LIFE RINASCE - Naturalistic Restoration for the integrated hydraulic-environmental Sustainability of the Emilian Canals LIFE13 ENV/IT/000169

Transcription

1 LIFE RINASCE - Naturalistic Restoration for the integrated hydraulic-environmental Sustainability of the Emilian Canals LIFE13 ENV/IT/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Contact person: Aronne Ruffini Tel: aruffini@emiliacentrale.it Project description: Background Most European floodplains are crossed by a dense network of channels, created to protect areas from flooding and to enable the land to be used, typically for agriculture. Managed by land reclamation authorities, the channels facilitate the drainage of rainwater off the floodplain. They can also be used to store water during the summer months for irrigation purposes. However, it is increasingly understood that these artificial works are one of the main causes of flood-related problems, including incidents of catastrophic damage. By altering a natural hydrographical network, such a system of artificial channels can impair the ability of a floodplain to cope with high water levels and periods of heavy rainfall. Application of two important European directives the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) and Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) needs to take into account these artificial networks of channels. Specific restoration methodologies and approaches are needed. Objectives The LIFE RINASCE project aims to reduce the risk of flooding and achieve good ecological status of the waters in the Po floodplain through ecological restoration of the channel network and vegetation management. It hopes to demonstrate the

2 feasibility and environmental and socio-economic benefits of such measures on a large floodplain area. The project plans to develop an integrated restoration programme for floodplain channels using river restoration methods and protocols for sustainable management of aquatic and riparian vegetation. Planned interventions will aim to restore hydraulic functions of the floodplain, reduce the risk of flooding and improve the ecology. The project will implement ecological restoration interventions on four different channels in the River Po floodplain. Interventions will include: The natural enlargement of a section of channel through excavation of a bank between two channels which run side-by-side to improve drainage; Enlargement of the natural channel for plumbing and water treatment plants to improve drainage; Lowering the floodplain and creating an arboreal strip of plants and shrubs to improve the ecological value in compatibility with hydraulic functions; and Creating a wetland to mitigate flood risks through water retention and to purify the water retained. The project team will conduct physico-chemical, ecological, geo-morphological and hydraulic monitoring of the channel-restoration and vegetation-management interventions to demonstrate their effectiveness. It will also map the wider drainage area managed by the land reclamation authority to prepare future extension of the project s channel restorations and create operational guidelines for funding programmes. Expected results: Restoration of a seven kilometre stretch of canals through the creation and/or the lowering of three hectares of floodplain areas and vegetation; Creation of a two hectare wetland; Sustainable management of vegetation along one kilometre of channels; Integrated ecological, hydraulic and economic evaluations of the interventions; Improved ecological status of the channels and reduced flood events; Demonstration of the potential feasibility and benefits of the ecological restoration measures on a larger scale; Mapping of the wider drainage channel network; and Operational guidelines for specific funding programmes. Results

3 Environmental issues addressed: Themes Environmental management - Integrated management Habitats - Freshwater Risk management - Natural risks (Flood - Forest fire - Landslide) Water - River basin management Keywords wetland flood protection river management restoration measure Natura 2000 sites Not applicable Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners Consorzio di bonifica dell'emilia Centrale Regional authority The land reclamation authority of Emilia Centrale is a public body that ensures the proper management and distribution of surface water for irrigation and soil protection purposes. In the Po plain, it ensures proper drainage of rainwater through collection, removal and disposal. RER(Regione Emilia-Romagna), Italy Administrative data: Project reference LIFE13 ENV/IT/ Duration 02-JUL-2014 to 21-DEC Total budget 2,076, EU contribution 941, Project location Emilia-Romagna(Italia)

4 Read more: Title: "LIFE RINASCE LIFE13 ENV/IT/000169: comprensorio territoriale del Consorzio di Bonifica dell'emilia Centrale" (388 KB) Centrale No of pages: 4 Title: "Project LIFE13 ENV/IT/ "RINASCE": Naturalistic restoration ofr the integrated hydraulic-environmental sustainability of the Emilian canals" (600 KB) Editor: Regione Emilia Romagna No of pages: 2 Title: "Il Progetto LIFE13 ENV/IT/ RINASCE" (591 KB) Editor: Regione Emilia Romagna No of pages: 2 Newsletter Title: Newsletter Nr. 1 (30/03/2016) Year: 2016 Newsletter Title: Newsletter Nr. 1 (30/03/2016) Year: 2016 Newsletter Title: Newsletter Nr. 2 (30/06/2016) Year: 2016 Newsletter Title: Newsletter Nr. 2 (30/06/2016) Year: 2016 No of pages: 3 Title: "LIFE13 ENV/IT/ RINASCE: Naturalistic Restoration for the integrated hydraulic-environmental sustainability of the Emilian Canals" (742 KB) Editor: Consorzio di Title: "RINASCE: Riqualificazione Naturalistica per la sostenibilità integrata idraulico ambientale dei Canali Emiliani (LIFE13 ENV/IT/000169)" (2.26 MB) Editor: Consorzio di Title: "LIFE13 ENV/IT/ RINASCE: RIqualificazione NAturalistica per la Sistemazione integrata idraulico-ambiental dei Canali Emiliani" (742 KB) Editor: Consorzio di Project web site Project's website

5 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more