News

Field survey activities on the Romanian bank

During October and November 2017 a team of experts from EPC Consultanta de mediu carried out field survey activities on the Romanian Danube River bank between Gârla Mare and Popina critical points and during March 2018 on the following sectors:
The sector between Popina and Kosui critical points;
The sector between Batin and Belene critical points;
Corabia critical points;
Bechet critical points.

The scope of the surveys was to collect information on habitats, flora, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds (last nesting, autumn migration) and mammals.

In October 2017 a team of Bulgarian experts (DICON Group - Bulgaria) also performed field surveys in all 12 critical points located inside or partly within Natura 2000 sites. Field investigations aimed at collecting/onsite confirmation of existing data on natural habitats, wild fauna and flora species for the Bulgarian bank and their documentation.

During October and November 2017 and in July 2018 a team of experts from INCD - "Delta Danube Delta" Tulcea was present in the field to determine mainly the nature of the substrate, GPS location of the areas of interest as reproduction areas for sturgeons, depth and water velocity (with ADV) above the river bottom in gravel/rocky substrate areas along the entire Danube, in the following critical points: Gârla Mare, Salcia, Bechet, Corabia, Belene, Vardim, Iantra, Batin, Kosui and Popina.
Following the filed investigations carried out, the experts from INCD – ,,Delta Dunării“ Tulcea developed the report on " Migratory Fish Habitat Assessment - field work results & Initial assessment of proposed actions regarding navigation", a preliminary version containing recommendations on initial proposals to improve the navigation in 5 critical points.

Considering the complexity of the Project both from the technical point of view and the specific conditions of the site, the Consultant (Halcrow Romania SRL) took the necessary steps to organize meetings with each custodian / administrator of Natura 2000 site from the project area, in order to present the project, its specificities and also to request the data necessary to assess the impact on the conservation status of species and habitats of Community interest in Natura 2000 sites under their custody or managed by them:

Halcrow – Echilibru Association Meeting (Bucharest, March 2, 2018);
Halcrow – Romanian Ornithological Society (Bucharest, March 2, 2018);
Halcrow – Baneasa Forest District Baneasa Commune, Constanta County (Baneasa Commune, March 5, 2018);
Halcrow – Buttetrfly Effect SRL (Craiova, March 6, 2018);
Halcrow – Craiova Forestry Directorate (Craiova, March 6, 2018);
Halcrow – The Dolj County Center for Nature Protection, Tourism, and Sustainable Rural Development, Dolj County Council (Craiova, March 6, 2018);
Halcrow – WWF Danube Carpathian Programme Romania (Bucharest, March 9, 2018);
Halcrow – Bio Romania Association (Bucharest, March 9, 2018);
Halcrow – Romanian National Agency Of Natural Protected Areas (Bucharest, March 15, 2018).

The second measurements campaign was completed

The second measurements campaign was completed on August 24th 2017.
S.C. Marine Research S.R.L. and iC Consulenten d.o.o., members of the consortium led by S.C. Halcrow Romania S.R.L., carried out hydrographic, hydrodynamic and sedimentation measurements in the second measurement campaign, across the Danube, on the sector between 375 – 863 km.
The methodology and duration (60 days for measurements and 30 days for data processing) were the same as in the first measurements campaign.
As requested by the ToR, the second topographic campaign was executed in order to calibrate and validate the mathematical model. The second LiDAR campaign took place between July 15th 2017 and July 27th 2017 and took place at low levels.
The data for the approximately two weeks of the LiDAR measurements campaign contain the LiDAR gross measurements and additional information for the entire area of interest of the project.
In the near future, the Measurements Report - the second campaign (studies, investigations, measurements) will be prepared.
Detailed information on the results of the second measurements campaign and the mathematical model will be presented during the second workshop, which will be held in Bucharest in mid-November, 2017.
Date: 29.08.2017

For a second measurement campaign, all ships, equipments and devices were prepared

For a second measurement campaign, all ships, equipments and devices were prepared.
The methodology and duration (60 days for measurements and 30 days for data processing) to carry out the measurements will be the same as in the first campaign.
To meet the deadline, the teams of qualified personnel were mobilized for all types of measurements: hydrographic, hydrodynamic, topography, sediments samples collection.
The activities to be carried out will consist of the following:

Establish reference points;
Hydrographic surveys;
Topographical surveys;
Hydrodynamic surveys;
Sediment surveys.

Thus, on July 10, 2017 the second measurement campaign began. Between 12.07.2017 - 17.07.2017 hydrographic and hydrodynamic measurements and sediments samples collection will be carried out in the sector between 818 - 860 km.
For topographic surveys, LiDAR scanning data collection will begin on 15.07.2017 and will take for 6 days (in favorable flight conditions), after which the data will be processed.
After the completion, processing and integration of hydrographic and topographic measurements, will be obtained the DTM (grid 50 / 50cm) specific to the second measurement campaign.
After the performing and completion of the second field study (hydrographic, topographical, hydrodynamic and sediments), a comprehensive assessment of the river morphology will be done based on the results of the sediment study to understand the source, transport and sedimentation type, which are generally responsible for critical areas (with jams) along the Danube.
Based on the results from the complementary studies, will be identified and analyzed the potential options and scenarios that will be tested. Based on the results of the second measurement campaign, calibration of the hydrodynamic and transport model will be carried out, and the detailed modeling of the identified options will be initiated.
Date: 14.07.2017

First measurements campaign was completed

1. First measurements campaign was completed on 12th June 2017. The measurements were performed from km 375 downstream to km 863 upstream.

The measurements team consisted in personnel qualified for all types of measurements.

The activities performed included the following:

Establishement of benchmarks, completed on 12th June 2017;
Hydrographic surveys, completed on 12th June 2017;
Topographic surveys, completed on 23rd April 2017;
Hydrodynamic surveys, completed on 12th June 2017;
Sediment surveys, completed on 12th June 2017;
Geotechnical investigations, completed on 26th May 2017;
Aerial imagery, completed on 12th June 2017;
Inventory of banks and structures (geo-refferenced photos);
Inventory of economical and cultural activities within the river bed.

All collected data are to be processed in the following period. The ships, the equipment and the devices required for the second measurements campaign are to be prepared in parallel.

2. The permitting procedure for the project started with the submition on 7th-8th June 2017 of the requests for the issuance of the urbanism certificates to the county and local authorities within project area, respectively Călăraşi County Council, Giurgiu County Council, Mehedinţi County Council and Dolj County Council and Corabia City Hall.
Until now, the urbanism certificates obtained were no. 266/26.06.2017, issued by Corabia City Hall, and no. 183/19.06.2017, issued by Călăraşi County Council. The rest of the urmanism certificates are to be issued by the competent authorities.

3. The environmental impact assessment procedure will be started in Romania and Bulgaria after the issuance of all urbanism certificates.

4. The first workshop will have as theme ”Field measurements and environmental aspects” and will be organized in Bucharest on 4th July 2017. The estimated number of participants is of minimum 50 (local and central Romanian and Bulgarial authorities representatives, NGOs, JASPERS, etc.). The main topics on the workshop’s agenda are:

Measurements campaign (short presentation movie);
Hydrographic and hydrodynamic measurements;
Sediments;
Geotechnics;
ADCP;
Environmental aspects (EIA, banks inventory);
Future activities.

The presentation materials from the workshop will be distributed to all invitees.

Date: 03.07.2017

Contract signing ’’Technical Assistance for Revising and Complementing the Feasibility Study Regarding the Improvement of Navigation Conditions on the Romanian-Bulgarian Common Sector of the Danube and Complementary Studies”

On 07.03.2017, Galati Lower Danube River Administration, A. A., as beneficiary, signed the contract no. 19/07.03.2017, for "Technical Assistance for Revising and Complementing the Feasibility Study Regarding the Improvement of Navigation Conditions on the Romanian-Bulgarian Common Sector
of the Danube and Complementary Studies" with HALCROW ROMANIA SRL.

The first measurement campaign began on April 6, 2017, according to the contract 3 days after the issue of the Commencement Notice, on 03.04.2017. The measurements will be carried out from the downstream 375 km to upstream 863 km.

Activities to be carried out consist of: