1. FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT IN THE ODRA AND WISŁA RIVER BASINS
PAŃSTWOWE GOSPODARSTWO WODNE WODY POLSKIE
REGIONALNY ZARZĄD GOSPODARKI WODNEJ
W SZCZECINIE
STATE WATER MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
POLISH WATERS
REGIONAL WATER MANAGEMENT BOARD
IN SZCZECIN
FLOOD PROTECTION PROJECT
IN THE ODRA AND WISŁA RIVER BASINS
1.B.2 Modernisation works on the border Odra River
CONCLUSIONS from the EIA report

2. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of protected areas
The investment project to be implemented will be spatially located in the Odra river bed and in the right-hand part of its valley. Due to the significant distances, the project was divided into four sections with a different correlation with the forms of regional nature protection:
Section I, in the river kilometrage –
Section II, in the river kilometrage –
Section III, in the river kilometrage –
Section IV, in the river kilometrage –
Reconstruction of the hydrotechnical development of the Odra River in the Section I, located in the vicinity of Słubice, remains in spatial relations with three forms of the nature conservation:
Łęgi Nature Reserve near Słubice .
The area of importance for the Community (SCI) of Łęgi Słubickie PLH
Special Bird Protection Area (SPA) Central Odra Valley PLB
Technical concept
study limits
bank protections
bank wall
longitudinal dam
demolition works
new groynes
modernised groynes
dredging
Warta Estuary Landscape Park
Warta Estuary LP buffer zone
Natural reserve
Nature 2000 area Warta Estuary PLC080001 2

3. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of protected areas
The investment project to be implemented will be spatially located in the Odra river bed and in the right-hand part of its valley. Due to the significant distances, the project was divided into four sections with a different correlation with the forms of regional nature protection:
Section I, in the river kilometrage –
Section II, in the river kilometrage –
Section III, in the river kilometrage –
Section IV, in the river kilometrage –
Reconstruction of the hydrotechnical development of the Odra River in the Section II, located between Górzyca and Kostrzyn, remains in spatial relations with three forms of the nature conservation:
Nature 2000 Area of Warta Estuary PLC (the area includes a bird sanctuary and a habitat within the same boundaries).
The buffer zone of the Warta Estuary National Park and the adjacent Warta Estuary Landscape Park.
Technical concept
study limits
bank protections
bank wall
longitudinal dam
demolition works
new groynes
modernised groynes
dredging
Warta Estuary Landscape Park
Warta Estuary LP buffer zone
Natural reserve
Nature 2000 area Warta Estuary PLC080001 3

4. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of protected areas
The investment project to be implemented will be spatially located in the Odra river bed and in the right-hand part of its valley. Due to the significant distances, the project was divided into four sections with a different correlation with the forms of regional nature protection:
Section I, in the river kilometrage –
Section II, in the river kilometrage –
Section III, in the river kilometrage –
Section IV, in the river kilometrage –
Reconstruction of the hydrotechnical development of the Odra River in the Sections III and IV is in identical spatial relations with three forms of nature conservation:
Cedynia Landscape Park.
Area of Community importance (SCI) Lower Odra PLH
Special Bird Protection Area (SPA) Lower Odra Valley PLB
Technical concept
study limits
bank protections
bank wall
longitudinal dam
demolition works
new groynes
modernised groynes
dredging
Warta Estuary Landscape Park
Warta Estuary LP buffer zone
Natural reserve
Nature 2000 area Warta Estuary PLC080001 4

5. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of ecological corridors
Section 1 km Słubice area. It is a section going through the urbanised areas of Słubice (on the Polish side) and Frankfurt (on the German side).
This part of the Odra valley is located in the corridor of "Central Odra Valley" GKZ-19.
These corridors have a fairly high forest cover of more than 50 %. Tracks of a wolf presence in the area of the railway bridge above Słubice were identified among the indicator species for the determination of ecological corridors in the analysed section of the Odra River.
In the analysed area there are two more species of mammals, the dispersion of which takes place along the river bed - the European otter and the European beaver, and each of these species uses the environment on the border of water and land differently. The beaver actively shapes habitat conditions by creating dams and lodges, while the otter looks for shelters using natural conditions, i.e. the banks covered with trees. Both species can be found in the Odra River in all the examined sections, with the beaver mainly in the area behind the land side of the flood embankments, around old riverbeds and other water reservoirs. 5

6. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of ecological corridors
Section 2 km – area of Górzyca – Kostrzyn upon Odra. The section from km to km 607 near Górzyca is located in the corridor of the "Central Odra Valley" GKZ-19, whereas the section from km 607 to km 618 in the corridor of the "Warta Estuary Marshes" GKPn-22.
These corridors have a fairly high forest cover of more than 50 %. Tracks of a wolf presence in the area of the railway bridge above Słubice were identified among the indicator species for the determination of ecological corridors in the analysed section of the Odra River.
In the analysed area there are two more species of mammals, the dispersion of which takes place along the river bed - the European otter and the European beaver, and each of these species uses the environment on the border of water and land differently. The beaver actively shapes habitat conditions by creating dams and lodges, while the otter looks for shelters using natural conditions, i.e. the banks covered with trees. Both species can be found in the Odra River in all the examined sections, with the beaver mainly in the area behind the land side of the flood embankments, around old riverbeds and other water reservoirs. 6

7. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of ecological corridors
Section 4 km – area of Gozdowice – Siekierki;
Section 5 km – area of Stara Rudnica – Osinów Dolny;
Section 7 km area Cedynia - Piasek
are located within the corridor of the "Nadodrzańskie Forest" GKPn-28A.
These corridors have a fairly high forest cover of more than 50 %. Tracks of a wolf presence in the area of the railway bridge above Słubice were identified among the indicator species for the determination of ecological corridors in the analysed section of the Odra River.
In the analysed area there are two more species of mammals, the dispersion of which takes place along the river bed - the European otter and the European beaver, and each of these species uses the environment on the border of water and land differently. The beaver actively shapes habitat conditions by creating dams and lodges, while the otter looks for shelters using natural conditions, i.e. the banks covered with trees. Both species can be found in the Odra River in all the examined sections, with the beaver mainly in the area behind the land side of the flood embankments, around old riverbeds and other water reservoirs. 7

8. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of ecological corridors - impact
Impact on ecological corridors - implementation phase
The implementation of the planned activities may hinder the penetration of the banks of the Odra by animals river during the construction works. Noise and the presence of people and construction machinery will have a deterrent effect. However, this will be a short-term impact, and after completion of works in a given section, it is expected that the areas will be recolonised.
Within the "Central Odra Valley" corridor, tracks of the presence of one of the indicator species for the determination of ecological corridors were identified in the analysed section of the Odra River. The wolf's droppings were found in the area of the railway bridge above Słubice, i.e. in the place where the corridor of the "Central Odra Valley" adjoins the "Lubuska Forest", which is a vast corridor with very high forest cover. Execution of construction works only during the daytime, in the initial section of 1.5 km below the railway bridge, should minimise the negative impact on the functionality of the corridor in this place, especially in the context of the appearance of wolves in this area.
In the case of the "Warta Estuary Marshes" corridor, the investment will be implemented in the extreme western part of the corridor, which stretches parallel to the Warta river valley, covering vast areas of floodplain meadows - poorly accessible to people and thus attractive for animals.
The "Nadodrzańskie Forest" corridor, apart from the Odra riverbed, along which flood protection structures are planned to be modernised, and the areas between the embankments covers vast areas of the Odra forests belonging to the Cedynia Landscape Park and vast areas of meadows within the polder to the west of Cedynia.
The implementation of the planned activities will not require cutting down trees on vast areas, so it will not affect the decrease in the forest cover within the corridors.
Although the construction stage will be a source of nuisance such as noise and will be associated with the presence of workers and construction machinery in the area, which under normal conditions is poorly penetrated by people, it can be expected that these disturbances will concern mainly the bank zone and will not disturb the functioning of the entire width of the corridors.
These corridors have a fairly high forest cover of more than 50 %. Tracks of a wolf presence in the area of the railway bridge above Słubice were identified among the indicator species for the determination of ecological corridors in the analysed section of the Odra River.
In the analysed area there are two more species of mammals, the dispersion of which takes place along the river bed - the European otter and the European beaver, and each of these species uses the environment on the border of water and land differently. The beaver actively shapes habitat conditions by creating dams and lodges, while the otter looks for shelters using natural conditions, i.e. the banks covered with trees. Both species can be found in the Odra River in all the examined sections, with the beaver mainly in the area behind the land side of the flood embankments, around old riverbeds and other water reservoirs. 8

9. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Location of the Project against the background of ecological corridors - impact
Impact on ecological corridors - operation phase
The planned activities do not belong to investments constituting classic barriers to the proper functioning of ecological corridors, such as roads (especially motorways and expressways) and railway lines.
Modernisation of the existing groynes, construction of a dozen or so of new groynes and bank walls and longitudinal dams will not cause any significant changes in the development of areas forming the ecological corridors. The planned structures will not constitute serious barriers cutting through the ecological corridors and disturbing their continuity. The modernised structures will not constitute a direct source of noise or light emission, which could impair the corridor's functionality. The investment as a whole will indirectly contribute to the improvement of navigation conditions on the Odra River and to an increase in the intensity of navigation, which may be a source of noise. However, this will not have a significant impact, especially bearing in mind that the Odra River is already navigable and the fact that the traffic of barges mainly takes place during the day and it is minimal at night, when most animals are active.
For species such as the European otter and the European beaver, no significant impact on the functionality of the corridor along the Odra river bed is expected.
As far as beavers are concerned, they mainly use habitats behind the flood embankments, as the variability of the water stages in the Odra River and the fast current make the banks of the Odra River unattractive for this species. It was observed mainly around the water reservoirs behind the flood embankments. Moreover, this species in Poland is in expansion, actively occupying habitats even near human settlements, if not disturbed.
The situation of the otter as a species is good in Poland, which is indicated by its significant abundance in the network of the main rivers and their basins and the presence coverage of almost the whole Poland. The species has the ability to adapt and occupy suboptimal habitats (polluted watercourses, drainage systems away from rivers and streams, etc.), which creates a chance for otters to return to places partially changed within a few years after completion of construction works.
At the stage of operation of the undertaking, it will not pose a threat to the functionality of the ecological corridors along the Odra River.
These corridors have a fairly high forest cover of more than 50 %. Tracks of a wolf presence in the area of the railway bridge above Słubice were identified among the indicator species for the determination of ecological corridors in the analysed section of the Odra River.
In the analysed area there are two more species of mammals, the dispersion of which takes place along the river bed - the European otter and the European beaver, and each of these species uses the environment on the border of water and land differently. The beaver actively shapes habitat conditions by creating dams and lodges, while the otter looks for shelters using natural conditions, i.e. the banks covered with trees. Both species can be found in the Odra River in all the examined sections, with the beaver mainly in the area behind the land side of the flood embankments, around old riverbeds and other water reservoirs. 9

10. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Alternative solutions - the most beneficial option for the environment
Groyne / longitudinal dam
Alternative solutions have been analysed in the scope of:
determination of parameters for reconstruction and modernisation of regulation structures
comparison of methods of ice-breaking actions
alternative construction of regulation structures
alternative technology for execution of construction works
Variants in the scope of technology of works execution
Works from water
Works from water
Works from land
The variant has been rejected due to greater potential impact on the environment, including fauna and flora species and natural habitats. Th project implementation would result in the necessity of location of the whole material, equipment, amenities facilities at the bank and movement along the river, etc.
Structural variants
Structure:
rubble mound
Structure:
piles
The technological conditions of the works planned for execution practically exclude the possibility of presenting a rational alternative variant, for which it can be demonstrated that it is not significantly more negative in terms of the environment.
Implementation variant
Alternative variant 10

11. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Transboundary impact
There are three Nature 2000 areas on the German side in the immediate vicinity of the investment area:
Mittlere Oderniederung DE
Unteres Odertal DE
Unteres Odertal DE
The indication of two areas called Unteres Odertal is due to the fact that one of them is established for the protection of habitats (DE ) and the other for birds (DE ).
At the distance of about 160 km, between the estuary of the Nysa Łużycka River (km 542.4) at Ratzdorf and the branch with the Western Odra at Widuchowa (km 704.1), the Odra River forms the border between the Republic of Poland and the Federal Republic of Germany. The investment tasks planned within the framework of the project in question will be carried out in designated sections located from km 581 to km 683, in the immediate vicinity of the state border.
The areas potentially exposed to the emission of noise and air pollution on the German side are the city of Frankfurt (Odra) and the villages of: Hohensaaten, Hohenwutzen, Rudnitzer Ausbau, Güstebieser Loose, Bleyen and Küstrin Kietz.
Key:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Accompanying dredging
Nature 2000 Special protection area for birds
Key:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Accompanying dredging
Nature 2000 Special protection area for habitats 11

12. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Transboundary impact
There are three Nature 2000 areas on the German side in the immediate vicinity of the investment area:
Mittlere Oderniederung DE
Unteres Odertal DE
Unteres Odertal DE
The indication of two areas called Unteres Odertal is due to the fact that one of them is established for the protection of habitats (DE ) and the other for birds (DE ).
Key:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Accompanying dredging
Nature 2000 Special protection area for birds
Key:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Accompanying dredging
Nature 2000 Special protection area for habitats 12

13. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Transboundary impact
Location of the Lower Odra National Park (Nationalpark Unteres Odertal) against the background of the Nature 2000 areas of Unteres Odertal
The National Park forms a uniform natural area with the Polish side of the Lower Odra Valley. It borders with the Lower Odra Valley Landscape Park and the Cedynia Landscape Park. The Polish and German administrations of the protected areas maintain close cooperation, e.g. in the cross- border development of the Odra valley. 13

14. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Transboundary impact
ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL TRANSBOUNDARY IMPACT OF THE PROJECT ON ELEMENTS OF THE SURFACE WATER QUALITY
The assessment of the impact of the Project on the elements of the water quality included:
identification of negative impact factors on water quality elements: biological, hydromorphological and physicochemical,
assessment of the significance and likelihood of negative impacts, their extent, duration, impact duration, intensity.
minimising negative impacts to an acceptable level
The main factors of the investment impact on the water quality elements, which may have a transboundary significance, include:
Impacts occurring during the construction period (implementation stage), i.e. increase in the concentration of wash-load (suspended matter) in waters in places and surroundings of reconstructed groynes and associated dredging resulting in deterioration of water fauna conditions occurrence (primarily for ichthyofauna and macro-invertebrates),
Impacts occurring during the construction period and continuing during the operational stage:
current concentration in the central part of the river bed,
change of the water flow conditions in the river bed and in the zone of reconstructed groynes (change of directions and velocities of water flow in inter-groyne fields)
Impacts occurring after completion of construction works (operation stage):
Sectional change in the course of riverbed processes (erosion and accumulation),
Change in sedimentary conditions of sediments both in the riverbed as well as overbank sediment fraction. 14

15. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Transboundary impact - conclusions
impacts will have a short-term and local impact on the water quality directly at the right bank of the Odra River. It should be noted that in the case of parallel works on both banks of the Odra River, these impacts could accumulate. However, if the planned works are carried out on both sides of the river at different dates, the impact on the loss of shallow or aquatic vegetation habitats would be minimised, as fauna species occurring within the inter-groyne fields will find a refuge on the other side of the river for the duration of the construction
the impact on the morphological conditions of the Odra river bed in transboundary terms will be visible after completion of all the modernisation works carried out by both the German and Polish sides, which will be visible through the concentration of flow, narrowing of the river bed, relocation of the erosion from the banks to the centre of the river bed, intensified bottom erosion process in the area of the heads and in the river current, increased depth in the central part of the bed.
execution of modernisation works on the right bank of the Odra River will not involve any direct impact (mechanical destruction) on macro invertebrates living along the left bank of the river. Possible, although relatively small, as well as short-term (limited to the time of execution of investment works) may be visible through the deterioration of the living conditions of macro invertebrates due to the inflow of significant amounts of wash-load (suspended matter) to water. However, in connection with this Task, given the scope of works planned on the Polish side, it should not be expected that there will be a significant increase in the amount of wash-load (suspended matter) on the German side, which will lead to filling the bottom on the German side by the sedimentary suspension, and thus to the increase in the mortality of molluscs.
Similarly to the above, the inflow of suspended matter at the stage of works will have an impact on the living conditions of ichthyofauna by changing the physicochemistry of waters and flow at the stage of the project implementation. However, in order to significantly reduce the above mentioned impact, the works will not be carried out during fish spawning period, when ichthyofauna's susceptibility to suspended matter is the highest. It is also assumed that the works may be temporarily suspended if a significant increase in the suspended matter concentration is observed in the Odra River.
Impacts on physicochemical elements will occur primarily at the construction stage and will be temporary in nature. They will be associated with deterioration of physical conditions as the result of delivery of small fractions as the result of re-deposition of bottom sediments and reinsertion of small fractions (suspensions) into transport during earthworks and formation of eluates from sediments excavated from the bottom during possible dredging and transport by barges.
During the execution of the project, the main sources of pollutant emissions will be the construction works carried out within the riverbed. Emissions of pollutants into the air, both gaseous and dusty, will be related to the combustion of fuels in the engines of vehicles, equipment and vessels used for modernisation works. However, it should be noted that the probability of a transboundary impact in this respect is low. These will not be levels of pollution that may significantly deteriorate the condition of the air outside the country. Moreover, these works will be of relatively short duration and will cease after the completion of the task. 15

16. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Transboundary impact - conclusions
the planned project, the reconstructed regulation of the structural development of the Odra River will not in itself be a source of noise emission. On the other hand, reaching the depth target for icebreakers, as the result of the operation of the reconstructed regulation structures will improve navigation conditions on the Odra River and potentially contribute to the increase in the traffic of barges. The analysis of the acoustic impact on the surrounding environment, with particular emphasis on the possibility of forming a threat to the acoustic climate, was carried out in relation to the surrounding areas requiring legal protection, i.e. in the area of buildings requiring acoustic protection, up to 50 m from the Odra river bank, i.e. in the area of the villages of: Zatoń Dolna - Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, Gryfino County, Chojna Commune, Bielinek - Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship, Gryfino County, Cedynia Commune and Słubice City - Lubuskie Voivodeship, Słubicki County. On the basis of the acoustic analyses carried out, it was not found necessary to protect the areas adjacent to the project on the Polish side. Analysing the results of the impact of the project - receptors in the acoustically protected areas, it can be stated that the most unfavourable impact on the acoustic climate has the movement of motorboats at night, and the possible accumulation of noise will not lead to conflict situations in the analysed locations. It should be borne in mind, however, that with the accumulation of impacts, the maximum traffic load was assumed, which most likely will not take place in reality. In view of the above, it was concluded, on the basis of the acoustic forecast and its results that the impact of the investment in this respect, also on a cumulative basis, will not be of a transboundary nature.
During the works on reinforcing the banks, reconstruction of groynes and the resulting noise and the presence of people and moving equipment, there will be scarring off the avifauna taking place, which may also have a transboundary nature due to the proximity of the neighbouring country. Due to the large number of habitats of high natural value, in the vicinity of the area covered by the bird inventory, the birds will move to the neighbouring areas for the duration of the investment works and will return after the completion of the implementation stage. Nevertheless, in the period of the investment execution, permanent environmental supervision will be carried out, the task of which will be to minimise the risk related to the negative impact of the investment, e.g. to ensure that the planned works are carried out in a timely manner.
Considering the above, after the analyses of potential impacts related to the project in question and possible impacts that may have a transboundary range, it was concluded that no impact on natural habitats protected within the Nature 2000 area of Unteres Odertal DE is expected at the stage of implementation, and the expected impact on bird species protected within the area of Unteres Odertal DE will be limited to the possible scaring off during the execution of works. 16

17. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Environmental impact of the project, implementation phase
Impact on people
During the implementation of the project, the generated emissions of pollutants into the air and noise emissions will be of a local nature, limited to the area of executed works. In view of the local and short-term nature of the emission, the impact of the project at the stage of its implementation will not have a permanent impact on the acoustic climate in the area where particular investment tasks are located. Nuisances at the stage of implementation will be temporary in nature and concern acoustically protected areas to a small extent. No night work is planned in the vicinity of acoustically protected areas.
Impact on plants, animals, fungi and natural habitats
The related impacts are the redistribution of bottom sediments as the result of construction works carried out in the river bed and the elimination of bed forms (microsites) present in the locations of the designed groynes. This also applies to microhabitat areas that have been formed at or in the immediate vicinity of the current groynes as the result of partial destruction of these groynes or as the result of accumulation of river sediments in the inter-groyne fields. Reconstruction of the groynes will also destroy the biocenoses that formed on these regulation structures and the biocenoses on the slopes and in the bank zone immediately adjacent to the groynes. However, the list of impacts is much longer and applies not only to the water itself but also to the land zone. Works carried out in the bed and land in the zone will result in an effective loss of habitats and a deterrent effect on the fauna. Direct mortality of animals, especially those with limited mobility, is also possible. Fauna species can also be exposed to noise. Birds or amphibians can be frightened, which can result in loss of breeding.
Impacts on plants, animals, fungi and natural habitats - vascular plants
The implementation of the planned investment may, at the stage of execution of the investment works, affect the identified plant species covered by legal species protection, e.g. through:
irreversible destruction of the plant cover and the risk of destroying the sites of valuable species of flora resulting from the occupation of the area and in the neighbouring areas, whether directly related to the need to carry out the works or to the areas for material storage;
destruction of natural and semi-natural vegetation, including sites of flora species of special interest in the technological zone;
reversible, temporary destruction of vegetation at the stage of reconstruction of hydrotechnical structures;
temporary destruction of herbaceous vegetation and exposure to damage and destruction of trees and shrubs in the construction area, technological roads and in their vicinity;
loss of vegetation as the result of the activation of the water surface and wind erosion, terrain surface not stabilised with vegetation and an increase in the amount of suspensions supplied to the surface waters, which may adversely affect the flora of aquatic ecosystems;
change in the vegetation structure in the vicinity of the investment project, resulting from disturbances in water conditions and changes in physical properties of hydrogenic soils;
fragmentation of habitats; 17

18. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Environmental impact of the project, implementation phase
Pos.
Name
Protection status
Population resources (persons or area)
Number of stations
Location
River km
Investment impact 1.
Water Chestnut (Trapa natans)
Strict protection
No data 1
Bay between groynes south of Słubice
581.1
Interference with the investment – purposeful relocation or damage on the basis of the obtained decision for departure from prohibition in relation to the species subject to protection 2.
Floating fern (Salvinia natans)
Partial protection
Odra waters near banks over the whole section under inventory 3.
Mouse Garlic
(Alium angulosum)
1. Station near Kostrzyn
2. Small population near Osinów Dolny
608.6 – 609.4
615.8 – 615.9
616.9 – 617.3
No interference with the investment – mitigation measures outside the scope of investment works execution:
1. Aluvial meadows (Cnidion dubii) area – prohibition on interference with the above mentioned area, including ban on material storage sites
2. Near Osinów - – prohibition on interference with the above mentioned area, including ban on material storage sites 18

19. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Environmental impact of the project, operation phase
Impact on people
After the completion of the project, the increase in the level of safety of people living along the bank of the Odra River will be the long-term indirect impact. The regulation development on the border Odra River obtained as the result of the project will allow for effective ice breaking and ice removal actions, which will allow to minimise the risk of flooding as the result of floods caused by ice jamming. The operation of the project will therefore contribute to the prevention of the occurrence of a natural disaster, which may pose risk not only to the people's health but also their lives.
Impact on plants, animals, fungi and natural habitats
Entomofauna
The functioning of the project will not have a negative impact on the habitats of terrestrial invertebrates. A slight increase in the water level in the Odra River (at medium stages by several cm) as the result of the functioning of the reconstructed regulation structures may cause an increase in the groundwater level only in a short distance from the banks. Therefore, no fundamental change in the water relations is expected, which could affect the reconstruction of plant communities currently hosting entomofauna habitats.
Herpetofauna
In the case of reptiles, the construction and reconstruction of groynes on the river will not have a negative impact, whereas in the case of amphibians, in the long term, it may contribute to the creation of places favourable to the reproduction of common frogs. In the long term, the negative effects of the works carried out will not accumulate but should be mitigated. There will be a slow recovery of habitats along the Odra River through spontaneous emergence of aquatic vegetation. Due to the fact that the water relations and wetland habitats will not be significantly disturbed, long-term impacts will be negligible for herpetofauna.
Ornitofauna
On the basis of hydrodynamic calculations and processes of river sediment transport (with the use of MBH Software 2015) carried out for the purposes of the "Update of the concept of regulation of the border Odra river", it is expected that the reconstruction of the Odra regulation development in the examined section will not cause any significant changes in the location of the water table in the riverbed, the size and dynamics of the flow and transport of the river sediment (load). Therefore, the conditions will be sustained, thanks to which valuable natural habitats are maintained in the Odra valley, ensuring the living environment for numerous species of birds of water and meadows. 19

20. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Environmental impact of the project, operation phase
Impact on plants, animals, fungi and natural habitats
Teriofauna
At the stage of the project operation, negative impacts on terrestrial mammals will be less intense and will gradually decrease as the result of spontaneous, slow re-naturalisation of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The investment after the "ecosystem stabilisation" will not cause an increase in mortality of mammals as the majority of the activities are connected with the reconstruction of the existing infrastructure, around which favourable animal habitats are preserved. The implementation of the task will not create significant barriers to the free migration of large mammals through regional corridors and for small and medium ones through local corridors, and also will not create obstacles to the free migration of terrestrial and aquatic mammals.
Chiropterofauna
At the stage of operation of the project no significant risks to bats inhabiting the Odra valley are expected.
The existing potential breeding and feeding habitats and wintering sites will be maintained. No major changes are expected in the use of the Odra valley areas, in particular the cutting down of floodplain stands, which provide daily hiding places during bat activity.
The presence of renovated reconstructed infrastructure along the river banks will not hinder the movement of these animals along the valley in search for food - no new significant barriers will be created.
Ichthyofauna
The analysis of the presented scope of works indicates the possibility of occurrence, at the stage of operation, of unfavourable factors for ichthyofauna, requiring the application of mitigation measures.
These factors may include:
deterioration of the natural quality of the river habitat and the habitat of fish species (hydromorphological criteria, loss of structural elements important for biodiversity of the habitat, withdrawal of spontaneous re-naturalisation processes) - reversible impact within the period of up to 10 years;
adverse effects of removal of trees and shrubs as well as wood debris - loss of fish hiding places, decrease in shading of the water surface - long-term impact, reversible within the period of up to 10 years;
periodic silting or other disturbance of habitats as the result of maintenance works on the fairway - short-term, reversible impact;
destruction of fish species associated with the riverbed as the result of maintenance works on the fairway - short-term, reversible impact; 20

21. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Environmental impact of the project, operation phase
Impact on surface waters
The planned Task will have the following impact on the environmental objectives set for the uniform surface water bodies JCWP [USWB]:
JCWP Odra from the Nysa Łużycka River to the Warta River; JCWP [USWB] code: PLRW , the scope of works covers approx. 29% of the total length of the USWB; as the result of the implementation of the Task, the deterioration of hydromorphological conditions on a part of a significant watercourse within the USWB will occur. The impact on environmental objectives was assessed as negative and moderately significant. Mitigation measures and pro-environmental solutions limiting the impact on biological and hydromorphological elements of the JCWP [USWB] will be applied.
JCWP Odra from the Warta River to the Western Odra River; JCWP [USWB] code: PLRW , the scope of works covers about 37% of the total length of the USWB; as the result of the implementation of the Task, the deterioration of hydromorphological conditions on a part of a significant watercourse within the USWB will occur. The impact on environmental objectives was assessed as negative and moderately significant. Mitigation measures and pro-environmental solutions limiting the impact on biological and hydromorphological elements of the JCWP [USWB] will be applied.
Impact on underground water
The operation of the reconstructed regulation structures will not result in the inflow of pollutants to the groundwater, which will not deteriorate the chemical condition of a part of the groundwater. The planned investment will also not have a negative impact on the environmental objectives concerning the quantitative status of the groundwater.
Impact on the air
After the completion of the project, the operation of the regulation structures on the border Odra River will not result in the emission of pollutants into the air.
Impact on landscape
At the operation stage, no use of the land surface is planned. After the completion of the project, the impact on the land surface and landscape will last for many years. The river will need time to stabilise the morphological balance at a new level. Land formation between the groynes and creation of new sandbanks may occur. Reduced flooding of the valley bottom during freshets will result in less sedimentation and slower changes in the morphology of the valley bottom. There will be a change in the spatial order and a change in the landscape physiognomy.
In general, the landscape of the Odra valley is characterised by a regulated bed, so changes in the land surface will not change the overall physiognomy of this area. Regulations on the Odra River have been present since the 18th century.
Impact on monuments
During the operation phase, by enabling effective ice breaking, flood prevention safety will be improved. This will reduce the risk of damage to monuments located both along the border Odra River and in the area situated below. No loss of landscape values of the Odra valley as the result of the reconstruction of the groynes is expected. The landscape is of cultural nature and the hydrotechnical equipment has been a part of the landscape since the 19th century. 21

22. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Environmental impact of the project, operation phase
Emissions of pollutants into the air
The planned project, i.e. the reconstructed regulation structures of the Odra River, will not in itself be a source of noise emission. On the other hand, reaching the depth target for icebreakers, as the result of the operation of the reconstructed regulation structures will improve navigation conditions on the Odra River and potentially contribute to the increase in the traffic of barges.
The Report analyses the environmental impact of the waterway operation and presents the results of modelling concentrations of pollutants in the air at the investment operation stage. It was not found necessary to implement measures to mitigate the impact on the quality of the atmospheric air.
Noise emission
In the Report, the prognostic acoustic impact generated by the cargo transport on the Odra River in the area of the project in question was carried out. On the basis of the acoustic analyses carried out, it was not found necessary to protect the areas adjacent to the project. In connection with the research carried out there are no acoustic contraindications to the implementation of the project, which contributes to the improvement of navigable conditions on the border Odra. On the basis of the results of the cumulative impact, it can be concluded that the most unfavourable impact on the acoustic climate is caused by the night-time traffic of motorboats, and the possible accumulation of noise will not lead to the occurrence of conflict situations. 22

23. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Avifauna:
Cleaning of the groynes, bank wall and the areas of the planned bank protection from lichen within the radius of approximately 30 m will be carried out outside the breeding period of most birds, lasting from 1st of March to 31st of August and will be preceded by an ornithological inspection and carried out under the supervision of an ornithologist. In case of a negative opinion of the ornithologist, the cuttings will be stopped until the breeding season is over.
The cutting down of trees and shrubs (cutting down only selected trees and shrubs) will be carried out before the beginning of the bird breeding season, which lasts from 1st of March to 15th of October. In case the cutting down is necessary and technologically justifiable during the breeding season, it will be preceded by an ornithological inspection and carried out under the supervision of an ornithologist. In the case of a negative opinion of the ornithologist, the cutting down will be left to be carried out outside the breeding season or appropriate departures from the prohibitions listed in Article 52 of the Act on Nature Conservation will be obtained. The superior aim of these activities will be to leave as natural bank vegetation as possible in the regulated section.
It is permitted to possibly use the road along the embankment between the section 2, and the marina near Lubusz (approx. km 598.5) but excluding the use in the period from March to August, due to the proximity of the black kite nest.
Due to the nature of the planned works, which will interfere with the river banks, the habitat of European sand martins (5 pairs) in the section 4 in km and of the kingfisher (1 pair) in the section 4 in km 648.3, the nests of which can be damaged during the reinforcing of the banks may be endangered. Therefore, the work organisation and technology should be agreed and will be carried out under the supervision of an ornithologist, outside the breeding season, in order to reduce the risk of damage to the bank slopes. If a part of the habitat needs to be disturbed, the works will be carried out after obtaining the appropriate permits.
Due to the eagle owl site on the bridge span in the section 4, in order to prevent the loss of breeding, it is recommended to carry out all activities on the quay within the radius of 500 m from the nest from November to December. However, the existence of the eagle owl in the above mentioned place should be verified again before commencing the works, and if its occurrence is confirmed, a permit for the scaring off should be obtained and the investment should be carried out in accordance with the conditions specified in the obtained decision.
The works in the vicinity of the bridge in km will be carried out outside the nesting period of the common kestrel, i.e. from July to the end of March, due to the nest in the structure of the bridge.
Wetlands will not be designated for the storage of materials planned for the construction phase, and the selection of location for the above mentioned sites will be carried out in consultation with the environmental supervision and after its approval. 23

24. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Ichthyofauna:
No dredging spoil from possible dredging as well as materials for the construction of groynes will be stored in the inter-groyne fields. The inter-groyne fields should be kept as intact as much as possible during the execution of works. In the case of modernised groynes, it is foreseen to dismantle the cobblestone pavement to the water level of SNW [mean low water], which reduces direct interference with in the area of invertebrate fauna. There are no valuable and protected species of fauna and flora in the areas where earthworks are planned to be carried out, i.e. within the head of the groyne to fix the groyne in the bottom, due to increase in the current velocity and depth.
The works in the individual sections will be carried out as efficiently as possible so as not to lead to the retention of sediments raised during the works for a long period of time, up to a week.
In order to limit the impact of the increased suspended solids and stress factors on fish, the construction works will be carried out outside the spawning season, which for most species occurring in the Odra River falls in the spring, from March to June.
The works will also be stopped in the late autumn and winter (November to March) in the part of the groynes where a deep stream pool has formed, where fish and bivalve molluscs can winter.
In the designed dams, parallel to the bank, outflows (depressions) will be made so that water can be exchanged between the reservoir cut-off by the dam and the main bed. It is optimal to make depressions at the level of the lowest recorded water. Such a solution will improve the oxygen conditions in the reservoir, will allow migration of fauna (invertebrates and fish), and will reduce the tendency to silting and land formation in the reservoir. If there is no water exchange or if the exchange is too small, many taxa will die.
Possible dredging works will be carried out in the early autumn - in September, and only the material deposited by the river will be dredged, i.e. to the level from before to the deposition.
Where possible, oversized boulders and coarse wood debris will be considered to be left in the riverbed, in consultation with environmental supervision, to preserve fish habitats and hideouts, macrozoobenthos, submerged macrophytes, phytobenthos, in order to increase the habitat capacity of the river ecosystem. 24

25. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Flora and natural habitats:
High vegetation (trees and shrubs), which are not removed and may be at risk of damage, will be protected against direct damage, e.g. by a protective barrier made of wooden boards.
The works in the riverbed and on the banks should be carried out outside the summer period, which is crucial for the formation of the habitat, which will be subject to verification by environmental supervision due to the variability depending on the weather conditions in a given year.
In order to protect the habitat the construction facilities shall not be located within damp depressions, in which indicator communities for the habitat 3270, i.e. flooded muddy river banks, could develop during the summer period.
Do not interfere with river outwash in the inter-groyne spaces, except in places directly in conflict with the designed objects, when carrying out reconstruction works on the existing groynes. In particular, do not dredge shoals and sandbanks.
As far as possible (in case of registering again the presence of the species in the sections of the planned or executed works), secure diasporas of the rarest species characteristic for the habitat, the only one of the species registered in the patches, which is included in the list of endangered species and in the Red Book of plants in Poland - the strapwort Corrigiola litoralis. The populations of the species shall be maintained in conservative cultivation during the works and used to supply or restore its sites after the completion of works in the river bed.
While reinforcing the foundations of slopes and groynes, avoid turfing and sowing on large areas, preferring openwork solutions (rubble mounds, gabions, fence reinforcement, fascine-stone and mesh-stone rolls), easily silting up and overgrowing with vegetation. Avoid reinforcing the banks with expansive reed vegetation.
In order to compensate for negative impacts, it is recommended to control invasive plants growing on the river banks (especially wild cucumbers Echinocystis lobata and cocklebur Xanthium albinum).
Do not locate material storage sites within natural habitats. 25

26. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Teriofauna:
The works in the vicinity of the afforested areas will be kept to a minimum due to their protective value for mammals.
Before entering the area with the investment works, the environmental supervision shall check the location of the identified presence of the Eurasian harvest mouse (approx. km and ).
The investment works will be carried out during the day when the animals remain in shelters, which will minimise the impact on the beaver living along the banks of the river (especially in km 581.9; ; 602.5; ; 609.0; 648.8; 649.3; ; ; 658.2; 663.4; ; ) in terms of protection against noise and possible lighting, as well as enabling beaver families in the area to feed.
The investment works will be carried out during the day, when the animals remain in shelters, which will minimise the impact on the stoats living along the banks of the river (especially in km 582.5; ; ; ; 651.5; ) in terms of protection against noise and possible lighting, as well as enabling a predator who leads a night life style to feed.
In the sections of the otter occurrence (in particular km ; ; ; ; ; 661; 671; ), an environmental inspection will be carried out before entering the area with investment works, in case they start in these places in the May-August period, i.e. during the otter reproduction period. If tracks are found, the works will be carried out outside the reproductive period or under the environmental supervision.
In the sections of the confirmed mammal existence, i.e. the otter and the beaver (in accordance with the graphical attachment), the works will be carried out outside the period of reproduction of the above mentioned species, and each time prior to the commencement of works, the environmental supervision team will check for otter or beaver occurrence, e.g. the section near Gozdowice, i.e. from Gozdowice to Siekierki (with the exception of places directly near Gozdowice) should also be excluded from storage sites due to the occurrence of mammals, and works should be carried out outside the mammal reproduction period.
The investment works carried out in the area of km will be carried out during the daytime, which will minimise the possible scaring off the wolf observed there (approx. km ), thanks to which at night during the time of activity it will be able to freely penetrate the banks of the Odra River. 26

27. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Herpetofauna:
Any formed hollows where water may stagnate during the works will be protected in a way preventing amphibians from colonising them.
Due to the presence of amphibians, reconstruction works on individual groynes will be carried out outside the period from the beginning of March to mid-May.
The herpetological supervision should supervise the works carried out in the area of the identified amphibian sites, which do not interfere directly with the planned works, but due to the fact that it is impossible at this stage to determine the detailed scope of works (e.g. material storage sites or possible access roads) are potentially exposed. In addition, it is proposed to apply time limits in the execution of works to certain species (common toad, green toad, moor frog, European common frog, pool frog, marsh frog, smooth newt, viviparous lizard, grass snake, slow-worm). 27

28. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Chiropterofauna:
The investment will only take place during the day, which will eliminate the potential impact on bats during the construction phase.
The works will be carried out during the period of reduced bat activity and wintering, i.e. including September-March period, which will allow to minimise possible disturbances in the bat population in the area of the planned investment, especially in the areas of their particular concentration.
Each time, prior to the cutting down the trees within bats' habitats or the construction works are interfered with, they will be checked for use by bats, and cutting will be carried out outside the period of the bat reproduction, which lasts from the beginning of May to mid-August. Applicable to the sections in km ; ; ; ; 650.5; ; ;
If the duration of the works interferes with the bat reproduction period, which lasts from the beginning of May to mid-August, it is necessary to ensure that noise emissions are reduced by carrying out the works during the daytime, i.e. completion of the works before sunset in the area of the identified bat habitats. This will also ensure protection against light pollution.
In the case of using the construction site lighting, the area to be illuminated will be limited as much as possible as light will cause bats to be scared off from feeding grounds and hiding places, and in places where bats' habitats are found, in case of interference with the bat reproduction period, the works shall be completed before sunset, which will also ensure protection against light pollution. 28

29. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Ground and water environment:
Works related to the demolition of existing structures will be organised in such a way as to prevent, as far as possible, the removed construction materials and other contaminants from falling into the river.
Mechanical equipment used for construction works will be in good technical condition, and the units used for the investment will be equipped with protection against leakage of petroleum derivative substances and sorbents of petroleum derivative substances, etc.
The works will be carried out in such a way as to prevent oil-derivative substances from entering surface waters from machinery and equipment.
While the works are not carried out, the machinery will be kept away from the watercourses and reservoirs to avoid the possible spread of surface water pollution.
The slope surfaces modelled during the construction works will be fixed (the works on the bank wall will be connected with the shaping of the slope with a scraper excavator, working with the simultaneous filling of cracks and sinkholes with washed sand transported by barges), and the surfaces of the material storage areas will be sealed.
In connection with the execution of the investment, earth masses shall not be moved in the river bed by pushing the material.
The investment will be carried out with the use of mainly such raw materials and construction materials (such as gravel, sand, stone, fascine), which will not cause any deterioration of the condition of the environment in relation to the existing condition.
The construction materials to be used must have certificates and technical approvals allowing them to be used in hydro-engineering.
The waste generated during the investment will be stored in places designated for this purpose on floating vessels, and then transferred for disposal and possible recovery to specialised, authorised companies.
Fuel deliveries for the construction site will be made by bunker barges, filled up in places designated for this purpose, with appropriately equipped quays, and after reaching the construction site by the bunker barge, the fuel will be pumped to pushers and to mobile temporary fuel stations located on pontoons, where excavators are located.
The mobile fuel station will be installed in a tightly sealed tank to avoid fuel spillage on the pontoon deck, and materials and equipment for spillage disposal, such as flexible dams, pneumatic or sorption dams and sorbents (mats, rollers, cushions, sleeves) will be prepared on floating vessels. 29

30. Modernisation works on the border Odra River
Solutions for environment protection
Noise and air:
Construction works will be carried out during daytime to reduce their nuisance.
Minimisation of the noise emissions will be ensured by using fully operational equipment that meets the relevant requirements of the Polish regulations regarding the permissible noise emission level. Limiting the working time of the equipment to the minimum necessary will further reduce the nuisance of the work carried out for the local environment.
Minimisation of exhaust gases emissions will be ensured by using fully operational equipment and limiting the working time to the minimum necessary. 30

31. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION