10 July 2015 r.

The first conference dedicated to results of strategic assessment of environmental impact for Flood Risk Management Plans took place on 6 July 2015 in Wrocław. The meeting was focused on the area of Odra River basin which includes, in particular, Aquatic Region of Upper Odra River and Aquatic Region of Central Odra River. The conference gathered 79 participants representing different public administration bodies from several voivodships, among them, representatives of Regional Directorate of Environmental Protection, Voivodship Board of Drainage and Water Devices, District Heads of Counties, City Halls, Marshal’s Offices and Provincial Offices.

Representatives of National Water Management Board, Water Management Boards from Gliwice and Wrocław and representatives of the contractor preparing Flood Risk Management Plans for the area of Odra River basin were also present.

The conference was opened by director of Regional Water Management Board in Wrocław, Mr Edward Nawirski. Mr Nawirski acquainted the participants with the subject matter of the meeting, presented programme of the ongoing works and stressed the importance of the whole project through which it was possible to gather key information relating to management of flood risk.

The speakers included experts who are preparing the Flood Risk Management Plans and experts responsible for preparing the environmental impact forecast assessment together with the consortium.

Presentations focused on methodical approach to the structure and assessment of options in water regions used in preparing Flood Risk Management Plans and also method used to lay down assumptions to prepare the environmental impact assessment for the FRMPs.
Next part of the conference was focused on issues relating to potential environmental impacts of typical undertakings planned for implementation as a part of Flood Risk Management Plans. It should be emphasized that one of attachments to the report is a document which presents a profile of typical undertakings and their impact with a description of ways of mitigation and compensation (Attachment D. Methodical documentation, D.4 Profile of typical undertakings and their impact with a description of ways of mitigation).

Key presentation showed detailed results of environmental impact assessment report for Flood Risk Management Plans for the area of Odra River basin including results of assessment of operations highlighted in Flood Risk Management Plans for selected elements of environment.

The final part of the conference focused on the idea of public consultations that are carried out as a part of the strategic environmental impact assessment for the Flood Risk Management Plans project. It was followed by a summary of the conference.

The conference’s discussion raised, among others, issue of assessment questions including the fact that the assessment does not include other possibilities for developing the area which in some point in time will be a safe area. It was necessary to complete information relating to approach to the strategic impact assessment of the plan. An issue of the importance of reservoirs in the residents’ safety was also raised and wider approach to the issue of reservoirs and biodiversity was suggested.

The discussion part of the conference assumed comments and proposals that participants could raise through a form attached to the conference papers. However, none of the participants presented any comments nor proposals in a written form.

In the meeting, the participants were informed about possibility of reading the texts of strategic environmental impact assessment and draft Flood Risk Management Plans during public consultations between 10 July and 31 July 2015. The texts will be available on the project’s website www.powodz.gov.pl. Also in this period there will be an opportunity to make comments and send proposals through the project’s website, in person in National Water Management Board’s office and Regional Water Management Board’s office or send them by post to National Water Management Board’s office address.