Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 1 The EU life project WAgriCo as a contribution for the implementation of the EC WFD GroPro Groundwater Protection Plans and Implementation in a North European Perspective Korsör September 2008

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 2 Content Starting point – The Lower Saxon co-operation model WAgriCo – Experiences, results and conclusions WAgriCo – Contributions to the implementation of the WFD

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 3 The Federal States Lower Saxony (LS) Total area km²

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 4 Land Use in Lower Saxony Total area km² Agricultural Use km² (64%) - Arable Land km² (63%) - Pasture km² (37%) Forest km² (23%) Farmers

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 5 Pressures - N-surpluses from agriculture ( ) N-surpluses from agriculture ( ) Reference: LBEG / FZ Jülich

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 6 Co-operative Approach in Water Catchments Stakeholders: Water management authority Local water supplier Ch. of Agriculture Farmers spokesman Advisory service Approx. 115 Co- operations cover ca ha statewide ca Farmers

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 7 The Co-operative Approach Free Advisory Service –Individual voluntary consulting service for agriculture, forestry and market gardening Voluntary Agreements –Negotiation of Voluntary Agreements to implement measures for groundwater protection (Catalologue of Measures, e.g. catch crops, maize with undersown grass, N reduced crop rotation systems, new techniques for slurry application …) Efficiency Control

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 8 Lessons learned from the co-operative approach in LS Evident reduction of diffuse pollution by the co-operative approach. A sustainable water resources management needs a strong stakeholder participation. The implemantation of measures needs to be accompanied by an advisory service. Efficient monitoring strategy is necessary. Forward looking strategies in view of EU WFD

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 9 Compliance with the requirements of the WFD means a reduction of diffuse pollution – 2010 implementation of measures! WAgriCo – Objectives Based on longtime experience in (ground-)water protection strategies in LS and the UK working on strategies for large scale implementation: Concepts for measure planning and implementation of measures to reduce diffuse pollution – based on a stakeholder approach Reduction requirements and impact of measures Concept for impact monitoring Implementation of integrated PoMs into Agri-Environmental Programmes Statewide and international transfer of experience from the pilot areas to enhance the stakeholder approach

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 10 WAgriCo Project Partners in LS and UK Lower Saxony Ministry for Environment and Climate Protection Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (Beneficiary, Coordinator) State Agency for Mining, Energy and Geology Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries Research Centre Jülich UK Water Industry Research ADAS UK Ltd. National Farmers Union Environment Agency Wessex Water Services Limited Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 11 Lager-Hase Ilmenau/Jeetzel Große Aue Pilot Areas in Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 12 Pilot Areas in the United Kingdom

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 13 Important steps in WAgriCo Measure compilation and implementation Measure evaluation and measure impact Modelling the effects on large scale

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 14 Measure compilation and implementation in LS + 1. turn 2. turn3. turn -Voluntary Agreements (water protection areas) - Agri-environmental schemes - other projects Not suitable on state level Further qualification Suitable measures (action and result-oriented) + Measure implementation Autumn/Winter turn ++ Measure implementation Spring 2007 Measure implementation Autumn/Winter 2007 Measure implementation Spring 2008

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 15 Active Greening Reduced tillage (maize, sugar beet) Application of farmyard manure (new techniques, time restrictions) Optimised mineral fertilizing Categories of Measures

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 16 Pilot AreaLager Hase Große Aue Ilmenau/ Jeetzel Sum of agricultural area [ha] per season Number of farms Fall Spring Fall Spring Sum of agricultural area [ha] per pilot area Implementation of measures within the pilot areas of LS

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 17 Participation process Feed back from local farmer groups in pilot areas Discussion in expert groups and national steering group Discussion and exchange with ministries for environment and agriculture

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 18 Measure evaluation and measure impact Criteria Ecological impact (SMN, N-Balance) Acceptance (factors affecting acceptance, potential area for implementation, time restrictions) Economic analysis (e.g.transaction costs) Based on long term experience from the co-operative approach in water catchments and research projects Compilation of characteristics for every measure

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 19 EffectPaymentEfficiencyPotential areaAcceptance [kg N/ha][€/ha][€/kg N][ha][%] Summer crops with early harvest in previous year 40 Secure effect High cost- efficiency Large potential area High acceptance Costs, effects and acceptance: e. g. catch crops

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 20 Modelling the effects of measures implementation 1.Which are the target areas (individual hydro- geological units as part of the gw-bodies)) for measure implementation in LS? 2.What reduction is required in the individual hydro- geological units? 3.What can be achieved by optimum implementation?

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 21 Target areas for the implementation of water protection measures Reference: Draft LBEG, WFD – Target areas for the implementation of water protection measures

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 22 < ,5 7, ,5 12, NO3-Reduction (mg / l ) Effects of measure implementation Mean reduction of NO 3 -concentration in the hydro-geological units Modelling results: achievable reduction in nitrate concentrations

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 23 Effects of measure implementation Reduction of nitrate concentration in relation to target value < Proportion of required reduction (% ) Modelling results: probability of target achievement

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 24 Objective: Programme of Measures Components Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 25 Result-Oriented Measure Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring Innovative Approach: Funding an improved N-efficiency on farm level Farmer is free in his decision for optimising strategies Sound support by advisory service Constraints Data collation is very time consuming Very heterogeneous database according to farmtype Statewide comparable and reliable data base is necessary according to EU requirements Work will continue (e.g. standardisation) Discussion to integrate this approach into an advisory measure

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 26 Efficient measure planning and implementation should be accompa- nied by advisory service! Multi-level advisory service (basic, intensive) Assignment with initial and further training Service Advisory Service Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 27 Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring State level: Basic emission survey (agricultural statistics) Soil observation sites Statewide measuring network (WFD) Farm level: Modellfarm network - Calculatory: N-balance on farm and parcel level - Analytically: SMN; groundwater samples Impact Monitoring

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 28 There is evidence for considerable reductions in NO 3 -concentrations by the application of the investigated measures. - But reduction targets are not achievable in all areas only with action-oriented measures (e.g. high percentage of arable land and high livestock density). Measures implementation has to be supported by qualified advisory services. Additional effects have to be considered: - more intensive production due to increase of agricultural commodity prices - expected reduction of N-surpluses due to new version of fertilizer ordinance in LS Additional efforts have to be made to achieve the targets of the WFD: - increase of N-efficiency on the farms by consultancy and education - innovative measures (e.g. „result-oriented measures“) - technical solutions (e.g. „storage capacity”) Conclusions from LS and UK

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 29 Guideline for stakeholder participation Methodology for setting geographic priorities Concept for measure planning and implementation Proposal for a catalogue of efficient action-oriented measures to be implemented into agri-environmental schemes Experiences with a result-oriented measure Concept for advisory service and further and initial training Concept for impact monitoring (farm, regional, state level) Transfer of experience into river basin cooperations (forum of the stakeholders in the river basins in LS) WAgriCo – Contributions for the implementation of the WFD

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 30 Thank You for Your Attention!

Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 31 Further Information: WAgriCo Overall Coordination Dr. Astrid Krüger NLWKN-Direktion Göttinger Chaussee 76A Hannover Tel.: 0511/ WAgriCo Technical Coordination Hubertus Schültken NLWKN Bst. Hannover-Hildesheim Göttinger Chaussee 76A Hannover Tel.: 0511/ Contact: and