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WCC 2020 Res 008 - Activity Report

Submitted by Calin.Dejeu on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 14:35
General Information
Protecting rivers and their associated ecosystems as corridors in a changing climate
IUCN Constituent: 
IUCN WCPA Freshwater : Network 2021-2025
IUCN Constituent type: 
Period covered: 
2022
Geographic scope: 
European Union (EU)
Country/Territory: 
Romania
In implementing this Resolution your organization has worked/consulted with...
IUCN Members: 
No other Members are/have been involved
IUCN Commissions: 
No Commissions are/have been involved
IUCN Secretariat: 
No
Other non-IUCN related organisations: 
Asociația Declic, WWF
Implementation
Indicate and briefly describe any actions that have been carried out to implement this Resolution: 
ActionDescriptionStatus
Field activitiesWestern Jiu River represents the upper reaches of Jiu River, the only big mountain river which still flows free in Romanian Carpathians. Western Jiu River is a very important river, due to its unique characteristics. It is placed between Retezat National Park and Jiu Gorge National Park, thus constituting a very important green corridor. It is one of the very few rivers with substantial flow from Romania still having a natural flow, not diminished by hydropower developments. Western Jiu River is the habitat of several protected species and provides significant ecosystem services to the inhabitants of the four towns it passes through, Uricani, Lupeni Vulcan and Aninoasa. Despite its ecological importance, the protection of the river is completely neglected by the Jiu Basin Water Administration, in defiance of the public pressure demanding the protection of this emblematic river. The lower stretch of the river was poisoned in August 2021, thousands of dead fish floated downstream. But the worst danger for the river lies ahead, is represented by a devastating river regulation project. The project is called: “Securing the Valea de Pești dam, Hunedoara County”. The project is aimed to be financed from EU funds and represents an utter breaching of Water Framework Directive. Based on two fake studies (EIA and Impact on the Water Body Assessment), the Hunedoara County Environmental Agency issued a draft of an environmental permit. The significant negative impact of this river regulation project is mentioned in the report of the ”Living Rivers Europe” coalition, called THE FINAL SPRINT FOR EUROPE’S RIVERS, at page 71. Considering the status of the institutional framework in Romania, a lawsuit will be needed to stop this ecocide. Fieldwork is needed in order to challenge the two fake studies mentioned above. On-going
Please report on the result /achievement of the actions taken: 
By field work several data were gathered, dismissing the allegations in the fake studies mentioned above. But the two threatened water bodies on Western Jiu and some of its tributaries need more field research.
What challenges have you encountered in implementing this Resolution and what measures have you taken to overcome them?: 
The conflict of interests which governs the water management in Romania, which causes the total refuse of the authorities with regard to adopting the paradigm shift in water management which took place in the rest of Europe.
Identify and briefly describe what future actions are planned for the implementation of this Resolution: 
Future ActionDescription
OtherThe only future action with real chances to save Western Jiu River is a lawsuit to annull the environmental permit.
Additional Information
Upload document: 
Image icon Western Jiu.jpg
External link(s): 
THE FINAL SPRINT FOR EUROPE’S RIVERS