2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Transboundary Issue
Dr Eng. Mariusz Adynkiewicz-Piragas
Dr Iwona Zdralewicz
Dr Iwona Lejcuś
PPs
Germany
Poland
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)
Greece
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
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 Graz
October, 10th 2012
Main tasks of the Institute include scientific
and development activities as well as state
services in the following domains:
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
The geographical situation of Poland causes,
that about 42 % of state border runs by
boundary waters, dominate boundary 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 and Ukraine,
the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of
Lithuania and the Russian Federation.
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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
Directive.
from
the
Water
Framework
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October, 10th 2012
Bilateral cooperation on boundary waters in the
field of water management is governed by
independent contracts and agreements between
the governments of bordering countries.
These agreements relate to the boundary
Poland
understood
border,
standing
run
waters
along
and
of
water
the
state
groundwater
flowing from the territory of one country to the
territory of the other at the intersection with the
state boundary line.
Germany
e
which
sections
n Neiss
courses
as
Lusatia
waters,
Odra
Czech Republic
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October, 10th 2012
SHARP
project
Meteorology
National
Branch
in
partner,
and
Water
Research
(PP6)
bilateral
is
Institute
of
Management
Institute
Wrocław
actively
involved
cooperation
on
boundary
waters with Germany and the Czech
Republic and International Commission for
Obrzyca (p)
the Protection of the Odra River.
Nysa Łużycka (l)
Barycz (p)
Bóbr (l)
Kaczawa (l)
Widawa (p)
Bystrzyca (l)
Ślęza (l)
Stobrawa (p)
Zlewnie:
bezpośrednia Odry
Oława (l)
prawych dopływów II rzędu
Mała Panew (p)
lewych dopływów II rzędu
Nysa Kłodzka (l)
Łaby
Rzeki:
Odra
dopływy II rzędu
pozostałe rzeki
25
50
75
100
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Bilateral cross-border cooperation 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
similar profile of activity.
and
offices
with
a
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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 crossborder areas. Adaptation has been developed jointly
with a partner PP8 and PP2. IMGW-PIB prepared a
working structure for adaptation.
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Development of adaptation was made ​according to the following points
1. Identification of legal basis and existing cooperation principles in PPs
countries.
2. Description and analysis of the scope of cooperation in PPs countries.
3. Characteristics of the main problems and benefits of border cooperation in
water management
4. Description and characteristics of the problems during implementation the
Water Framework Directive
5. Examples of the jointly developed projects concerning the issues of
groundwater management on transboundary water.
6. Collection and summary of cross-border problems
7. Develop of recommendations, guidelines and a common model for
cooperation on transboundary waters.
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October, 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
ICPE
Poland (89%)
Germany (65,5 %)
Czech Republic (5,4%)
Czech Republic (33,7 %)
Germany (4,7%)
Austria (0,6 %)
Poland (0,2 %)
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October, 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
to
sustainable
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.
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October, 10th 2012
Main most important characteristics of transboundary issues are:
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 Common approach and Joint Management Plans;
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 Identifying common objectives, principles and definitions;
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 Common management tools and measure programs;
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 Calculation of the water balance of the whole transboundary basin;
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 Inventory of current and future water needs in the transboundary basin;
 Ensuring cooperation between
institutional and legal arrangements;
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with
the
necessary
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 Recording οf the current state of the environment;
 Development and adaptation of a management model to manage the
quantity and quality of water resources taking under consideration the
cooperation principals of all countries involved;
 Promotion of economic and environmental cooperation in the region.
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2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Transboundary Issue is most relevant for all partners
but especially for PP6 and PP8.
Poland
Neisse
many years have worked together on bilateral cooperation on the
Odra
n
Lusatia
Both partners are mostly involved in the work on several Germany
international and transboundary commision. PP6 and PP8 since
Odra basin. At present, the cooperation in the scope of water
management on the boundary waters with the Federal Republic of
Germany is 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.
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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.
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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
COMMISSION
Heads of dalegations meetings
Secretariat
G1 Steering Group
WFD
GM Monitoring
GD Data
management
G2 Flood
GP River Basin
Management
Plan
G3 Accidental
Pollution
GE Economic
analysis
G4 Legal issues
GR Reporting
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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
Czech and German delegations
Heads of the delegations
President
Observer
Poland/Austria
Secretariat
D - FP
Flood Protection
CZ – H
Accidental water
pollution
D - WFD
Water Framework Directive
CZ – HY
Hydrology
CZ – SW
Surface water
D – GW
Groundwater
CZ – ECO
Economic analysis
D – DATA
Data management
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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
Authorized representatives
of the governments –
Secretaries of
Chairman
Appointed
commisions’
members
Chairmen of delegation
Heads of
Working Groups
W1
W2
W3
Hydrology and
hydrogeology
Water
protection
Emergency
pollution
W4
Maintenance
W5
Water management
planning
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 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.
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Proposal for working structure of transboundary cooperation
MINISTRY
Advisory members
Representative of the government
Heads of dalegations
Hydrogeology
Threats of
groudwater
resources
WFD
implementation
Water quality
Other groups
Water resources
management
Accidental
pollution
Maitenance
WORKING
GROUPS
Hydrology
Flood
EXPERTS GROUPS OR
TEMPORARY GROUPS
Secretariat
Rules of working groups
cooperations
Cooperation agree ment in the boundary waters
signed by the Head of State
COMMISSION
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Proposal of guidelines for good cooperation on the transboundary waters
1. Establishing cooperation on transboundary waters with the relevant institutions, experts,
etc.
2. Exchange of information on: the quantitative and qualitative water resources state, planned
investments in the border area and discussion about conflicts and problems.
3. Developing and signing a joint agreement on the management of transboundary water
resources.
4. The creation of the committee which will be responsible for the implementation of the
statements contained in the agreement
5. Appointment of members of committee, permanent and temporary working groups, and
external experts.
6. Establishing rules for cooperation
7. Establishing a schedule of meetings of committee, working groups and expert groups
8. Preparing reports on the progress of the committee and working groups operations
9. Implementation of common projects in order to solve the current problems.
2nd International Conference Graz
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Main benefits of the transboundary cooperation are:
 Economic growth. Reconcile the demands of different sectors for socioeconomic 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, nature
conservation and economic prosperity
 Bringing economic benefits to local economy,
2nd International Conference Graz
October, 10th 2012
Steps for a potentially successful implementation
1. Establishing a legal basis for cooperation in cross-border regions and the signing of a
cooperation agreement
2. The creation of appropriate structures and institutions at regional, national and crossborder levels determining the sustainable development and management of
transboundary waters
3. Intensification of cooperation between countries through meetings and exchange of
experience
4. The creation of a joint integrated management of transboundary basins in accordance
with the requirements of the WFD – international committees
5. The exchange of information and joint monitoring and evaluation of water resources in
the cross-border area
6. Local community participation
2nd International Conference Graz
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Main
problems
on
Transboundary Issue
the
implemetation
of
 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
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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-cooperation,
transboundary
water
management
will
progress.
Traditionally,
transboundary water resources management in Europe is started with the
development and implementation of international “agreements”.
2nd International Conference Graz
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Germany
Poland
Greece
Thank you for your attention !
Contact:
IMGW –PIB Branch in Wrocław
30 Parkowa Street
51-616 Wrocław
tel.: +48 (071) 328 28 07
mariusz.adynkiewicz@imgw.pl
www.imgw.pl