8 September 2014 r.

Nearly 150 people, representatives of more than 90 communes and institutions connected with water management in three regions (voivodeships): śląskie, opolskie and małopolskie got a head start on drafting the first issue of the Flood Risk Management Plans in the water region of Small Vistula and Upper Oder River. The works are led by the Regional Water Management Authority in Gliwice.

The heads of the cities and communes, representatives of interested groups and circles met on 5 September in Katowice in order to table, for the first time, solutions that will contribute to developing “Reliable Plans” in their neighbourhoods.
Works that in the water region of Small Vistula and Upper Oder River are led by the Regional Water Management Authority in Gliwice will end in 2015 giving a rise to a document that will cover all aspects of flood risk management, such as: prevention, preparing for the water rising, protection and early warning. This scope of subjects will be used by the Steering Committees, Planning Groups and Sub-basins Planning Teams to develop a catalogue of solutions /technical and non-technical/, which are to prevent or minimise the risk and the consequences of a flood. Those plans will cover measures dedicated to sustainable spatial development, more effective water retention and reduced risk in the event of a flood. They will also take into account cost and benefits analysis, areas with retention potential as well as environmental goals included in the Framework Water Directive, rules governing water management and forms of soil use, elements of spatial planning and development, nature protection.

The responsibility for flood risk management and implementation of measures in this field falls upon several competent units representing both government and self-government authorities. Therefore, the Regional Water Management Authority in Gliwice decided to encourage representatives of the communes and institutions located in the areas that are at major risk of flooding to cooperate. Hence, as a result, a necessity to look at this ambitious venture important for the water region’s safety from an interdisciplinary perspective. The solutions that will be jointly developed in our water region inhabited by nearly 11% of the country’s population will become a part of the Flood Risk Management Plans covering the whole country. The Flood Risk Management Plans will be in force for 6 years, after that period they will be reviewed and updated.

© RZGW Gliwice

© RZGW Gliwice

© RZGW Gliwice