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Holter-Hammrich Area - Flood Protection and Nature Conservation, Germany

National Id
Germany-01
Site name
Halter-Hommrich
Summary
This Project realized a combination of three natural water retention measures: the restoration of meadows and pastures (A1) as well as a large floodplain (N3). Furthermore reduced tillage (A7) was introduced to the area. The location of the measures was in north-west Germany within the river basin district Weser (DE4000). They were directed at national policy contexts, namely the Lower Saxony otter protection program and the Lower Saxony wetlands protection program, although they also mitigate impacts identified by the WFD. As mentioned above, the measures also served the creation of large scale floodplains. As result a wide variety of stakeholders were involved in the implementation, ranging from nature conservation agencies and water managers to local farmers. Therefore, different parts of the measures could be financed by different sources.
Apart from the main objectives of the project, it was also an important success in terms of cooperation of different stakeholders.
Light or indepth?
In-depth
The in-depth description of the case study
cs-de-01-holter-final_version.pdf
NUTS Code
Weser-Ems
RBD code
DE4000
Transboundary
0
Contact
Tamer Fawzy, BEF DE
Source(s)
Modelprojekt Holter-Hammrich
Sponge Measure(s) implemented in the case study
Wetland restoration and management
Meadows and pastures
Green cover
Longitude
7.6115
Latitude
53.1982
Climate zone
cool temperate moist
Mean annual rainfall
0 - 300 mm
Mean rainfall unit
mm/year
Temperature
9
Mean runoff unit
450 - 600 mm
Type
Actual Test Site
Mean annual runoff range
150 - 300 mm
Average slope range
0%-1%
Vegetation class
Grassland
Monitoring impacts effects
0
Performance impact estimation method
Unknown
Performance impact estimation information
N.A.
Application scale
Field Scale
Installation date
2011-05
Lifespan
40
Age
3
Performance timescale
1 - 4 years
Project area
223
Area subject to Land use change or Management/Practice change (ha)
223
Size
223
Size unit
ha
Design capacity
3800000
Basis of design
rainfall
Constraints
none
Favourable preconditions
natural site conditions, in particular the height variations of the area
Design contractual arrangement
Arrangement type Responsibility Role Name Comments
Design consultation activity
Activity stage Key issues Name Comments
Design land use change
Land use change type Comment
Design Authority
Authority type Authority name Role Comments
National water authority
Martin Wendeburg
Implementation
Key lessons
A continuous and open discussion between all involved groups led to a high acceptance of the overall process. It was a key lesson of this measure that cooperation between different sectors (flood protection, nature conservation etc.) as well as different stakeholder groups (government agencies, NGO†™s) are able to cooperate in effective networks, when a consistency of goals is given.
Success factor(s)
Success factor type Success factor role Comments
Attitude of relevant stakeholders
Communication activities
Barrier
Barrier type Barrier role Comments
Other
There were no major implementation barriers, although the benefit for nature conservation aspects were doubted by nature conservation NGO†™s. It was argued that the use of the structure as a flood protection and water storage facility would counteract the habitat restoration means in extreme cases of floods. By a continuous and open discussion these uncertainties were resolved.
Driver
Driver type Driver role Comments
Organisation committed to it
main driver
The NLWKN is the Nature Protection Agency of Lower Saxony
Availability of subsidies
secondary driver
Policy description
Nutrient Pollution
Policy target
Target purpose
Improved Biodiversity
Policy pressure
Pressure directive Relevant pressure
Policy area
Policy area type Policy area focus Name Comments
Policy impact
Impact directive Relevant impact
Wider plan type
Wider plan type Wider plan focus Name Comments
Lower Saxony otter protection programme
Lower Saxony wetlands protection programme
Requirement directive
Requirement directive Specification
Direct benefits information
none
Costs investment
12600000
Costs investment information
Technical constructions
Specially prepared trail for nature information and experience
New Roads for farmers
Costs operation maintenance
N.A.
Total cost
12600000
Costs total information
see above
Information on Economic costs - income loss
Actual income loss: Lease Agreements are given out for free, due to heavy regulations for farming
Ecosystem improved biodiversity
1
Information on Ecosystem improved biodiversity
Extensification or abandonment of agricultural use and high water levels in spring support an increase of characteristic breeding birds for example. Amphibians benefit from standing water bodies.
Information on Ecosystem provisioning services
N.A.
Ecosystem impact climate regulation
No information available
Information on Ecosystem impact climate regulation
N.A.
Information on retained water
3.8 million m3
Information on increased water storage
N.A.
Information on runoff reduction
N.A.
Water quality overall improvements
N/A info
Information on Water quality overall improvements
N.A.
Soil quality overall soil improvements
N/A info
Information on Soil quality overall soil improvements
N.A.