Nowadays, many river basins within the North Sea Region face lots of problems that affect the natural processes of the areas. Among these problems the most significant are declining bio-diversity and loss of historic landscape character, which result from previous inappropriate water management policies and flood plain development as well as from increasing demands of agriculture. The aim of the SPARC project is to promote an integrated management of river corridors in the North Sea Region. Such common approach is needed for appropriate regeneration and reconstruction of the river basins as well as for the enhancement of their natural, cultural and historic environment.

There are two main objectives of the project. On the one hand, it aims to increase cooperation between all interested parties in management of river corridors, i.e. identify appropriate bodies and individuals undertaking the work, elaborate mechanisms for them to meet, reach consensus, and exercise control over the development of the river corridors. On the other hand, the aim is to demonstrate, in a practical way, how to apply an integrated management strategy through a series of projects in each of the partner-led areas.

Expected Outcomes

Apart from the strengthened common approach to protection of natural processes within the river basins covered by the project, e.g. Ganer River Basin, River Trent UK, Wietze Stream in Germany or Gunnared in Sweden, there is a lot of expected outcomes resulting from the integrated management. According to estimates, the minimum area of land undergoing beneficial change as a consequence of project implementation is 250 Ha. Moreover, it is expected that more than 10 km of river will be restored and about 25 water-sampling points will be showing improved quality. Conditions will be improved for re-introduction of rare breeding species, while more people are expected to enjoy their surroundings because of the more appealing recreational opportunities.

Activities

The overarching project work focuses on setting up mechanisms for establishing local partnerships and engaging communities in the development of rivers and their corridors. Using dynamic approaches, such as, setting competitions between different development options is an example. In this way, the partners believe, through developing different methodologies, integrated solutions will be found. In this process, the conservation of natural resources is also integrated with scientific research. Yet another important strand of the work is dedicated to monitoring the environmental impacts of the implemented measures. In practice, partners have witnessed that the impact of regeneration work carried out is not properly assessed. Monitoring the change of environmental parameters, they will argue, can provide important concrete information on the success of the measures applied. All of the partners undertake concrete pilot projects. That is why a wide range of activities, e.g. restoration, preservation of river corridor environment, re-establishment of natural processes and sustainable land management practices are embedded into each pilot work. For example, a pilot in Denmark looks at planning the future of a rapidly changing catchment area (an area where an expanding urban population meets a large nature project as well as traditional farming area) and in the UK it is planned to return a large area used for arable crops back to its original purpose ? wet grazing. In the Netherlands new connections will be established between waterways and Sweden will experiment with implementing natural filtration systems for effluent treatment.

Reported Outcomes

The Strategic Partnerships in River Corridors (SPARC) project is designed to promote the integrated management of river corridors in northern Europe. It will provide advice and understanding for regenerating river corridors and enhancing their natural, cultural and historic environments. The project consists of seven sub-projects, involving different ways of promoting the integrated management of river corridors in northern Europe (as the Water Framework Directive requires such an approach). The East Midlands Strategic River Corridors Group intend to work on up to three practical demonstrations of integrated river corridor management. - Beckingham Marshes - Wetland Habitat creation (Lower reaches of the R Trent) - River Nene Regional Park - Greenland infra-structure study (Middle reaches of R Trent) - "On Trent" proposals for specific restoration/improvement works at various locations on the River Trent. When the wet woodlands feasability study has been completed On Trent will have successfully identified a site that is suitable to develop as a large wet woodland flood storage area next to the River Trent, that will create no significant environmental impact. The site selction procedure will thus demonstrate best practice, incorporating all possible constraints relevant to integrated river management. The Trent River Park project is continuing as a succesful partnership seeking creating and inspring urban generation within the waterside areas of Nottingham. The West Northamptonshire Green Infra-structure study consultation has developed a transferable methodology for Green infra-structure mapping and management. Green Infra-Structure Networks are a mechanism to enable the integration and co-ordination of input into green infra-structure from planners, developers, regional and local government bodies and other interest groups, particularly from the environment, heritage and recreation sectors. A design for sluices and an environmental statement have been produced by a consultant for the ongoing work within Beckingham Marshes. The revised design proposals were significant enough to merit a new planning application rather than appealing against the refusal of planning permission in December 2006. In Norjyllands region, the overall objective is to elaborate a sustainable long-term strategy for the development of the river basins based on co-operation and participation of stakeholders, focusing on sustainable land use management issues. The first report concludes that the oxygen deficit in the river is due to a combination of high oxygen consumption in the lake and reduced cutting of aquatic plants in the river. However, administrative changes in Denmark have led to a delay in the planning and preparation of the catchment strategy for the Lindenborg basin. The project is still not fully up to schedule but it is intent on catching up before March 2008. In Ringkjoebing county, Ganer River and Omme River are subject for implementation. These fjords suffers due to nutrient polluted water pressure. Ringkjoebing county is working on an action plan, solving this pollution pressure. The result so far has been a short report, stating the existing projects and ideas for new ones, and different stakeholders was asked to come up with as many ideas as possible to projects in the valley and ideas to how the ideas and projects can be connected and co-ordinated for the future. However, administrative changes in Denmark and the appointment of a new project manager has led to a delay in the completion of some work on the Omne river including the creation of buffer strips and river restoration work. The pilot project in Drenthe involves a part of the Runde Valley. The view on the ecological and economical conditions had been very limited. In this study with the new route (including Germany and Groningen), Drenthe wants to take into account these conditions as well (while crossing borders). Archaeological and soil studies have been carried out and the partnership has placed a tender in July and the work is about to commence in October 2006. In May 2007 the first draft was circulated to several authorities and consultative bodies who have given a positive response. The final version is planned in the autumn of 2007. In City of Langenhagen, the Wietze Stream is located at the fringe of Metropolitan Hanover; its water management is closely linked to the Hanover airport. Nevertheless, it offers a wide range of habitat potentials and recreational opportunities. One of the main objectives is to develop a decision support system in order to meet the habitat potentials for the future. Site work will start on August 28th 2007 and will be finished after 30 days. The district administration of Gunnared sub-project aims to establish co-operative practices and an exchange in experience, methods and knowledge in the area of good water flows and environment friendly projects. The project at Larjean Gardens has been connected to the mains water distribution system and had a three compartment tank and water pump installed to hold effluent from the site. The main activity has been the construction of a new waste water treatment system including planting, landscaping and the provision of information boards. Geo- and BioArchaelogical Institute in Amsterdam argues that climate changes have a tremendous effect on the long term preservation of archaelogical-historical sites and landscapes. It's aim is to bring forward guidelines for taking mitigation measures for the long term physical protection of archaelogical/historical heritage in river environments. The institute has been active in udertaking surveys at a number of partner sites. These surveys and questionnaires are also being developed to supplement the information gathered prior to the development of the toolkit.