gawłowska, Director of the Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw opened the meeting. Next speakers included Ms. Elżbieta Radziszewska, Vice-Marshal of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Ms. Dorota Niedziela, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Environment, and Mr. Ryszard Deluga, Director of Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection at the Marshal’s Office of Lodzkie Province.

The 10th meeting of the Platform of Stakeholders was also a closing conference which completed implementation of EKOROB Project. It included presentation of the key project achievements in the field of reducing diffuse pollution, issues concerning municipal sources of pollution, analyses and systems used in the project, e.g. SWAT modelling. Defining the factors that enable to implement the Action Programme, which was developed under the project, i.e. the key aggregate document which contains an analysis of the situation in the catchment as well as a range of solutions adapted to specific environmental, economic and social conditions, was one of the key objectives of that meeting.

The following presentations were delivered during the meeting:

  • Perspectives of using Ecohydrology to eliminate threats and maximise opportunities to implement the EC water directives. Maciej Zalewski, Director of the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology PAS
  • Strategy of the Pilica Valley and Sulejow Reservoir areas development. Marcin Pawlak, Deputy Director of the Regional Policy Department, Marshal’s Office of Lodzkie Province
  • Using SWAT model to quantify diffuse pollution sources in the Pilica catchment. Paweł Marcinkowski, Department of Water Engineering of the University of Life Sciences
  • The level of progress achieved in implementation of the National Programme for Municipal Sewage Treatment in the Pilica catchment area. Marta Barszczewska, Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw
  • Water and sewage management in non-urbanised areas in the Pilica catchment. Franciszek Bydałek. European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology PAS
  • Efficiency of vegetation buffer zones in the agricultural landscape and highly efficient ecotones constructed in the Sulejow Reservoir shoreline. Katarzyna Izydorczyk, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology PAS
  • Action Programme for reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica Catchment. Wojciech Frątczak, Regional Water Management Board in Warsaw

To complete the 10th Meeting day, the participants visited LIFE + EKOROB Project demosites in Zarzecin and Barkowice. At the first demosite, participants saw solutions applied under the project, i.e. a highly efficient ecotone with a biogeochemical barrier constructed to pretreat water polluted with phosphorus compounds incoming with underground and precipitation water. In Barkowice, a highly efficient ecotone zone containing a denitrification wall to reduce nitrogen compounds incoming with underground water of Sulejow Reservoir was also presented. The participants also got familiar with the characteristics of the areas were the demosites are located, and took part in a demonstration of sample collection and the field analyses, which are cyclically held under the project.

More information about this event is available at:

https://www.mos.gov.pl/artykul/7_aktualnosci/25201_projekt_ekorob_jak_ekologicznie_zmniejszac_ilosc_zwiazkow_fosforu_i_azotu_w_wodach.html
http://www.lekiszlacheckie.pl/component/content/article/55-aktualnoci/779-konferencja-podsumowujca-projekt-ekorob-.html
http://warszawa.rzgw.gov.pl/wiadomosci/aktualnosci/konferencja-podsumowujaca-projekt-ekorob
http://www.radiofama.com.pl/content/zalew-sulejowski-tematem-konferencji
 

 

International Workshops

International Workshops ‘Innovative and system solutions for mitigation of diffuse pollution: demonstration catchments in Europe’ under patronage of the Ministry of Environment for stakeholders of LIFE+EKOROB Project, 2 - 4 June 2014, Bronislawow

On 2 - 4 June 2014, in Bronisławow, International Workshops ‘Innovative and system solutions for mitigation of diffuse pollution: demonstration catchments in Europe’ were held. They were organised under LIFE+ EKOROB Project ‘Ecotones for reducing diffuse pollution’ (LIFE08 ENV/PL/000519), under honorary patronage the Ministry of Environment, by the Regional Water Management Authority in Warsaw and the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the PAS.

The workshops were organised to present and discuss proposed solutions to reduce diffuse pollution, which were developed under EKOROB Project and compiled as the Action Programme, which listed the proposals consulted during meetings of the Platform of Stakeholders. The Polish experience and tools elaborated under EKOROB Project implementation were presented in the context of actions delivered to reduce diffuse pollution in other European states.

The conference was attended by 98 participants representing 7 foreign institutes and 37 institutions involved in environmental protection, water management and agriculture, scientific institutions, personnel of agricultural consultation centres, representatives of local governments, ecology-oriented organisations, and chambers of agriculture. The detailed list of the institutions represented in the workshops is presented below:

  • Ministry of Environment;
  • National Water Management Authority;
  • National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management;
  • Chief Inspection for Environmental Protection;
  • Marshal’s Office in Katowice;
  • Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture, Lodz Branch;
  • Lodz Province Chamber of Agriculture;
  • District Chemical and Agricultural Research Laboratory in Gliwice;
  • District Chemical and Agricultural Research Laboratory in Lodz;
  • District Chemical and Agricultural Research Laboratory in Kielce;
  • District Chemical and Agricultural Research Laboratory in Opole;
  • Swietokrzyski Agricultural Consultation Centre;
  • Silesia Agricultural Consultation Centre;
  • Lodz Agricultural Consultation Centre;
  • Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Lodz;
  • Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Katowice;
  • Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection in Kielce;
  • Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Kielce;
  • Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Lodz;
  • Regional Inspection for Environmental Protection in Katowice;
  • Board of Melioration and Water Devices in Kielce;
  • Board of Melioration and Water Devices in Katowice;
  • Board of Melioration and Water Devices in Lodz;
  • Complex of Landscape Parks in Lodzkie Province;
  • District Starost Office in Piotrkow Trybunalski;
  • District Starost Office in Tomaszow Mazowiecki;
  • Aleksandrow Municipality Office;
  • Tomaszow Mazowiecki Municipality Office;
  • Przedborz Town Office;
  • Sulejow Town Office;
  • Tomaszow Mazowiecki Town Office;
  • Wolborz Town Office;
  • ‘Dolina Pilicy’ Association;
  • LGD ‘Perła Jury’ Association;
  • Institute of Meteorology and Water Management – National Research Institute;
  • Department of Water Engineering,  Warsaw University of Life Sciences;
  • Department of Applied Ecology, University of Lodz.

Leszek Bagiński, Director of the Regional Water Management Authority in Warsaw opened the conference and welcomed its participants.

The following guests spoke next: Edyta Tuźnik-Kosno of the Ministry of Environment and Andrzej Sidorski of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

Presentations to introduce the participants to the subject of the workshops were delivered by:

  • Roman Jaworski, Deputy Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection: ‘Implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (HELCOM) in terms of treatment of wastewater and agriculture’;
  • Maciej Zalewski, Director of the European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the PAS: ‘Ecohydrology - biotechnologies and system approach for reduction of diffuse pollution’.

On the first day of the workshops, presentations were delivered by guests invited from European states. They presented their experience in the field of the programmes to reduce diffuse pollution in the following order:

  • Michael Trepel, Ministry of Energy, Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Areas, Germany: ‘Guidelines for the reduction of nutrient discharges from drained agricultural land’, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany",
  • Adrian Collins, Rothamsted Research, and Emilie Vrain, University of East Anglia, UK ‘The Demonstration Test Catchment Programmes: hydrochemical, biological and socio-economic evidence for impacts of on-farm mitigation measures,
  • Marianne Bechmann, Bioforsk Soil and Environment, Norway: ‘Mitigation measures to reduce phosphorus losses from agricultural areas in Norway (The Western Vansjo project)’,
  • Andy Vinten, Managing Catchments and Coasts Theme, James Hutton Institute, UK: ‘Assessment of the use of filter fences for erosion control in the aftermath of potatoes on sloping land in Eastern Scotland’,
  • Stefan Jansen, Deltares, the Netherlands: ‘Site-specific and cost-effective removal of nutrients from tile drainage’,
  • Lærke Thorling, the National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Denmark: ‘How protection zones and land management restored nitrate contaminated groundwater on the Island of Tuno, Denmark’.

On the second day of the workshops, the Polish experience in reducing diffuse pollution in the Pilica catchment under EKOROB Project was presented:

  • Katarzyna Izydorczyk, European Regional Centre for Ecohydrology of the PAS:
  • ‘Highly effective buffer zones in the shoreline of the Sulejow Reservoir’;
  • Mikołaj Piniewski, Department of Water Engineering,  Warsaw University of Life Sciences: ‘Quantification of diffuse pollution sources in the Pilica River catchment using SWAT model’;
  • Wojciech Frątczak, Project Coordinator, Regional Water Management Authority in Warsaw: ‘Action Programme for reduction of diffuse pollution in the Pilica river catchment’.

A technical visit to LIFE + EKOROB Project demonstration sites crowned the event. The workshop participants and the foreign speakers could see the solutions implemented under the Project. During the visit to Zarzecin and Barkowice demonstration sites, biotechnology-oriented investments were presented, i.e. highly effective ecotones in which vegetation zones were reinforced by a denitrification wall and biogeochemical barrier.