On June 29-30, 2021, the ICPDR organized its Public Consultation Workshop “Our Opinion – Our Danube” focusing on the discussion on the updated Danube River Basin Management – , and Danube Flood Risk Management Plans. On the morning of the first day, following the presentation of the ICPDR Executive Secretary (Ivan Zavadsky) and the ICPDR President (Momčilo Blagojević), the main Stakeholder groups gave their positions on these plans:
- Irene Lucius of WWF-CEE
- Gerd Frik of VGB Powertech e.v.
- Theresia Hacksteiner of the European Barge Union
- Gerhard Nagl of the Danube Environmental Forum
- Peter Gammeltoft of the Danube Sturgeon Task Force
- Cristina Sandu of the International Association for Danube Research (IAD)
- Balázs Horváth of Priority Area 4 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR PA 4)
- László Balatonyi of Priority Area 5 of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR PA 5)
- and Prof. Dr. Wolfram Mauser of Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich
The speeches were followed by discussions in smaller groups, which results were reported back on the second day. An important feedback – among others – from the EUSDR PA4 point was that all elements of the updated Roadmap have significance from the Stakeholders view as well. A particular emphasis is on broadening cooperation with relevant economic sectors with specific focus on cooperation between agriculture and water management. It is important to coordinate the activities related to the implementation of certain existing framework directives (Drinking Water Directive, Wastewater Directive, etc.) and to take into account the effects of climate change. Of course, the issue of migratory fish species was highlighted during the consultation and it was emphasized that any intervention in the hydromorphology of the river has an impact on aquatic ecosystems and that should be considered before intervention (encouraging green investment).
The public consultation workshop closed on 30 September, and related press release has been published on the ICPDR website:
If you have time, please raise your voice, express your opinion and fill in the questionnaire also available in your language in the following website:
https://www.icpdr.org/forms/wfd-fd-questionnaire-2021-languages
The public consultation process runs until 30 September 2021. Don’t miss the chance and raise your voice.
