Technical Assistance for the detailed impact assessment of the works [PDF]

ISPA Programme 2005/RO/16/P/PT/003/05 for Romania

Technical Assistance for the detailed impact assessment of the works to the NATURA 2000 sites and the elaboration of the Monitoring Programme of the environmental impact of the works for Romania

This project is financing by European Union

Project Implemented by SC ROLIX IMPEX SRL

The contents of this material is only Rolix Impex responsibility and do not in any way the official position of the European Union

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CONSIDERATIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF THE WORKS ON NATURA 2000 SITES __________5 METHODOLOGY ____________________________________________________________________5 I.Impact by critical points of work _______________________________________________________7 I.1. Critical point 01, Caragheorghe Bala Branch Area (see Annex B1) _____________________________7 I.1.1. Specific effects of the construction works on the land eco-systems._____________________________________ 8 I.1.1.1. Land clearing from land and tree clearing _____________________________________________________ 8 I.1.1.2. Site clearing ____________________________________________________________________________ 8 I.1.1.3. Excavations on the banks and under the water level _____________________________________________ 9 I.1.1.4. Storage and transport of building materials ____________________________________________________ 9 I.1.1.5. Obtaining the organic matter: (fagot mattresses) _______________________________________________ 10 I.1.2. Specific Effects of the construction works on the water ecosystem ____________________________________ 10 I.1.2.1. Direct effects of the construction materials on the existing habitats ________________________________ 10 I.1.2.2. Effects of the bottom sill and of the guiding wall ______________________________________________ 12 Effects on Sturgeons _______________________________________________________________________ 12 Effects on other species of fish _______________________________________________________________ 14 I.1.2.3. Dredging Effects _______________________________________________________________________ 16 I.1.3. Mitigation measures ________________________________________________________________________ 16 I.1.4. Site restoration_____________________________________________________________________________ 17 1.1.4. Alternative measures________________________________________________________________________ 17

I.2. Critical Point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area ___________________________________________17 I.2.1. Specific effects of the construction works on the land ecosystems _____________________________________ I.2.1.1. Land clearing from land and tree clearing ____________________________________________________ I.2.1.2. Site clearing on the work area _____________________________________________________________ I.2.1.3. Excavations on the banks and under the water level ____________________________________________ I.2.1.4. Storage and transport of building materials ___________________________________________________ I.2.1.5. Obtaining the organic matter (fagot mattress) _________________________________________________ I.2.2. Specific Effects of the construction works on the water ecosystem ____________________________________ I.2.3. Impact mitigation measures___________________________________________________________________

18 18 19 20 20 21 21 21

I.3. Critical Point 10, Caleia Branch (Lupu Island) _____________________________________________21 I.3.1. Specific effects of the construction works on the land ecosystems _____________________________________ I.3.1.1. Land clearing from land and tree cutting _____________________________________________________ I.3.1.2. Site clearing ___________________________________________________________________________ I.3.1.3. Excavations on the banks and under the water level ____________________________________________ I.3.1.4. Storage and transport of construction materials________________________________________________ I.3.1.5. Obtaining the organic matter (fagot mattress) _________________________________________________ I.3.2. Specific effects of the construction works on the aquatic ecosystem ___________________________________ I.3.2.1. Direct effects of the construction materials ___________________________________________________ I.3.2.2. Effects of the bottom sill and of the bank protections on aquatic habitats____________________________ I.3.2.3. Dredging effects________________________________________________________________________ I.3.3. Mitigation measures ________________________________________________________________________

22 22 22 23 23 24 24 24 24 25 25

I.4. Conclusions regarding the specific effects on the Natura 2000 Sites ____________________________26 I.5. General recommendations for the mitigation of the negative effects of the works on some Habitats of Natura 2000 Sites_________________________________________________________________________26

Monitoring Programme_______________________________________________________________30 I. Generalities_______________________________________________________________________30 I.1.1.Air, noise and soil monitoring _________________________________________________________________ I.1.2.Construction site activity monitoring ____________________________________________________________ I.1.3.Monitoring the observance of the Intervention Plan in case of accidental pollution ________________________ I.1.4.Thematic monitoring ________________________________________________________________________ I.1.4.1.Hydromorphological monitoring ___________________________________________________________ I.1.4.2.Monitoring of the flora and vegetation _______________________________________________________ I.1.4.3.Monitoring of the macro invertebrates aquatic fauna ___________________________________________ I.1.4.4.Monitoring of the ichtyofauna _____________________________________________________________ I.1.4.5.Monitoring of the bird fauna_______________________________________________________________ I.1.5.Specialists required and the monitoring activities __________________________________________________ I.1.6 Establishing a baseline _______________________________________________________________________

30 31 31 31 31 38 41 42 49 52 54

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I.1.7 Integrated analysis and evaluation of monitoring results _____________________________________________ 55

II. Monitoring by working points _______________________________________________________57 II.1. Monitoring of critical point 01, Bala Branch Area and sand sill Caragheorghe__________________57 II.1.1. Before the execution of works ________________________________________________________________ II.1.1.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil ____________________________________________________ II.1.1.2. Hydromorphological monitoring __________________________________________________________ a) Flow monitoring _________________________________________________________________________ b)Flow calculation__________________________________________________________________________ c)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports___________________________________________________ d)Monitoring of morphological modifications __________________________________________________ e)Water quality ____________________________________________________________________________ II.1.1.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.1.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.1.1.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.1.1.3.3 _________________________________________________________________________________ II.1.2. During the works execution period ____________________________________________________________ II.1.2.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil ____________________________________________________ II.1.2.2. Hydro-morphological monitoring__________________________________________________________ a) Water flow monitoring ____________________________________________________________________ b)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports___________________________________________________ c)Monitoring of morphological modifications ____________________________________________________ d)Water quality ____________________________________________________________________________ II.1.2.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.1.2.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.1.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.1.2.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna ________________________________________________ II.1.2.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna ____________________________________________________________ II.1.3. After the execution of the works ______________________________________________________________ II.1.3.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil ____________________________________________________ II.1.3.2. Hydro-morphological monitoring__________________________________________________________ a)Water flow monitoring _____________________________________________________________________ b)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports___________________________________________________ c)Monitoring of morphological modifications ____________________________________________________ d)Water quality ____________________________________________________________________________ II.1.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.1.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.1.3.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.1.3.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna ________________________________________________ II.1.3.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna ____________________________________________________________

57 57 57 59 59 60 60 62 64 64 65 67 68 68 68 68 68 68 68 69 69 69 69 69 69 69 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 70 71 71

II.2. Monitoring of critical point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda )Island Area_______________________________71 II.2.1. Before the execution of the works _____________________________________________________________ II.2.1.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil ____________________________________________________ II.2.1.2. Hydro morphological monitoring__________________________________________________________ a)Water flow monitoring _____________________________________________________________________ b)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports___________________________________________________ c) Monitoring of morphological modifications ____________________________________________________ d) Water quality____________________________________________________________________________ II.2.1.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.2.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.2.1.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna _________________________________________________ II.2.1.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna ________________________________________________ II.2.1.3.4. Monitoring birds fauna ______________________________________________________________ II.2.2. During execution of works. __________________________________________________________________ II.2.2.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil quality and noise quality ________________________________________ II.2.2.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring __________________________________________________________ a)Monitoring flow __________________________________________________________________________ b}Monitoring of sediment transport in suspension _________________________________________________ c)Monitoring of morphological changes _________________________________________________________ d)Water quality ____________________________________________________________________________ II.2.2.3. Monitoring biodiversity _________________________________________________________________ II.2.2.3.1. Monitoring ichtyofauna _____________________________________________________________ II.2.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.2.2.3.3. Monitoring terrestrial flora and fauna___________________________________________________

71 71 71 73 73 73 74 74 74 75 75 76 77 77 77 77 77 77 78 78 78 78 79

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II.2.2.3.4. Monitoring avifauna ________________________________________________________________ II.2.3. After the execution of works _________________________________________________________________ II.2.3.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil and noise ____________________________________________________ II.2.3.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring __________________________________________________________ a)Monitoring of flow________________________________________________________________________ b)Monitoring of sediment transport in suspension _________________________________________________ c)Monitoring of morphological changes _________________________________________________________ d)Water quality ____________________________________________________________________________ II.2.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.2.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.2.3.3.2. Monitoring of flora and fauna_________________________________________________________ II.2.3.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna ________________________________________________ II.2.3.3.4. Monitoring of avifauna ______________________________________________________________

79 79 79 79 79 79 80 80 80 80 81 81 81

II.3. Monitoring critical point 10, Caleia Arm (Ostrovu - Lupu) __________________________________81 II.3.1. Before to execution of works _________________________________________________________________ II.3.1.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil and noise ____________________________________________________ II.3.1.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring __________________________________________________________ II.3.1.3. Monitoring biodiversity _________________________________________________________________ II.3.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.3.1.3.2. Monitoring of flora and fauna_________________________________________________________ II.3.1.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna ________________________________________________ II.3.1.3.4. Monitoring of birds_________________________________________________________________ II.3.2. During execution of works___________________________________________________________________ II.3.2.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil and noise ____________________________________________________ II.3.2.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring __________________________________________________________ II.3.2.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.3.2.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.3.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.3.2.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna_____________________________________________________ II.3.2.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna ____________________________________________________________ II.3.3. After the execution of the works ______________________________________________________________ II.3.3.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil ____________________________________________________ II.3.3.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring __________________________________________________________ II.3.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.3.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.3.3.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.3.3.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna_____________________________________________________ II.3.3.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna ____________________________________________________________

81 81 82 83 83 84 85 86 86 86 87 88 88 88 89 89 89 89 89 90 90 90 91 91

II.4. Monitoring program for the last critical points 03-09. ______________________________________92 II.5. Monitoring of works impact on Natura 2000 Sites _________________________________________93 II.5.1. Before the execution of works ________________________________________________________________ II.5.1.3. Biodiversity monitoring _________________________________________________________________ II.5.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.5.1.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.5.1.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna_____________________________________________________ II.5.1.3.4. Bird fauna monitoring_______________________________________________________________ II.5.2. During the execution of works ________________________________________________________________ II.5.2.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.5.2.3.1. Ichtyofauna monitoring _____________________________________________________________ II.5.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.5.2.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna_____________________________________________________ II.5.2.3.4. Bird fauna monitoring_______________________________________________________________ II.5.3. After the execution of works __________________________________________________________________ II.5.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity _______________________________________________________________ II.5.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna ___________________________________________________________ II.5.3.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna __________________________________________________ II.5.3.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna_____________________________________________________ II.5.3.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna (as above) ____________________________________________________

95 95 95 95 95 96 96 96 96 96 96 97 97 97 97 97 97 97

List of ACRONYMS and ABREVIATIONS _______________________________________________99 BIBLIOGRAPHY __________________________________________________________________101 4

CONSIDERATIONS ON THE EFFECTS OF THE WORKS ON NATURA 2000 SITES Given the uniqueness and sensitivity of the Danube ecosystem the precautionary principle is generally applied for the design of the overall Project, the development of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and monitoring programme and ultimately project execution. The objectives of the technical assistance consist in the analysis of the works of the project and in detailing their impact on the Natura 2000 sites situated in the perimeter of the works provided for the improvement of the navigation in the Danube sector between Calarasi and Braila, on one hand, and, on the other hand, in the elaboration of a Monitoring Programme dedicated to the effects of such works before the starting of the works, during them and aprox. two years after the completion of the works. There are 10 critical points for the project and 3 critical points to be firstly monitorized: Critical point 01 02 03A and B 04A and 4B 07 08 09 10

Sector Bala Epurasu Seica Ceacaru + Fermecatu Fasolele Atarnati Varsaturii Ostrovu Lupu

Km 347 - 343 342+700 – 341+800 329 – 325 324 – 322 291 268 + 400 – 266 + 850 233 - 232 197 - 195

According to the present project concept, the implementation of further project stages will respond to the results of the monitoring programme. The monitoring programme will be an integral part of the Project and the precautionary principle will be applied with respect to preserving the integrity of the NATURA 2000 network in implementing the project. This would also imply that further mitigation measures will be envisaged and designed as required in case significant negative environmental impacts are identified as a result of the planned monitoring programme. It must be stressed out that, if during the monitoring, at the level of bottom sills, there shall be noticed significant effects, then there shall be applied mitigation, or even elimination measures of these effects; if these shall not have the expected success, then the alternative of dropping off the second phase of works will be assumed by the Government of Romania, because Romania is responsible for ensuring the minimum navigation conditions on the Danube according to the Danube Commission recommenations, as Romania is one of it’s Member States. The Environmental Impact Assesment Study elaborated by ICIM did not make a detailed and substantiated analysis of the possible negative effects of the works, either dredging, banks protections against erosion or water flow directing towards the traditional navigation routes by means of guiding wall and bottom sill. Also the Environmental Impact Study elaborated by ICIM did not stipulate the quantities and the correct existing information in the works execution project. METHODOLOGY The experts involved in this detailed analysis had at their disposal all the necessary documentation and they carried out direct investigations on the field in order to interpret the above mentioned effects on the habitats and species existing in these special protection areas of bird fauna (SPA) and respectively in the Community Interest Sites (SCI). The impact study realized in a first stage was analysed as well as all the technical documents in order to be able to detail the impact in point of quantity. Besides the design documents and the annexed drawings, the work team studied carefully all the interventions of the civil society, mainly ICPDR, IAD, WWF, DEF, and all the correspondence between the European Commission and international experts. At the same time, the requested detailed analysis was based on the professional experience of the team of st nd experts and on the observations made on the field (4 field trips) in the period March 1 – April 22 2009. The presentation of the conclusions and the detailed observations were focused on the three critical points: 01 Bala Branch Area, 02 Epurasu Island Area and 10 – Caleia Branch, because the works will start with them, in a first phase, and the results of the monitoring programme there shall be decisive for the continuation or of abandoning of these works or of the works forseen for the second phase. But the approach also reviewed, mentioning the similitude, all the other working points that made the object of the observations of the environmental authorities (National Administration of the Romanian Waters, National, Regional and Local Agencies for Environmental Protection and of the Water Management and Biodiversity Directorates within the Ministry for Environment. The present document received comments and annotations from responsible structures in charge with the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the European Directives: Water Framework Directive, “Habitats” Directive and “Birds” Directive, and has been improved and completed.

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For interpretations, and also for a more friendly presentation, the experts used the facilities offered by the Web-site Wikimapia and the cadastral presentations of APIA (Agency for Payments and Investments in Agriculture). The maps obtained were used for the identification of the exact location of the sites Natura 2000 and also for the calculation of the surfaces affected by the project. In order to detail the possible impact on the sturgeons, a large specialist literature was consulted, among which older and very valuable works (Antipa, Carausu). There were also analyzed the telemetry methods proposed to be used for the monitoring of the sturgeons migration and the necessary equipment for the monitoring. As regards the water invertebrates, the analysis used data provided by two of the experts (Manoleli and Galdean) who have worked for a long period of time in research programs of the Danube, as well as data from other literature sources. The experts made 4 (four) field trips in order to inspect the 10 points where works are to be carried out. The trips were made on water by means of a motorboat, at each work point the experts left the boat to go on land, both on islands and on the river banks neighboring islets in order to make observations. During the four field trips the team met the representatives of the designer, of the constructor and of the beneficiary of the works, thus clarifying different technical aspects. It met fishermen, too. The assessment area is represented by 5 sites (see map 1 and map 2): RO SCI 006 – Balta Mica a Brailei, RO SCI 0022 – Canaralele Dunarii, RO SPA 005 – Balta Mica a Brailei, RO SPA 0039 – Dunare Ostroave, RO SPA 0017 – Canaralele de la Harsova The work points are effectively included only in these four Natura 2000 sites (SCI – 2 and SPA – 3). .

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I.IMPACT BY CRITICAL POINTS OF WORK I.1. Critical point 01, Caragheorghe Bala Branch Area (see Annex B1) The works in the critical point 01 consist of: • • • • •

banks protection with a length of 1147 m; submersed guiding wall with a length of 2164 m; submersed bottom sill with a length of 175 m; 2 m from the river bottom rate buried bottom sill, with a width of 4 m at the base and 16 m at the river bed surface; 3 dredging on the fairway of 312193 m (in the last stage of the above mentioned works).

In the critical point 01, Bala/Caragheorghe, the foreseen construction works are located in two Natura 2000 sites, namely: • ROSCI0022 Canaralele Dunarii (see Table 1) • ROSPA0039 Dunăre Ostroave (see Annex 3 – list of bird species) Regarding the effects on NATURA 2000 site Canaralele Dunarii, we have to mention that this site has been designated for a large number of habitats (see table 1). Table 1 Type of habitates in the RO SCI 0022 site and their existence within the works perimeter (* priority habitats) Cod

Type of habitates existing within the Canaralele Dunarii site RO SCI 0022

Existence in the works perimeter

3130

Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the IsoëtoNanojuncetea

Does not exists within the works perimeter

3140

Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri p.p. and Bidention p.p. vegetation Ponto-Sarmatic deciduous thickets Ponto-Sarmatic steppes Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels

Does not exists within the works perimeter

Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) Eastern white oak woods Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) Euro-Siberian steppic woods with Quercus spp. Pannonian-Balkanic turkey oak –sessile oak forests Salix alba and Populus alba galleries Southern riparian galleries and thickets (Nerio-Tamaricetea and Securinegion tinctoriae)

Does not exists within the works perimeter

3270

40C0* 62C0* 6430

6440 6510 91AA* 91F0

91I0* 91M0 92A0 92D0

Does not exists within the works perimeter

Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter

Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter

Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter

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I.1.1. Specific effects of the construction works on the land eco-systems. I.1.1.1. Land clearing from land and tree clearing 2

The total Surface on which land clearings and tree clearing are to be made is of about 8435 m of which 2 2 abt 2700 m are situated on the body of the guiding wall while 5735 m are situated on the stone of banks protection (to the Danube and to the Bala Branch) of the Turcescu Island which is o be protected on a length of 1 1147 m. The land clearing works consist in cutting abt. 860 trees from which 260 willows situated on the existing stone guiding wall and abt. 600 pcs. of american poplars on a land stripe of abt. 5 m situated near the water, for making the flattened strips for the support of the guiding wall acting as guiding wall and erosion protection. The surface on which the tree clearing is realized on the two river banks lines is very reduced (5735 2 m of the surface of Turcescu Island) and the number of cut trees, considering an average of 800 pcs. /hectare, represent only 0.88% of the total number of trees present on the two river banks. The impact is absolutely insignificant from the point of view of wood volume. The execution period for the works is also reduced (31 months) so the impact of site clearing is insignificant. The land clearing will be carried out following the tree cutting. The tree cutting will be performed according to the legislation in force, following the authorization of the forests Directorate. The trees are to be cube sized and marked by the authorized personnel, a cutting area will be organized, documents attesting the origin of the wood will be filled in and the tree wood will be transported outside the working area. Unlike the classical practice, when the tree stumps were kept, now for the land clearing these are completely removed, operation necessary for the land sloping. This operation is also beneficial for the elimination of the ligniculture exemplary for the purpose of their replacement with domestic species. The species Marsilea quadrifolia and Campanula romanica are not specific for the habitats of the 10 working points and their neighboring area: the water fern Marsilea quadrifolia vegetates in eutrophic, very shallow still waters, while the bellflowers Campanula romanica are endemic for the Macin Mountains and not for the water meadow vegetation. We mention this because these two species have been incorrectly mentioned in completion to the EIA Report prepared by ICIM Bucuresti and ICDEAPA Galati to obtain the Approval Natura 2000 for this project. The following types of habitats have also been mentioned incorrectly in the same document: pontosarmatic broad-leaved under-wood bushes; ponto-sarmatic steppes; wood edge communities with high hydrophilic grasses from plain level to mountain and alpine level; alluvial meadows of Cnidion dubii; ponto-sarmatic forest vegetation with fluffy oak; mixed riparian forests with Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the large rivers (Ulmenion minoris); Euro-Siberian silvo-steppe vegetation of Quercus spp; Balkan-Pannonic forests of Quercus Cerris and common oak. None of them are present in the 10 working points or in the adjoining areas. The habitats characteristic for the Quercus species are present in the Danube Delta and in Dobrodgea region but not in the lower meadow of the Danube, nor on the islands. 2 The land strip, abt. 5 meters wide and 1147 m long (5735 m ) with American poplars which is o be cleared, crosses at places the strip of natural willow trees playing a role in stabilizing the banks. However the impact is reduced as at the end of the works, when the site is closed, the willow strip will be quickly restored by planting willow branches (sulinari) of 10-15 cm diameter, and the willow riverside coppice is fast growing (production cycle of 20-25 years). No impact on habitats and species of the Natura 2000 sites. The clearings does not affect certain species that nest in the trees inside the forest, as the Codalb Eagle for which artificial nest have been built. Until now, not even a single Codalb Eagle (Haliaetus albicilla) has been encountered here, neither in own nest or in an artificial nest since many years ago.

I.1.1.2. Site clearing 2

The total surface on which the land is cleared and controlled is of only 29.310 m , the clearing consist in cleaning of the stubs, dead wood resulting from bancks erosion, other vegetable patches and remaining objects on water and land after floods. In the working points and in the neighboring areas there are no land plant species enjoying a special conservation statute that make the object of the annexes to the Habitats Directive. The fauna species possibly affected by this clearing, which represents the control and clearing of the land of roots and dead wood are nematodes, oligochaetes and terrestrial gastropods as well as geophilomorphes, of which none is listed in the site sheet as threatened or vulnerable species requiring special measures of conservation. Locally and very reduced impact.

1 Whereas the term deforestation means also the changing of the land use, must be pointed out that in the context of this technical report the term of deforestation is reffering only to cutting trees especially in areas affected by erosion, as will not change land use (after completion of works the vegetation will br reestablished).

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I.1.1.3. Excavations on the banks and under the water level 3

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Excavation on bank area (both above 4926 m and under water level 140 m for guiding wall at the bottom sill area on the Bala branch) 3 3 Excavation of bank area (both above 15159 m and under water level 13889 m for guiding wall upstream and downstream of the sill) 3 Excavation on bank area under water level 4944 m for sill under river bed 3 3 Excavation on bank area (both above 12703 m and under water level 22212 m ) for Protection of the river bed and banks against the erosion at Bottom Sill area 3 3 Excavation on bank area (both above 9025 m and under water level 24186 m ) for Bank protection upstream and downstream of the Sill Excavations are made exclusively from the water with grab buckets installed on floating platforms specially brought for the purpose, so as to avoid bringing heavy equipment on land. Some of the material resulting from surface excavation of the area will be deposited in the neighborhood of where the guiding wall shall be embedded on the banks, some will be deposited on the guiding wall to create a favourable environment for vegetation and another part will be deposited behind the guiding wall to create a wet environment favourable for macrophytes. The impact is negligible, especially because in the longitudinal axis of the site is none of the designated habitats and no nests of SPA birds. The removal of the bank slopes may lead, on the river banks affected by underwater excavations, for a brief period of time, to modifications of the bank morphology, (the bank is abrupt) and to the reduction of the chances for submersed and emerged hydrophilic plants to install themselves, thus modifying the colonization rate. The construction of the guiding wall may have a beneficial effect, behind it appearing flooded areas with shallow waters which create optimal conditions for the installation of such macrophytes (species like Potamogeton, Ceratophylum, Myriophylum). The wood resulting from tree cutting, stored as cutting area, shall be taken over by the forest authorities and loaded on board the ships. The conditions of transparency and turbidity are modified with strictly local negative influences for a short period of time (no more than three days) over the composition, abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton, strictly during the execution of the underwater works. Mention is made that there are no species of macrophytes in any of the working points that appear on the list of Annex II to the Directive „Habitats” In the clay river banks of the Danube there used to be galleries of ephemeroptera (mayflies) larvae – Palingenia, but the species disappeared from the Danube due to the irregular level variations caused by the Iron Gates Dam. The larvae of Palingenia (Ephemera), also called Pentecost as they emerge around this date, used to represent food for the sterlet. We may say that along the provided bank protection, following the excavations, there could be affected the eventual galleries of Palingenia but given the reduced surfaces on which are provided the works this impact is insignificant. As regards the colonization rate, it regards specially the possibility of installation of phytophilous fauna, if it has been there, i.e. if the macrophytes – the necessary support, existed. As they are practically absent, there can be no colonization. No impact on Natura 2000 sites.

I.1.1.4. Storage and transport of building materials 3

Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone and stone blocks: together 154131 m for the guiding wall at the bottom sill area on the Bala Branch. Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone, rockfill prism and stone blocks: together 401108 3 m for the guiding wall upstream and downstream of the sill 3 Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone and stone blocks – together 320866 m , concrete piles 149 pcs. for the bottom sill in order to reduce the cross section on the Bala mouth 3 Storage and transport of construction material: raw stone 5021 m for the sill under river bed. Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone, rockfill prism and stone blocks – together 62742 3 m for the protection of the river bed and banks against the erosion at bottom sill area. Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone, rockfill prism and stone blocks – together 87383 3 m bank protection upstream and downstream of the sill. The stone blocks are from the stone pits organized according to the technical standards for production and sale (industrial activities). The granite blocks come from different authoritzed quarries according to the legislation in force. These construction materials are brought by barges, they are not stored on land and they are unloaded directly from the barge on the fagot mattresses on the work site, which excludes the impact on the ecosystems on land. The worksite organization will be in Izvoarele, in locations where exists an access road, concrete and stone platforms (see photo 1 and photo 2) and a mooring point (Parjoaia Port, right bank – km 348). The barges with the necessary stones for the foreseen works will stand on the Parjoaia Port from where will be carried and discharged directly on the work. There are no storage points on land; the stone/blocks of stone are brought by the lighter and the mattresses are charged directly in the water. The possible, local impact on the land vegetation could be due to

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the powder/dust generated by the traffic, very reduced and limited to the period prior to the beginning of the works, when there will be transported the necessary elements for the arrangement of the worksite. The sedimenting powders shall be monitored within the air monitoring programme. No impact on habitats and species of the sites ROSCI0022 and ROSPA0039.

I.1.1.5. Obtaining the organic matter: (fagot mattresses) 2

Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 6000 m , 0.75 m thick for the guiding wall at the bottom sill area on the Bala Branch 2 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 6750 m , 0.60 m thick; fagot mattress 25875 m , 0.75 m thick for the guiding wall upstream and downstream of the sill 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 57000m , 0.75 thick for the bottom sill in order to reduce the cross section on the Bala Mouth 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 7125 m , 0.75 m thick for Protection of the river bed and banks against the erosion at bottom sill area 2 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 1500 m , 0.60 thick; fagot mattress 9375 m , 0.75 m thick Bank protection upstream and downstream of the sill The harvesting of the rods and the making of the fagot rolls / bundles take place in accordance with the Forrest Mangement Plan of the Forrest Directorates by authorized agents, and the fagot bundles are sold to the constructor. The fagots, under the shape of bundles, are brought from all over the country, depending on the availabilities and offers of the different entrepreneurs from cultivated willow and osier plots, according to the request of the constructor. The fagots are brought by the suppliers in the nearest harbors wherefrom they are loaded on board the barges and transported on the site for the manufacturing, on board the lighters, of the fagot mattresses. All the operations of transport, ballasting/sinking and laying down of the fagot mattresses are carried out from floating barges or lighters and so the environment impact is zero. No impact on habitats and species of the sites ROSCI0022 and ROSPA0039.

I.1.2. Specific Effects of the construction works on the water ecosystem The Table 2 below briefly presenting all the critical points and the type of works to be done, mentioning their effects on the riparian aquatic habitates. I.1.2.1. Direct effects of the construction materials on the existing habitats Temporary disturbance of the existing habitats. In time, the limestone material is going to be colonized by periphyton and a lithoreophilous fauna (see Table 2) rather diverse, mainly consisting of larvae of trichoptera Hydropsychidae, gastropods and turbelariates. The newly created layer shall stimulate the installation of lithoreophilous species of crustaceans, gammarids and corophiids as well as larvae of trichoptera insects of the Hydropsyche genus.

Critical point 01 BalaTurcescuCaragheorghe; km 347 - 343

Table 2. Effects of the works on the riparian aquatic habitats Work Positive effects Submersed bottom sill

Submersed guiding wall Bank protection

Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the installment of lithoreophilous fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which 2 usually has a benthonic fauna rather poor (under 0,5 g/ m ) (own researches made between 1984-1985, Manoleli, Galdean). It forms under the water level a hard, rough habitat, favorable for the installation of fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 7000 m is created, favorable for the litoreofilous fauna (mainly from the Hydropsychidae family mentioned above).

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02 Epuraşul Area; km 342,7 341,8 03A Upstream Şeica; km 329

2 m from the river bottom rate buried bottom sill, with a width of 4 m at the base and 16 m at the river bed surface dredging on the fairway of 312193 3 m (in the last stage of the above mentioned works) Submersed guiding wall

Submersed bottom sill

Bank protection

03B Downstream Şeica; km 327

Submersed bottom sill

Bank protection

04A Ceacâru; km 324

Submersed bottom sill

Bank protection

04B Fermecatu; km 322

Submersed bottom sill

Bank protection

07 Fasolele Area; km 291

Submersed bottom sill

Bank protection

08 Area km 268,5 - 267

Bank protection

Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the installment of lithoreophilous fauna;

The bottom dredging affect locally the benthic fauna and the aquatic flora. The local negative effects of the dredging on the aquatic flora and fauna are minor in the general context of the annual modifications of the Danube bed with abt. ± 50 cm, as a result of erosion and sedimentation. The effects are minor all along the navigation channel. Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the installment of lithoreophilous fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous (Amphipods, Oligochaeta, larva of Chironomidae). Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the installment of lithoreophilous fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which usually has a rather poor benthic fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 10000 m is created, , favorable for the litoreofilous fauna Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the lithoreophilous fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which usually has a rather poor benthic fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 10,000 m is created, favorable for the litoreofile fauna. Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the lithoreophilous fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which usually has a rather poor benthic fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 5700 m is created, favorable for the litoreophiilous fauna Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the lithoreophile fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which usually has a rather poor benthic fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 2500 m is created, favorable for the litoreophilous fauna Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the lithoreophile fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which usually has a rather poor benthic fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 2000 m is created, favorable for the lithoreophilous fauna Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 6700 m is created, favorable for the

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09 Area km 233 – 232

Bank protection

10 Ostrov Lupu; km 197 – 195

Submersed bottom sill

Bank protection

Dredging on the fairway on the Danube

lithoreophilous fauna Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 7000 m is created, favorable for the lithoreophilous fauna Setting up of a new habitat, under the water level, favorable for the lithoreophilous fauna; behind the sill there may appear detritic particle agglomerations favorable for the installation of detritivorous organisms; the diversity is increased in a sand area which usually has a rather poor benthic fauna. Increase of the surface and heterogeneity of the habitat due to the under layer formed of stone blocks of 200-600 kgs and 1 m thick; a partly 2 submersed habitat of abt. 4000 m is created, favorable for the lithoreophilous fauna The bottom dredging affect locally the benthic fauna and the aquatic flora. The local negative effects of the dredging on the aquatic flora and fauna are minor in the general context of the annual modifications of the Danube bed with abt. ± 50 cm, as a result of erosion and sedimentation. The effects are minor all along the navigation channel.

This fact will determine the significant increase of both the number of species and of benthic biomass. First of all, the habitats, if we speak about them, does not refer to a listed of habitats, because in the mentioned perimeters, 01, 02 and 10) there are none of these. As regards the construction materials, represented the sorted and raw stone clocks, in time they will have beneficial effects through the creation of micro-habitats for litoreophilous species, among which a species mentioned in Annex II - Theodoxus transversalis. Inside the stone blocks other species shall install also, as those of the genus of Hydropsyche (Trichoptera), planaria, leeches (species of the genus Erpobdella). No impact or very reduced impact on water ecosystem.

I.1.2.2. Effects of the bottom sill and of the guiding wall Effects on Sturgeons Through the realization of the works provided by this project the sedimentation on the Old Danube Branch is reduced by abt. 20% in the first phase and by abt. 30% in the final phase. Through these works, mainly the bank protections and the bottom sills on the secondary branches, the erosion on the location of the works will be reduced, this determining the corresponding reduction of the alluvial transports. The most important effect, with a significant hydrologic impact, takes place in the bottom sill area, where, due to the narrowing of the flow section, the current speed increases. This increase of the flow speed may possibly have a negative effect on the spring migration of the most valuable species of fish of the Acipenseridae Family towards their reproduction places, due to the induced resistance to upstream swimming of the sturgeons. But, the impact on sturgeons in this concern is uncertain. This effect is taken into consideration in all the critical points where bottom sills are foreseen; thus, the generalities mentioned below are applicable for all the critical points not only for the 01 critical point. All the Acipenseriformes are listed in Annex V – Animal and Plant species of community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management mesures of the Council Directive 2006/105/EC of 20 November 2006 representing an adaptation of Directives 73/239/EEC, 74/557/EEC and 2002/83/EC in the field of environment, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania Six species of sturgeons are native to the Danube River Basin, five are classified as either ‘Endangered’ or ‘Critically Endangered’, and one ‘Vulnerable’ (Acipenser ruthenus) according to the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2004). In fact, one of the five endangered species (Acipenser gueldenstaedti, A. nudiventris, A. stellatus, A. sturio, Huso huso), the Atlantic sturgeon (A. sturio), is already extinct in the Danube River Basin. Recently, CITES (2006) introduced a ban for export and import quota of sturgeon caviar that had become extremely scarce proving that their protected status under international regulations was not effective. In 2004-2005, in situ information from the Lower Danube River by scientists and fishermen substantiated the critical situation of sturgeon stocks (PARASCHIV & SUCIU 2006). Single sturgeon catches of extremely rare species added much speculation about the existence of remaining populations.(Annex 4-Table 2) While the scientific community has comprehensively reviewed the biology and status of Danube sturgeons, elucidated the causes of threats, and provided the necessary measures to restore endangered sturgeon populations (e.g., REINARTZ 2002, and literature quoted therein), the economic and political side remained obscure as legal fishery statistics are thought to be biased, and illegal trade and poaching are significant. Legal instruments (Annex 4 - Table 3) are not harmonized among countries, are partly insufficient and partly not implemented. Thus, the recent dramatic decline of Danube sturgeon populations reinforces the urgent

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need for significantly enhanced basin-wide cooperation and action for conservation and restoration of sturgeons in the Danube River. In December 2005, a Sturgeon Action Plan (AP 2006; BLOESCH et al. 2006), jointly prepared in a WWF/IAD workshop by experts and stakeholders, was adopted by the Standing Committee of the Bern Convention in the frame of the Council of Europe. Together with already existing instruments, the AP may provide important tools and mechanisms for the propagation and implementation of measures and actions to avoid complete extinction of sturgeons in the Danube River and Black Sea systems. In the opinion of some specialists the migration and reproduction of sturgeons could be affected, mainly on Bala Branch of the Danube. We have to underline the fact that we can not, objectively speaking, anticipate the behavior of the sturgeon species under stress. Often, animals find the most surprising solutions to secure their offsprings a future. In this respect, many other specialists share their wishes to obtain more scientific data in order 2 to proceed to an assessment of sturgeons’ conservation . Here bellow, we try to complete what is often ignored of the biology of sturgeons’ nutrition, reproduction and behavior, relying more on published documents than on those preceded by the syntagm “personal communication” (Annex 3 - Table 1). But, as the information is rather deductive than factual, the consultants’ team supports the idea of a well designed monitoring programme, even if sometimes it could have the characteristics of the initiation of a Research program and of an Internationalized Action Plan, already launched in 2005 (Bloesch and all, 2005). This seems to be the only truly scientific approach remained, in order to reduce the uncertainty regarding the ability of the sturgeons to overcome the power of the water flow in their upstream journey.” We can say that the possible negative impact on the sturgeon is uncertain. The Sturgeons we refer to are Acipenser gueldenstaedtii, Common sturgeon, Danube Sturgeon, Russian Sturgeon. Huso Huso, Beluga, Acipenser ruthenus; Starry sturgeon – Acipenser stellatus and Acipenser sturio Atlantic sturgeon; vyza (Acipenser glaber) has disappeared from our fauna and Ship sturgeon – Acipenser nudiventris is close to extinction in the Dabube Basin (see Romanian Red Book of vertebrates). It is worth mentioning that all species of sturgeons swim only on the bottom of the water due to the reduced degree of fine sediments.

Acipenser gueldenstaedti Brand, 1833 (Russian sturgeon) The Russian sturgeon has two periods of migration in Danube River, relatively balanced from the point of view of their intensity. In the spring, a maximum of the migration intensity is in April. In fall, the migration starts earlier and is the most intense in September. The Russian sturgeons spawn in the late April or May and prefer for spawning the pits of 8-20 m deep, rocky and sandy bottom places, similar to those of the beluga. There is some old information regarding the possibility for the Russian sturgeon to swim also into the main tributaries of the Danube, mainly in the Prut and Siret rivers Because this species is well adapted to fresh water, few biologists consider that some biological forms of the Russian sturgeon remain all year long in the Danube. The Russian sturgeon adult individuals use almost the same sites for spawning places as Beluga. (Ciolac, Patriche, 2004). Acipenser ruthenus - Sterlet is a potamodromous species, inhabiting the lowland and foothill zones of rivers and usually never leaving fresh water. Individuals of this species only occasionally move into the brackish water of estuaries for feeding. Tagging experiments have revealed a maximum migration distance in the Danube River of more than 300 km. As the water temperature decreases the fish form large shoals in the deepest sections of the river or in depressions in the river bed to over-winter without feeding. The main food items in all rivers consist of small benthic organisms. However, especially in lowland rivers and downstream sections of reservoirs, zooplankton also plays a significant nutritional role. A. ruthenus generally spawns in spring high-water periods. During spring floods, adults swim upstream for spawning, which is initiated when a suitable water temperature is reached. In the Middle Danube, timing ranges from April to May when water temperatures are between 8 and 19 °C at water depths of up to 10 m. The optimal temperature for reproduction ranges from 12 to 17 °C . There are two types of spawning sites: floodplain areas that are flooded by the rising spring water levels and sites on the riverbed. Spawning on the riverbed occurs at depths of 7 to 15 m. The eggs are laid on pebbles 1 to 7 cm in diameter, and rarely on gravelly-sand bottoms. The current velocity ranges from 1.5 to 5 m s-1. In 2

Almost nothing is known about mating and spawning habitats. However, considering the short duration of sperm mobility, a good degree of synchrony in the release of the male and female gametes has to be presumed (Billard & Lecointre, 2001). Homing fidelity has yet to by proven for sturgeons, but is thought to be the explanation for adults returning to an area that had been otherwise unvisited since the early life-stages. It is still uncertain whether anadromy or potamodromy is the plesiomorphic (“ancestral”) life-history pattern for Acipenseriformes. The same species can display different life histories and migration pattern in different river systems (Kynard in Balon, 1997), while similar habitats within a river system may be used for different development stages by different sturgeons species (Bain in Balon, 1997). The life history of sturgeons is highly adaptive. In the case of hybrids, there is no clear-cut documentation of superiority compared to parental growth, food conversion and fecundity, and the use of exotic species and/or genotypes, as well as hybrids, in aquaculture is questionable in terms of the risks of escape into open waters and contamination of wild sturgeon population (Billard & Lecointre, 2001)

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impoundments, reproduction usually occurs in the region farthest upstream, where there is still significant water current. Acipenser stellatus ponticus – Starred sturgeon is a Black Sea endemic species, which include two populations with some distinct morphologic characters; the one migrates for spawning in the Dnepr River and the other one in the Danube River. Into the Black Sea, the stellate sturgeon spends winter in not too deep locations, generally situated relatively close to the banks at 8-10 m deep. It starts to migrate to Danube River in March or April when the water temperature is about 8°C . The maximum of the migration intensity is recorded generally in May. There is also a fall migration that has almost the same characteristics with the fall migration of the Russian sturgeon.The spawning places are actually situated upstream of Harsova ! Huso huso - Beluga Even there are some suppositions concerning a different behaviour, characteristic to some other biological forms of beluga, which are capable to spend more than one year in Danube River, there is not any documented data to prove it. Also the idea of two existing biological forms of beluga, the first one migrating in the autumn and the second one in the spring, has not scientifically proved arguments. The differences regarding the age and the degree of the maturation of gonads between the individuals that compose the flocks in the spring, respectively in fall, can be rather do to the different precocity. The belugas spawn in Danube River on the rocky or sandy bottoms placed in the deep locations of 8 to 20 m, in the late spring when the water temperature is 13°C or more. These favourable places for the beluga reproduction are usually located into the upper sector of the Romanian Danube River and even in the upper Danube. After 8 or 9 days, depending on the water temperature the young hatches and after another 8 days they start to actively feed. The beluga offspring slowly returns to Black Sea in late summer and in the fall. They usually remain in the front of the Mouths of the Danube until the late fall when start to swim to the deeper waters of the Black Sea, along the continental platform, for wintering. A few similar places could be found also upstream at Calarasi Town. Even when optimal conditions are missing, Belugas are very likely to reproduce also on different spots on the whole lower zone of the Danube, between 0 and 400 km. (Ciolac, Patriche, 2004) .High and long-lasting water level induces an increased migration but also catching difficulties resulting in a lower amount of captured individuals. Lower water levels usually mean lower intensity of migration but a relative increased capture due to the easiness of sturgeons fishing in the Danube during the low water period. (Ciolac A., Patriche N. 2004) Nourishment of sturgeons in the Danube Common Blak Sea Sturgeon: Adults: 50% mollusks, 30% crustaceous 20% fish; Offsprings: oligochetes and shell-fish, insect larva. Sterlet - Adults: Amphipods and insect larva (mayflies, caddisflies, midges), fish eggs, alevins; Offsprings: Amphipods and insect larva; Species once dependant on the populations of Palingenia. After 1970, the disappearance of the Palingenia larvae represented the main factor of decline of the population of sterlets. Starred Sturgeon: Adults: shell-fish, mollusks, insect larva, fish; Offsprings: shell-fish, mollusks, insect larva (midges, caddisflies mayflies). Beluga Adults: fish (mostly cyprinides); Offsprings: shell-fish (mostly gammarids), mollusks, insect larva. Valid for all species: the individuals wintering in the Danube (those from the second migration wave) are feeding on oligochaetes which concentrate in pits and form very large biomasses. Previously they used to feed on ponto-caspian relict polychaetes from the Iron Gates, Hypania invalida and Hyppaniola kowalewskyi (more details in Ciolac 2004 Annex 1 and in A. Dr. Christian Wiesner O. Univ. Prof. Dr. Mathias Jungwirth – Annex 2) Actually, the key threats to Danube sturgeons are cumulative and include: over-exploitation (over-fishing linked with poaching and illegal trade), habitat loss and degradation due to river regulation and construction including the disruption of spawning migrations by dams and pollution (bio-accumulation of toxic substances), and potential alteration of the genetic and ecological status by the introduction of exotic species and genotypes possibly through inadequate hatchery practice (REINARTZ et al. 2003). Due to the many factors affecting sturgeon populations it is impossible to relate the threatened status of any sturgeon species to a single cause or change in the environment.

Effects on other species of fish The Danube Herring (Alosa pontica sin.A.immaculata) is a sea fish entering the Danube at the beginning o of spring when the water temperature is 3 – 7,5 C. The peak of migration is reached during April – May. The reproduction areas are mostly between km 180 and km 500. The eggs remain in the water (they are pelagic) until the eclosure of the offsprings.

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The larva of Alosa pontica feed on zooplankton and their favorite habitat is in the surface water layer, 0,5 m thick, with a high degree of turbidity. The strong current orientates the downstream migration of the larvae and may influence the distribution of individuals on certain sectors of the Danube. (Năvodaru, 2001) The works provided by this project do not affect neither the biology of the Danube Herring nor the migration of this species as the most important factors that control the reproduction of this fish (water temperature, zooplankton, flooding) are not affected by the bottom sill or by the bank protections walls. Among the relict clupeids in that old area there are those belonging to the Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian Sea. However, only few species enter in Danube River for spawning: Alosa pontica, Alosa maeotica, Alosa nordmanni and Clupeonella delicatula. The Danube shad lives in Black Sea. It is a pelagic species and prefers the Southern areas of the Black Sea. The adult individuals size about 40 cm and rarely weight more 1 kg. Its behaviour in the marine environment is not well studied but it is known that in the winter, the Danube shad can be found along the South-Eastern Coast of the Black Sea in the relative deep locations (more than 40 meters). As the water become warmer, the Danube shads crowd closer to the Romanian coasts of Black Sea in the less deep areas. They start to swim into the Danube River when the water temperature becomes relative stable in the interval of 5 to 6°C. This happens usually in the last decade of March and the beginning of April. The maximum intensity of the Danube shad migration is recorded in April-May when the water temperature is about 9-13°C . In addition to the water temperature the other important ecological factors for the migration intensity are water turbidity and the amplitude of the water level oscillations. A high degree of the water turbidity, quite usual in spring, in Danube River, can delay the beginning of the Danube shad migration. Also the unusual low water level has a negative impact on the migration start and the migration intensity. The lastingness of the Danube shad migration is between 100 days and 150 days, depending on the temperature evolution, frequently 120-130 days. The migration is almost finished in June when the water temperature is about 19-20°C . Being a pelagic species, the Danube shad lays the spawn in the mass of the water. Depending to the water temperature, the incubation of roes takes from 43 to 72 hours. The offspring enters the flooded areas for feeding and developing and leaves those areas as soon as the water level starts to decrease. An important amount of the offspring can be found in the Mouths of the Danube River areas almost in the same time in which the spawners return to the Black Sea, after the reproduction. The spawning areas into the Danube River are located mainly up to Calarasi Town. In case of fish species reffered for canaralele Dunarii please find below some biological characteristics and the potential impact due to the works execution (see Table 3). Table 3– Fish species reffered into the Annex 6 / Ministerial Order 1964/2007 on setting up natural protected areas regime for sites of community interest, as integrated part of the Natura 2000 ecological network in Romania within Canarelele Dunarii Site Canaralele Dunării – fish species reffered in Annex 6/OM 1964 /2007 Code Species 4120 Alosa tanaica

2441 Alosa immaculata)

pontica

(Alosa

1124 Gobio albipinnatus

2511 Gobio kessleri

1134 Rhodeus sericeus amarus

1145 Misgurnus fossilis 1157 Gymnocephalus schraetzer 2555 Gymnocephalus baloni 1149 Cobitis taenia

Sensibility to work impact It migrates up to downstream of the works sector, down to Calarasi; it spawns its eggs at a depth of 1-1,5 m, on sand, banks or vegetation; it may be affected only in work area, migration is not influenced; Species of industrial fishing. Reduced impact It migrates up to downstream of the works sector, down to the Iron Gates; pelagic spawning; it is not dependant of a type of bottom and does not feed during its Danube migration; abundant species, fished industrially; reduced impact. Reophilous semi-migratory, it may be affected only temporarily, strictly in the works area; frequent and abundant species in the Danube. Reophilous semi-migratory in the whole navigable channel of the Danube, from Oltenita to the Black Sea Mouth; it may be affected only temporarily, strictly in the works area; Frequent and abundant species. It depends on the flooding areas, rarely appears in the Danube when the level of the marshes in the flooding area diminishes; not affected by the works. The installation of Unionids mollusks behind the bank protection may favor this species. It is characteristic for muddy habitats, with slow water flow; little probability to appear in the area of works. Strictly reophilous species, it prefers the hard, well oxygenated bottom habitats; it may be favored by the works. No impact Strictly reophilous species, it prefers the hard, well oxygenated bottom habitats; it may be favored by the works. No impact Reophilous semi-migratory, it may be affected only temporarily, strictly in the works area; dependant of weak current zones,

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2522 Pelecus cultratus 1159 Zingel zingel

1160 Zingel streber

1130 Aspius aspius

muddy or sandy bottom. No impact Reophilous semi-migratory; it may be affected only temporarily, strictly in the works area; ordinary species. Reduced impact Reophilous semi-migratory; relatively frequent upstream of Galati; it may be affected only temporarily, strictly in the works area; No impact Reophilous semi-migratory; rare species, present downstream of Braila; little probability to appear in the area affected by the project; mentioned in the site sheet, on the basis of a generalization. No impact Reophilous semi-migratory, it may be affected only temporarily, strictly in the works area; Frequent and abundant species. Reduced impact

I.1.2.3. Dredging Effects Through the realization of the works provided in this project, the minimum levels on Borcea Branch, upstream of the confluence with Bala Branch will increase insignificant. For this reason, the project as designed does not provide for dredging upstream Borcea Branch. The hydrologic modifications on the Old Danube Branch shall have beneficial effects for its users (mainly the Nuclear-Electric Power Plant of Cernavoda, Danube-Black Sea Channel), for the wet zones on the river banks (rising of underground water layer at minimum flows of the Danube has multiple favorable effects) for the irrigations and water supply, etc.). The project intends the reduction of the dredging volumes necessary for the maintenance of the navigation depths all through the year by means of the hydrotechnical works to be made. 3 The project provides for dredging volumes of abt. 321,193m . The dredging is executed on the Danube bed, in the navigation channel, in order to remove the sand deposits accumulated and to facilitate the construction works on Bala Branch. The dredged material is discharged in locations indicated and approved by the National Administration ”Romanian Waters”. The bottom dredging affects locally and limited on the works period the benthic fauna and the aquatic flora. The local negative effects of the dredging on the aquatic flora and fauna are minor in the general context of the annual modifications of the Danube bed with abt. ± 50 cm, as a result of erosion and sedimentation. The effects are reduced all along the navigation channel. The dredging generates, in the worst situation, to bental association commuting between the hydraulic dunes depressions, being well know that this is the place where are to be found agglomerations of detritic populations of Amphipod and of carnivore ones as Odonata and Trichoptera. This commuting does not mean a quantitative or qualitative depletion of this fauna, as these organisms find quickly alternative habitats. Anyway, due to the drift phenomenon (a natural phenomenon, present in all running waters, and consisting in carrying downstream the benthic organisms) a permanent re-population of the benthic habitats available takes place. The effect is insignificant for the fish species mentioned in the table above. I.1.3. Mitigation measures Upon the recommendation of ICDEAPA Galati, based on considerations of sturgeon migration protection, the profile of the bottom sill was modified. For the same purpose, it was decided that the works on the bottom sill and guiding wall will be executed in July – August and November – February. We also appreciate that such measure shall have the expected efficiency and that the migration of sturgeons will not be affected by the realization of the project, at least for its first phases of work (see below). In order to support the real time gathering of evidences related to sturgeons migrations and to respond to the need for certitudes, the study team proposes a works schedule which shall meet solicitations coming from specialists and the civil society; the later requested an extension of monitoring period before starting the works. The proposal is to start the monitoring in the fall of 2009, allowing time for setting up of the working site. Then, in spring, monitoring shall continue, in parallel with the works on the river banks (bank protection), including the second autumn season. The fish monitoring will continue in each migration season until the works finalization and almost two years after. During the works execution the major obstacle, the bottom sill will be progressively elevated, but the construction will be stopped at each period suggested by the monitoring results. Taking the above mentioned measures, we expect to obtain the following information:
Identification of the individuals migrating from and towards upstream on Bala and Old Danube before the works starting;

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Identification of preferred itineraries by species, before the works starting; Getting of the same types of information during the inception of works limited to the settings close to the river bank;
Accurate setting-up of the forbided periods for the works to the botton sill. The mitigation measures, imposed by the preliminary results of the monitoring programme, consist of:
the creation of an appropriate environment for the laying of fish eggs and spawning downstream to the bottom sill from the critical points 01 and 10, by discharging rocks in an area of 20 acres, for the situation, less probable, in which the sturgeons species might not pass over the bottom sill. An additional alternative could be the connectivity with Old Danube through Turcescu Branch that connects Bala Branch to the Danube, downstream of the provided bottom sill for the less probable situation in which sturgeons could not pass over the bottom sill. This branch will be included in the monitoring activities. An amount of the earth excavated from the river bank is discharged on the river bank, filling some terrestrial hollows along the river bank line. The remaing excavated soil will be used to cover the guiding wall and the bank protection after their construction and for the maintenance of an equal height of the island and of the guiding wall. So, the raising of water turbidity shall be substantially avoided. 3 If sufficient alluvial draining is created at flows of up to 6000 m at Silistra will have as effect the reduction of the dredging volume on the Old Danube. Recommendation: during nesting: March- beginning of April the projects activities on land should be suspended and resumed in May/June – October and continue all through the winter, starting from November. During the period of land clearing and tree cutting, a few mature, healthy trees should be kept so that they may generate seeds for the natural regeneration following the site closing. The tree cutting shall be carried out exclusively in lignicultures with Euro-American poplar hybrids with ages close to end of the production cycle where anyway cutting areas will be organized. The realization of some pockets at the level of the guiding wall allowing for the installation of wet area vegetations and the attenuation of the high flood wave during autumn and spring periods or during exceptional hydrologic conditions (floods). In the river bank of the Turcescu Island, there is, in its upper third, a local recess in the river bank determined by the erosion of the water, practically forming a „pocket” that may be kept through the execution of the banks protection in a straight line on the Bala Branch. So the bank protection, being of stone, the water level in the pocket, shall be equal to that of the river but the absence of strong water current would allow for the installation of wet zone vegetation and the assurance of a resting place for birds during their migration.

I.1.4. Site restoration When closing the construction site, care will be taken that the areas initially covered with willows should be re-planted with twigs from the neighboring willows in order to speed up the recovery of the area. Through the monitoring activities, there will be identified the nests of the large predators directly or potentially affected by the works of the project, and if the nests were affected by the works, artificial nests will be installed. The covering of the bank protection, once completed, with a layer of soil, shall allow the characteristic vegetation of the islands to recover completely, as provided in the project (recovery of habitats existing prior to the execution of the works). As mitigation measures, the project provides the artificial reproduction of the sturgeons and the repopulation of the Danube with young sturgeons and other species of fish according to the Environmental Agreement. Anyway, on a long term, the works envisaged by the project are beneficial for the fish fauna of this Danube sector by stopping the tendency of atrophy of the Old Danube Branch. 1.1.4. Alternative measures It must be stressed out that, if during the monitoring, at the level of bottom sill, there shall be noticed significant effects, then there shall be applied mitigation, or even elimination measures of these effects; if these shall not have the expected success, then the alternative of dropping off the second phase of the work shall be assumed by the Government of Romania, because Romania is responsible for ensuring the minimum navigation conditions on the Danube according to the Danube Commission recommenations as Romania is one of it’s Member States. I.2. Critical Point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area In the critical point 02, the Area of Island Epurasu (Lebăda), the construction works – a submersed guiding wall - are to be implemented mainly in the Natura 2000 Sites ROSCI022 and ROSPA0039, i.e. near the same sites

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as in the critical point 01 (see Table 1); any habitat mentionned in this table has been found around the Critical Point 02 and any bird species is not affected by the guiding wall construction (Annex 3). I.2.1. Specific effects of the construction works on the land ecosystems I.2.1.1. Land clearing from land and tree clearing 2

Trees are cut on an extremely small surface of 477 m , where the guiding wall shall be embedded on the river bank and the 40 trees that are to be cut represent a very small percentage of only 0.01% of the total of about 360.000 trees present on the island. For 5 years (since 2003 till 2008) the land in the vicinity of the works location which was cleared in 2002-2003 and which was grey on the orto-photo-plan of 2003, has been colonized very quickly by forest vegetation On the Photo-plan of 2008 (Fig. 1 and 2) green bushes and young trees can be seen. In the area of the works the vegetation is recovering rapidly, and as a proof, an area was marked on the two figures where the recovery of the vegetation over the lapsed 5 years can be clearly seen. As it is a re-forestation by natural regeneration, the result will be a poplar coppice, bordered by a line of willows. The coppice, as well as the whole of the autochthonous vegetation is vulnerable to alien species such as Amorpha fruticosa, Fraxinus penssylvanica, Acer negundo and Eleagnus angustifolia.

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Figure 1. Area of Critical Point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area, in 2008 (acc. to Wikimapia)

Figure 2. Area cleared at Critical Point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area in 2003 (acc. to Google Earth) In this respect it is necessary to monitor the process of installation mainly for Amorpha fruticosa, a most opportunistic species which later may require very costly works for its elimination. The works provided for in the project consolidates and preserves the area upstream of Epurasu Island.

I.2.1.2. Site clearing on the work area 2

The control and clearing activities are carried out on a surface of 25440 m situated mainly under the water level of the works site. The impact is insignificant, affecting only 0.008% of the forest surface situated in the neighborhood on the island. The effect is only temporary. After the works the vegetation recovers quickly. On the territory where the works take place and the equipment is located and in the neighboring areas there are no land plant species enjoying a special conservation statute that make the object of the annexes of the Habitats Directive. The species Marsilea quadrifolia and Campanula romanica are not specific for the habitats of the 10 working points and their neighboring area: the water fern Marsilea quadrifolia vegetates in eutrophic, very shallow

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still waters, while the bellflowers Campanula romanica are endemic for the Macin Mountains and not for the water meadow vegetation. We mention this because these two species have been incorrectly mentioned in completion to the EIA Report prepared by ICIM Bucuresti and ICDEAPA Galati to obtain the Approval Natura 2000 for this project.(Table 1) The fauna species possibly affected by this clearing, which represents the control and clearing of the land of roots and dead wood are nematodes, oligochets and terrestrial gastropods as well as geophilomorphes (carnivores), of which none is listed in the site sheet. A monitoring can be carried out before starting the works but in our opinion this would not be necessary in the perimeter of the designed works. I.2.1.3. Excavations on the banks and under the water level 3

The excavations are mainly under the water level in a volume of 8345 m and over the water level in 3 volume of 4244 m and they are necessary for the leveling and sloping of the land the realization of the guiding wall ends and their embedding in the river banks. Some of the material resulting from surface excavation will be deposited in the neighborhood of where the 2 guiding wall will be embedded on the banks and shall occupy a surface of 4175 m , on a land strip 5 m wide and 835 m long, some will be deposited on the guiding wall to create a wet environment favourable for vegetation and another part will be deposited behind the guiding wall to create a favourable environment for macrophites. The impact is negligtible, especially because in the longitudinal axis of the site is none of the designated habitats and no nests of SPA birds. The excavations on river bank under the water level have the same effects as in Bala Point only that they will be on much smaller surfaces: • Modification of the sedimentation rate in the most recently formed area of the Island, followed by the reduction of the vegetation colonization rate. • Short term modification of the transparency and turbidity conditions with strictly local negative influences over the composition, abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton. • Modification of the composition and abundance of the aquatic flora, other than the phytoplankton, is likely to produce, although in none of the work points we cannot speak of a proper macrophyte flora. Mention is made that there are no species of macrophytes in any of the working points that appear on the list of Annex II to the Directive „Habitats” In the clay river banks of the Danube there used to be galleries of ephemeroptera larvae – Palingenia, but this species disappeared from the Danube due to the level variations caused by the Iron Gates Dam. The larva of Palingenia (Ephemera), also called Pentecost as they emerge around this date, used to represent food for the sterlet. We may say that along the designed bank protection, following the excavations, the eventual galleries of Palingenia could be affected but given the reduced surfaces on which are provided the works, this impact is insignificant. As regards the colonization rate, it regards specially the possibility of installation of phytophile fauna, if it existed there, i.e. if the necessary support of macrophytes existed. As they are practically absent, there can be no colonization.

I.2.1.4. Storage and transport of building materials The material resulting from the excavation above the water level shall be used as filling for the embedding of the guiding wall ends and the rest will be spread around. The material resulting from the excavation under the water level shall be deposited on the river bank, behind the guiding wall towards Epurasu Branch, without negative effects. The stone blocks are from the stone pits organized according to the technical standards for production and sale (industrial activities). The granite blocks come from different authoritzed quarries according to the legislation in force. These construction materials are brought by barges, they are not stored on land and they are unloaded directly from the barge on the fascine mattresses on the work site, which excludes the impact on the ecosystems on the land. The worksite organization will be in Izvoarele, in locations where there exist an access road, concrete and stone platforms and a mooring point (Parjoaia Port, right bank – km 348). The barges with the stones necessary for the provided works will stand on the Parjoaia Port from where will be carried and discharged directly on the work. There are no storage points on land; the stones/blocks of stone are brought by the lighter and the mattresses are charged directly in the water. The possible, local impact on the vegetation could be due to the powder/dust generated by the traffic, very reduced and limited to the period prior to the beginning of the works, when there will be transported the necessary elements for the arrangement of the worksite. The sedimenting powders shall be monitored within the air monitoring programme.

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I.2.1.5. Obtaining the organic matter (fagot mattress) 2

Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 6000 m , 0.75 m thick for guiding wall at the bottom sill area on the Bala branch 2 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 6750 m , 0.60 m thick; fagot mattress 25875 m , 0,75 m thick for Guiding wall upstream and downstream of the sill 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 57000m , 0.75 thick for Bottom Sill in order to reduce the cross section on the Bala mouth 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 7125 m , 0.75 m thick for Protection of the river bed and banks against the erosion at Bottom Sill area 2 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 1500 m , 0.60 thick; fagot mattress 9375 m , 0,75 m thick Bank protection upstream and downstream of the Sill The harvesting of the rods and the making of the fagot rolls /bundles take place in accordance with the Forrest Arrangement Plan of the Forrest Directorates by authorized agents, and the fagot bundles are sold to the constructor. The fagots, under the shape of bundles, are brought from all over the country, depending on the availabilities and offers of the different entrepreneurs from cultivated willow and osier plots, according to the request of the constructor. The fagots are brought by the suppliers in the nearest harbors wherefrom they are loaded on board the barges and transported on the site for the manufacturing, on board the lighters, of the fagot mattresses. All the operations of transport, ballasting/sinking and laying down of the fagot mattresses are carried out from floating barges or lighters and so the environment impact is zero.

I.2.2. Specific Effects of the construction works on the water ecosystem These effects are identical as those for the critical point 01, Bala-Caragheorghe (see Tables 2 and 3). I.2.3. Impact mitigation measures It is necessary to ensure a sufficient water flow in order to avoid the clogging of Epurasu Branch. For this purpose, the projects foresees the realization of a breach in the guiding wall, enssuring the continuity of the water flow on Epurasu Branch at lowest water levels.

When closing the construction site, care will be taken that the areas initially covered with willows should be re-planted with twigs from the neighboring willows in order to speed up the recovery of the area. Through the monitoring activities, there will be identified the nests of the large predators directly or potentially affected by the works of the project, and if the nests were affected by the works, artificial nests will be installed. The covering of the bank protection, once completed, with a layer of soil, shall allow the characteristic vegetation of the islands to recover completely, as provided in the project (recovery of habitats existing prior to the execution of the works). As mitigation measures the project provides the artificial reproduction of the sturgeons and the repopulation of the Danube with young sturgeons and other species of fish according to the Environmental Agreement. Anyway, on a long term, the works envisaged by the project are beneficial for the fish fauna of this Danube sector by stopping the tendency of atrophy of the Old Danube Branch. I.3. Critical Point 10, Caleia Branch (Lupu Island) In the critical point 10, Caleia Branch (Lupu Island), the construction works will be implemented mostly in the Natura 2000 Site IBA RO 078 / ROSPA 005 Balta Mică a Brăilei (Small Island of Brăila) and of SCI RO 006 with the same name( see table 4 ). Table 4 of habitates in the RO SCI 006 site and their existence within the works perimeter Code Habitate name Existence in the works perimeter 3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with Does not exists within the works vegetation of the perimeter Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the IsoëtoNanojuncetea Rivers with muddy banks with Chenopodion rubri p.p. Does not exists within the works 3270 and Bidention perimeter p.p. vegetation Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-silt- Does not exists within the works 6410

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6430 6440 6510 91F0

92A0 92D0

laden soils (Molinion caeruleae) Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) Riparian mixed forests of Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis and Ulmus minor, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the great rivers (Ulmenion minoris) Salix alba and Populus alba galleries Southern riparian galleries and thickets (NerioTamaricetea and Securinegion tinctoriae)

perimeter Does not perimeter Does not perimeter Does not perimeter Does not perimeter

exists within the works exists within the works exists within the works exists within the works

Does not exists within the works perimeter Does not exists within the works perimeter

In this critical point the works consist in bottom sill on the whole breadth of the branch, embedded in the river banks. The sill is provided with a window positioned centrally on the top and corresponding bank protections. I.3.1. Specific effects of the construction works on the land ecosystems I.3.1.1. Land clearing from land and tree cutting 2

Land clearing from land 737 m , trees clearing from land 70 pcs for Bank protection of the left bank on the Caleia branch. 2 Land clearing from land 1185 m , trees clearing 90 pcs. for Bank protection on the right bank on the Caleia branch. 2 Land clearing from land 435 m , trees clearing 45 pcs for Bank protection on the left bank on Danube. The strip of wood vegetation that is o be cleared is 371 m long and 5 m wide. It is situated in an area where there is an invasion of wood species (willow, osier, poplar) not yet stabilized as a forest. Although some trees will be cut, their number is very reduced and it won’t affect the structure of the forest vegetation.

I.3.1.2. Site clearing 2

Site clearing 2455 m , for Bank protection of the left bank on the Caleia branch 2 Site clearing 3950 m , for Bank protection on the right bank on the Caleia branch 2 Site clearing 1450 m , for Bank protection on the left bank on Danube In the working points and in the neighboring areas there are no species of land plants enjoying a special conservation statute that make the object of the annexes of the Habitats Directive. The species Marsilea quadrifolia and Campanula romanica are not specific for the habitats of the 10 working points and their neighboring area: the water fern Marsilea quadrifolia vegetates in eutrophic, very shallow still waters, while the bellflowers Campanula romanica are endemic for the Macin Mountains and not for the water meadow vegetation. We mention this because these two species have been incorrectly mentioned in completion to the EIA Report prepared by ICIM Bucuresti and ICDEAPA Galati to obtain the Approval Natura 2000 for this project. The following types of habitats have also been mentioned incorrectly in the same document: pontosarmatic broad-leaved under-wood bushes; ponto-sarmatic steppes; wood edge communities with high hydrophilic grasses from plain level to mountain and alpine level; alluvial meadows of Cnidion dubii; ponto-sarmatic forest vegetation with fluffy oak; mixed riparian forests with Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the large rivers (Ulmenion minoris); Euro-Siberian silvo-steppe vegetation of Quercus spp; Balkan-Pannonic forests of Quercus Cerris and common oak. None of them are present in the 10 working points or in the adjoining areas. The habitats characteristic for the Quercus species are present in the Danube Delta and in Dobrodgea region but not in the lower meadow of the Danube, nor on the islands. The fauna species possibly affected by this clearing, which represents the control and clearing of the land of roots and dead wood are nematodes, oligochets and terrestrial gastropods as well as geophilomorphes (carnivores), of which none is listed in the site sheet. A monitoring can be carried out before starting the works but in our opinion this would not be necessary in the perimeter of the designed works.

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I.3.1.3. Excavations on the banks and under the water level 3

Excavation on bank area under water level 34535 m for Bottom Sill in order to reduce the cross section of the Caleia mouth 3 3 Excavation on bank area (both above 3219 m and under water level 9832 m ) for Bank protection of the left bank on the Caleia branch 3 3 Excavation on bank area (both above 9941 m and under water level 20006 m ) for Bank protection on the right bank on the Caleia branch 3 3 Excavation on bank area (both above 319 m and under water level 4045 m ) Bank protection on the left bank on Danube. Some of the material resulting from the surface excavation will be used for land restoration behind the bank protection, some will be used for land reconstruction and some land will be deposited in the bank neiborhood and 2 will occupy an area of 17,767 m , a strip 10 m width and 1767 m lenght. The effects are negligible, especially because in the longitudinal axis of the site is none of the designated habitats and no nests of SPA birds. The wooden mass resulting from the tree clearing, deposited as clearing area shall be taken over the forest authorities by loading on board the ships. The material resulting from excavations will be used to fill in the gaps in the river bank produced by erosion and the surplus will be spread around. The digging and the loading of the excavated material are carried out with the dragline from the water. Excavations are made exclusively from the water with grab buckets installed on floating platforms specially brought for the purpose, so as to avoid bringing heavy equipment on land. The removal of the bank slopes leads, on the river banks affected by underwater excavations, for a brief period of time, to modifications of the bank morphology, (the bank is abrupt) and to the reduction of the chances for submersed and emerged hydrophilic plants to install themselves thus modifying the colonization rate. The construction of the bank protections may have a beneficial effect, behind them appearing flooded areas with shallow waters which create optimal conditions for the installation of such macrophites (species like Potamogeton, Ceratophylum and Myriophylum). The conditions of transparency and turbidity are modified with strictly local negative influences for a short period of time over the composition, abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton, strictly during the execution of the underwater works. The composition and abundance of the aquatic flora (other than the phytoplankton one) is modified, strictly for the period of execution of the underwater works. We mention that there are no species of macrophytes in any of the working points that appear on the list of Annex II to the Directive „Habitats” In the clay river banks of the Danube there used to be galleries of ephemeroptera larvae – Palingenia, but the species disappeared from the Danube duet o the level variations caused by the Iron Gates Dam. The larva of Palingenia (Ephemera), also called Pentecost as they emerge around this date, used to represent food for the sterlet. We may say that along the provided bank protection, following the excavations, there could be affected the eventual galleries of Palingenia but given the reduced surfaces on which are provided the works this impact is insignificant. As regards the colonization rate, it regards specially the possibility of installation of phytophile fauna, if it existed there, i.e. if the macrophytes – the necessary support, existed. As they are practically absent, there can be a weak colonization.

I.3.1.4. Storage and transport of construction materials 3

Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone and stone blocks – together 99873 m Bottom Sill in order to reduce the cross section of the Caleia mouth Storage and transport of construction materials: raw stone, rockfill prism and stone blocks – together 19071 3 m Bank protection of the left bank on the Caleia branch Storage and transport of the construction materials: raw stone, rockfill prism and stone blocks – together 3 31689 m Bank protection on the right bank on the Caleia branch Storage and transport of construction material: raw stone, rockfill prism and stone blocks – together 10225 3 m Bank protection on the left bank on Danube The stone blocks are from the stone pits organized according to the technical standards for production and sale (industrial activities The granite blocks come from different authoritzed quarries according to the legislation in force These construction materials are brought by barges, they are not stored on land and they are unloaded directly from the barge on the fascine mattresses on the work site, which excludes the impact on the ecosystems on the land. The barges with the construction materials necessary for the provided works will stand at the Gropeni – km 199 – 201 left bank from where will be carried and discharged directly on the work.

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I.3.1.5. Obtaining the organic matter (fagot mattress) 2

Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 69000 m , 0.60 m thick Bottom Sill in order to reduce the cross section of the Caleia mouth 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 3000 m , 0.60 m thick Bank protection of the left bank on the Caleia branch 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 4750 m , 0.60 m thick Bank protection on the right bank on the Caleia branch 2 Obtaining the organic matter: fagot mattress 1500 m , 0.60 m thick Bank protection on the left bank on Danube The harvesting of the rods and the making of the fagot rolls / bundles take place in accordance with the Forrest Management Plan of the Forrest Directorates by authorized agents, and the fagot bundles are sold to the constructor. The fagots, under the shape of bundles, are brought from all over the country, depending on the availabilities and offers of the different entrepreneurs from cultivated willow and osier plots, according to the request of the constructor. The fagots are brought by the suppliers in the nearest harbors where from they are loaded on board the barges and transported on the site for the manufacturing, on board the lighters, of the fagot mattresses. All the operations of transport, ballasting and laying down of the fagot mattresses are carried out from floating barges or lighters and so the terrestrial environment is not affected..

I.3.2. Specific effects of the construction works on the aquatic ecosystem I.3.2.1. Direct effects of the construction materials The Bank Protections realized of stone blocks modifies the existing type of habitat – muddy clay river bank, both under the water level and over the water level – and replace it by a hard, heterogeneous one. This type of work is used for the ecological reconstruction of the rivers affected by the river bank erosion and it intends to restore the continuity of the slope, the heterogeneous character of the under layer and the connection between the water and land habitats. On the stony layer, under the water level thin mud layer will be deposited and here will appear, first of all, a fine film of bacteria and algae; the periphiton thus created is then colonized by protozoa, corophiids and gammarid crustaceans, insect larva (caddisflies, midges) which are the food for omnivorous fish. The structure of the associations of organisms installed on the stony facies is well known from the old hydrobiological researches of the Danube (Limnologia sectorului românesc al Dunării, Edit. Acad. RSR, 1967, p. 287-307). As total surface permanently maintained under the water level, these new habitats reach at most 10,000 – 2 15,000 m which represents 0.03-0.04% of the submersed surface of the banks on Călăraşi-Brăila sector. The bottom sill realized of fagot mattresses covered with stone blocks represents a new habitat added to the sandy river bed, increasing the heterogeneous character of the associated biota . All these stony, new habitats, may become feeding places for the demersal fishes.

I.3.2.2. Effects of the bottom sill and of the bank protections on aquatic habitats The most important effect, with a significant hydrologic impact, takes place in the sill area, where, due to the narrowing of the flow section, the current speed increases. This increase of the flow speed may possibly have a negative effect on the spring migration of the most valuable species of fish of the Acipenseridae Family towards their reproduction places, due to the induced resistance to upstream swimming of the sturgeons. The impact of the works on the sturgeons must be correlated with tendency to diminish of the fish populations registered for several years which has multiple causes. We have to underline the fact that we can not, objectively speaking, anticipate the behavior of the sturgeon species under stress. Often, animals find the most surprising solutions to secure their offsprings a future. In this respect, many other specialists share their wishes to obbtain more scientific data in order to proceed to an 3 appropriate assessment of sturgeons’ conservation . 3 Almost nothing is known about mating and spawning habitats. However, considering the short duration of sperm mobility, a good degree of synchrony in the release of the male and female gametes has to be presumed (Billard & Lecointre, 2001). Homing fidelity has yet to by proven for sturgeons, but is thought to be the explanation for adults returning to an area that had been otherwise unvisited since the early life-stages. It is still uncertain whether anadromy or potamodromy is the plesiomorphic (“ancestral”) life-history pattern for Acipenseriformes. The same species can display different life histories and migration pattern in different river systems (Kynard in Balon, 1997), while similar habitats within a river system may be used for different development stages by different sturgeons species (Bain in Balon, 1997). The life history of sturgeons is highly adaptive.

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As the information is rather deductive than factual, we support the idea of a well designed monitoring programme, even if sometimes it will have the characteristics of the initiation of a Research program and of an Internationalized Action Plan, already launched in 2005 (Bloesch and all, 2005). This seems to be the only truly scientific approach remained, in order to reduce the uncertainty regarding the ability of the sturgeons to overcome the power of the water flow in their upstream journey.” We can say that the possible negative impact on the sturgeon is uncertain.

I.3.2.3. Dredging effects 3

The volume of the dredged material is about 206942 m , and the negative effect is manifest only locally, on the works site, but it is insignificant compared to the beneficial impact along the whole sectors Călăraşi-Vadu Oii and on 10 km along Caleia Branch. We have to mention that the connectivity with the backwaters of the floodplain is kept without modifications during and after dredging activities.

I.3.3. Mitigation measures In order to ensure the fish migration it was decided that the works on the bottom sill and guiding wall will be executed in July – August and November – February. We also appreciate that such measure shall have the expected efficiency and that the migration of sturgeons will not be affected by the realization of the project, at least for its first phases of work (see also the same statements in the section I.1.3.). In order to support the real time gathering of evidences related to sturgeons’ migrations and to respond to the need for certitudes, the study team proposes a works schedule which shall meet solicitations coming from specialists and from the civil society; the later requested an extension of monitoring period before starting the works. The proposal is to start the monitoring this fall, allowing time for setting up of the working site. Then, in spring, monitoring shall continue, in parallel with the works on the river banks (bank protection), including the second autumn season. The fish monitoring will continue in each migration season until the works finalization and almost two years after. During the works execution the major obstacle, the bottom sill will be progressively elevated, but the construction will be stopped at each period suggested by the monitoring results. Taking the above mentioned measures, we expect to obtain the following information:
Identification of the individuals migrating from and towards upstream on Bala and Old Danube before the works starting;
Identification of preferred itineraries by species;
Getting of the same types of information during the inception of works limited to the settings close to the river bank;
Accurate setting-up of the forbided periods for the works to the botton sill. The mitigation measures, imposed by the preliminary results of the monitoring programme, consist of:
the creation of an appropriate environment for the laying of fish eggs and spawning downstream to the bottom sill from the critical points 01 and 10, by discharging rocks in an area of 20 acres, for the situation, less probable, in which the sturgeons species might not pass over the bottom sill. An amount of the earth excavated from the river bank is discharged on the river bank, filling some terrestrial hollows along the river bankline. The remaing excavated soil will be used to cover the guiding wall and the bank protection after their construction and for the maintenance of an equal height of the island and of the guiding wall. So, the raising of water turbidity shall be substantially avoided. Recommendation: during nesting: March- beginning of April the projects activities on land should be suspended and resumed in May/June – October and continue all through the winter, starting from November. During the period of land clearing and tree cutting, a few mature, healthy trees should be kept so that they may generate seeds for the natural regeneration following the site closing. The tree cutting shall be carried out exclusively in lignicultures with Euro-American poplar hybrids with ages close to end of the production cycle where anyway cutting areas will be organized.

In the case of hybrids, there is no clear-cut documentation of superiority compared to parental growth, food conversion and fecundity, and the use of exotic species and/or genotypes, as well as hybrids, in aquaculture is questionable in terms of the risks of escape into open waters and contamination of wild sturgeon population (Billard & Lecointre, 2001)

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I.4. Conclusions regarding the specific effects on the Natura 2000 Sites The tables (Tables 2, 3, 5 and 6) and the Section I.1.2.2. are a review of all the habitats and species from the sites of community interest and from special protected areas for birds; some of them are less affected – the land ones – others more affected - the migratory species, mainly sturgeons ones. The negative effect on the land ecosystems, namely on the terrestrial habitats from it, is negligible. It is strictly local, limited to less than abt. 0,1 %, of the areas of sites. The perimeters having any Natura 2000 habitat SIC and SPA under threats. We consider that there may be an impact regarding the modification of the conditions of the migration ways of the sturgeons, and consequently, there is some uncertainty regarding the possibility of the sturgeons to 3 overcome currents of more than 2.5 m/sec at flows up to 6000 de m /sec measured at the Hydrometrical station Silistra. We have been looking for all the arguments related to this influence and we must confess that we could not find anywhere data regarding the migrating route on one or another or the Danube branches nor about the sturgeons’ capacity to overcome higher flow speeds of the Danube currents. We refer to validated data. We know some elements of nutrition biology and we know approximately the characteristics of the wintering places. But we cannot know, neither can we anticipate the adapting behavior of the sturgeons to stress situations. The majority of the information, as those once obtained by Professor Dr. Grigore Antipa, comes from local fishermen. For the time being, given the rarity of the captures and the intensification of poaching, even this type of information is no longer reliable. Anyway, the fishing of sturgeons was prohibited unilaterally by Romania in 2006 for 10 years. It’s adequate to mention here other causes that lead to this drastic reduction of the captures during the last decades: the dams, the lack of passages for the species of sturgeons, the intensification of the banks erosion and of water turbidity downstream of the dams, increased pollution mainly with heavy metals and other noxious substances. In order to avoid hasty decisions and to be able to intervene in due time for the safeguard of the species of sturgeons, it is necessary to pronounce verdicts based on facts and observations validated by experiments we can engage in. The reduction of the degree of incertitude cannot be achieved but during and at the end of an adequate period of monitoring, which is what this study proposes. Besides the beneficial effects on the navigation and on the more substantial supply with water of the Nuclear Station of Cernavoda, the works have a positive impact on this Danube sector creating favorable conditions for the development of associations of organisms on the hard under layer of stone used in the guiding walls and for the bank protections. It means an increased diversity of the species of invertebrates which have also a trophic value for the fish. I.5. General recommendations for the mitigation of the negative effects of the works on some Habitats of Natura 2000 Sites Through the monitoring activities, there will be identified the nests of the large predators directly or potentially affected by the works of the project, and if the nests were affected by the works, artificial nests will be installed. An alternative for the migration of the sturgeons is also represented by Turcescu Branch, which connects the Bala Branch to the Danube, downstream of the bottom sill provided by the project. This branch will be included int the monitoring activities. Keeping the river bank pocket at the entrance of Epurasu Branch, in the back of the guiding wall, as an attractive habitat for some species of herbivorous river bank birds (there macrophytes which, in general, are absent from the river bank areas along the sector Călăraşi - Braila can install). To extend the Lupu Island head by a groyne of about 50 m, which would facilitate the water deviation towards the Old Danube even during high waters and will keep the connection with Danube even at low water levels. The covering of the guiding wall, once completed, with a layer of soil, which would allow the characteristic vegetation of the islands to recover completely (habitats existing prior to the execution of the works). To place part of the earth resulting from the river bank excavation on the guiding wall after its completion, in order to maintain an equal level between the island and the guiding wall. In determining the site location, has to be followed as much as possible a reduction of tree cutting areas and the number of trees to be cut. The site clearing should not exceed the designed surfaces, in order to limit the biotope disturbances in the area. The harvesting of the rods and the making of the fagot bundles take place in accordance with the Forrest Arrangement Plan of the Forrest Directorates by authorized agents from areas with specific cultures, and the fagot bundles are sold to the constructor. The fagots, under the shape of bundles, are brought from all over the country, depending on the availabilities and offers of the different entrepreneurs from cultivated willow and osier plots, according to the

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request of the constructor. The fagots are brought by the suppliers in the nearest harbors wherefrom they are loaded on board the barges and transported on the site for the manufacturing of the fagot mattresses on board the lighters. All the operations of transport, ballasting/sinking and laying down of the fagot mattresses are carried out from floating barges or lighters and so the environment impact is zero. In order to reduce the volume of the fogot we propose that where it will be possible to be replaced with geotextile materials and in order to reduce the environmental impact we recommend that the works to be executed from the water, as it is provided within the project. Mounting of sound panels in the works area, covered with a camouflage net, for the reduction of the disturbance, so that the noise level measured at 4 m high and 100 m distance from the yard should not exceed 60 dB. In principle, the discharge of the rough sediments from the deep dredging should not be made in the deep places identified in the navigating channel; these should be preserved as such, as they are possible wintering places for the sturgeons and, at the same time, detritic habitats for the macro invertebrates that represent the main food for the sturgeons during their migration cycle in the Danube. The design of the project took into account the recommendations of WWF and other specialists, so as to provide for breaches in the guiding wall of Epurasu, thus assuring the continuity of the water drainage on Epurasu Branch even during low water levels. Information about the environmental impact during the works execution will be published in order to allow the civil society to look at the works evolution and their impact on the environment and monthly meetings will take place with also the environmental competent authorities. The monitoring team will report directly to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure which will inform as soon as possible the competent environmental authorities and together based on the monitoring team’s recomandation will take decisions about any necessary measure that may be taken. In case of accidental pollution, MTI will inform as soon as possible the environment authorities as soon as possible and decisions based on the Accidental Pollution Intervention Plan will be taken by the MTI together with the competent environmental authorities.

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Table 5. Synoptic table of the effects of the works on (SIC) - Natura 2000 Site Natura Code Terrestrial Impact 2000 Habitats in degree the area on the affected habitat by the project Community interest sites Balta Mică a ROSCI0006 Riverside 0 1) Brăilei coppice Small Marsh with Salix of Braila alba and Populus alba 92A0 3069 ha

the habitats and species from the community interest sites Remarks

Species from the affected areas

Impact Degree on the species

Not within the perimeter of the worksite

Bombina bombina code 1188 Hyla arborea

Not affected

Alosa pontica code 2491

Migration not affected Without significant impact Accidental presence .

A. tanaica code 41209 Rodeus sericeus amarus 1134

Canaralele Dunării

ROSCI0022

Coppice with Salix alba and Populus alba 92A0 9904,3 ha

3,7508 ha i.e. 0.037 % of the surface of the Site Natura 2000, but not of the Salix alba and Populus alba 92A0 Habitat

The surface potentially affected by the works is covered totally with plantations of hybrid EuroAmerican poplar, towards the end of their production cycle which according to the land arrangement study are to be harvested

Bombina bombina code 1188 Alosa pontica code 2491

Remarks

Not affected Migration not affected

Table 6. Synoptic table of the effects of the works on the habitats and species from the special protected areas (SPA) - Natura 2000 Site Natura Code Species from the Impact degree Remarks 2000 affected area Special protection area for birds (SPA) Balta Mică a Brăilei / Small Marsh of Braila

Canaralele of Hârşova

ROSPA005

ROSPA0017

Phalacrocorax pygmeus Ardeola ralloides Nycticorax nycticorax Botaurus stellaris Aythya nyroca Falco vespertinus Coracias garrulus

*Without significant impact

There were no nests identified in the perimeter proposed for works in 2009

*Without significant

There were no nests identified in the perimeter proposed for works in 2009

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Nycticorax impact nycticorax Lanius collurio Picus canus ROSPA0039 Aythya nyroca *Without DanubeThere were no nests identified in the Coracias garrulus significant Islands perimeter proposed for works in 2009 Plegadis falcinellus impact Nycticorax nycticorax * in the situation when no works are carried out during nesting period (March – April) and soundproof panels are used in the work area, the impact on the present species is considered insignificant. 1) Out of the 10 critical points of the project, only two, namely 10 (Caleia) and 09 (zone km 235-232) are within the perimeter of the National Park Balta Mică a Brăilei (Small Marsh of Braila) (ROSCI 0006 and RO SPA 005). The other points are distributed as follows: 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07 and 08 are in perimeter ROSCI 0022 Canaralele Dunării and RO SPA 0017 Canaralele de la Harsova; 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B are also in perimeter ROSPA 0039 Dunăre-Ostroave. The land activities in the two points 09 and 10 are carried out on a cleared surface of 1.8 ha (of which 0.0021% in Caleia and 0.0040% in point 09) wich is overlap by any habitat of community interest area. At points 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B a surface of 6.3 ha is cleared, representing 0.039% of the site Dunăre – Ostroave as follows: 0.0052% in point 01; 0.0064% in point 02; 0.0065% in point 03A; 0.0045% in point 03B; 0.0018% in point 04°, and 0.0142% in point 04B, these surfaces are not overlap with any comunitaire habitat area. At points 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08 the cleared surface is of 8,2 ha representing 0.083% of the site Canaralele Dunării as follows: 0.0085% in point 01; 0.0105% in point 02; 0.0107% in point 03A; 0.0074% in point 03B; 0.0030% in point 04°, 0.0232% in point 04B; 0.0093% in point 07 and 0.010% in point 08, these surfaces are not overlap with some communitary habitat area. As regards the two critical points situated in the perimeter of the National Park of Braila’s Small Marsh, note must be taken that they are near Vărsătura Island (09) and the Small Island of Braila (10), both having the statute of sustainable management zone (buffer zone) according to the Regulations of the Natural Park Small Marsh of Braila. Thus, no critical point is located near strictly protected zone and near an area of integral protection. According to Art. 14 of the Regulations of Natural Park Small Marsh of Braila « the observations on some climatic and hydrologic parameters of the abiotic environment and of the populations (mainly birds) represent a current activity for the administration and it is intended to permanently improve the inventory and the data on the evolution of the species and habitats existing in the Park perimeter. The field operators make observations on a well established route with special observation stations, twice a month, on standard forms » .

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MONITORING PROGRAMME The present monitoring programme is meant to track the evolution of the abiotic and biotic parameters in the work site on the sector between Calarasi and Braila, before, during and after the execution of the works for the improvement of the navigation conditions on the Danube along this sector. It will be followed and updated on the whole duration of the works designed and for a period of two years after their completion. There are 10 critical points for the project and 3 critical points to be firstly monitorized: Critical point 01 02 03A and B 04A and 4B 07 08 09 10

Sector Bala Epurasu Seica Ceacaru + Fermecatu Fasolele Atarnati Varsaturii Ostrovu Lupu

Km 347 - 343 342+700 – 341+800 329 – 325 324 – 322 291 268 + 400 – 266 + 850 233 - 232 197 - 195

The monitoring programme will constitute Terms of Reference for tendering the monitoring activities and includes minimum requirements for the methods and periods of prelevation of samples, the indicators to be analyzed, the data to be obtained, the analysis of these data, the requirements for experts and their experience and qualifications. The data regarding the situation prior to the starting of the works, shall be the reference points for the comparison of the data obtained during and after the execution of the works. These data still have to be gathered and put together in a way that they form a clear and transparent baseline. This is described in Section XX. In the activity of monitoring, the environment factors and the impact of the works on the environment, the provisions of the national and European legislation shall be observed, as well as the Environment Agreement no. 3/02.04.2007 issued by the Regional Agency for the Environment Protection in Galati, the Approval NATURA 2000 No. 102774/NH/16.03.2007, in mutual agreement with the territorial environment authorities (local Agencies for Environment Protection and Regional Agency in Galati) and under their supervision, with the periodical information of the involved factors. In the monitoring programme elaboration, consideration was given to the recommendations received from other interested/involved institutions or organizations such as ICPDR, WWF, IAD, DEF, etc. This monitoring programme is of operational type. The resulting information may suggest some solution for mitigating the environmental impact which could be taken into account by the engineers. The monitoring reports will be made available for the public on our website and also on the Romanian Lower Danube Administration Galati website The monitoring team will report directly to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure which will inform as soon as possible the competent environmental authorities and together based on the monitoring team’s recomandation will take decisions about any necessary measure that may be taken. In case of accidental pollution, MTI will inform as soon as possible the environment authorities as soon as possible and decisions based on the Accidental Pollution Intervention Plan will be taken by the MTI together with the competent environmental authorities. The requirements below are pre-requisites for the tenderer. Offers that are not complete regarding the monitoring of hydromorphological parameters, parameters related to fish, establishing a baseline and setting up an advisory board, will therefore not be regarded. I. GENERALITIES I.1.1.Air, noise and soil monitoring The following parameters will be used for air monitoring: • powders in suspension; • nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. The quantity of suspension powders shall be measured by weighting, on surface unit and time unit. The measurements are carried out only during on river bank works generating solid particles. Nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2 shall be measured by means of a lengthening piece (standard model). The measurements frequency shall differ depending on the ship traffic and the intensity of the execution works.

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____________________________________________________________________________________________ During the works, the provisions of STAS 10009-88, containing the maximum admissible values for noise must be observed. This standard stipulates maximum values of 65 dB(A) on the limits of an industrial site, with noise curb values Cz 60. As regards the maximum admissible values for residential areas (paragraph 2.5 of the a.m. standard), they are established at 50 dB(A) at 2 meters from the front of the building, acc. to STAS 6161/1-89. For the time interval between 6,00 a.m. and 10,00 p.m., Order no. 536/97 of the Minister of Public Health provides the same maximum admissible levels. For the time interval between10,00 p.m. and 6,00 a.m., the same document provides for an equivalent balanced acoustic pressure A, of 40 dB (A). For the noise intensity measurement the equipment 01dB-Metravib is recommended with measurements realized during the whole period of work execution. The soil quality is established based on the quantity of mineral salts, humic acids, organic matter, physical and mechanical characteristics (granulometry, porosity, texture, etc.) The execution of the works shall affect insignificantly, on very small surfaces, the physico-chemical and mechanical characteristics of the soil. We suggest for monitoring the edaphic fauna (mainly lumbricids) which is sensible to negative modifications due to soil compaction (monitoring the presence / absence of lumbricids). I.1.2.Construction site activity monitoring

It includes the monitoring of the residues collection, storage and disposal, the observance of the technology, the situation of the equipment and its wear and tear degree, etc. In the final stage of execution of the works, priority will be given to ecological reconstruction of the affected land. The monitoring will include the demolition of the provisional constructions, leveling, sloping and covering with vegetal earth of the degraded areas, replanting in the zones temporarily occupied by the site organization. Monitoring of the site activities shall be made in each critical point in parallel with the other parameters. I.1.3.Monitoring the observance of the Intervention Plan in case of accidental pollution The monitoring team shall dispose of an Intervention Plan in case of accidental pollution, elaborated by the operator and it will monitor the observance of the imposed conditions and of the prevention and intervention measures provided by them. I.1.4.Thematic monitoring I.1.4.1.Hydromorphological monitoring The evaluation method for the hydro-morphological overseeing data varies pending on the evaluation objective (e.g.: for helping the local river management, to orient/guide the rehabilitation of the depreciated river sectors, or to identify the areas or sectors of WFD framework reference. The European Standard adopted by ASRO SR_EN 14614 takes into account the current level of complexity of the national hydro-morphological evaluation methods, and provide a guide which allows to achieve a first evaluation of the ecarts importance, by report to the reference conditions. It is expected that a further development of the national methods and of th results compairing to lead to an harmonization of the evaluations, based on the causal forcasts of the fisical characteristics, specific to the type, in a river. The importance of ecarts by report to the reference conditions are used for the clasification of an area or a sector, in one of the five classes, based on the modification degree (art. 8). This ranking is to be obtained starting from the evaluation of the obtained data from a field study, as well as from other sources (e.g. maps, telesupervising) as to determine up to which point the criteria described at the art. 4.6. of the Water Directive are covered. The following features and characteristics (and the no. of the category), in table 3, are examples of features and characteristics which contribute to this evaluation. According to the volume “Management Plan for the Hydrographic Basins of Romania – Important matters of Water Management” elaborated by the Ministry of Environment and Water Management and the National Administration “ Romanian Waters” and published in 2007, the Danube water quality on the involved sector is : • good, from a chemical point of view on the Old Danube, Borcea and Caleia Branches • biologically: o good, on the Old Danube o moderate on Borcea and Caleia Branches • morphologically o strongly modified water body This situation was communicated to the European Commission by ANAR within the River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) at national level, and it appears also in the RBMP elaborated at international level (www.icpdr.org).

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The declaration for the water body Chiciu/Silistra- Isaccea as a “strongly modified water body” derives from the hydro-morphological modifications and less from modification of the chemical characteristics of the water. I.4.1.1. Hydromorphological parameters form the basis for the ecological evaluation AND serve also as indicators for judging the success of the project with respect to navigation. Thus, the monitoring of the hydromorphology is in line with the “Joint Statement on Guiding Principles on the Development of Inland Navigation and Environmental Protection in the Danube River Basin”, aiming for a win win situation for navigation and ecology. The hydromorphological monitoring is intended as part of an integrated monitoring approach, meaning that field work, analysis and interpretation of the results will be done in close cooperation with the biotic monitoring group. Furthermore, an interdisciplinary modelling approach is used as a common data analysis tool. Within the hydromorphological measurements the following parameters have to be monitored: • discharge • flow velocities • suspended sediment transport measurements (optional: bedload transport measurements) • morphodynamic processes I.4.1.1.1 Discharge Changing the flow distribution between the Old Danube and Bala branch is the main objective of the project and especially the sill construction. Consequently the monitoring of discharge is of major interest. Discharge measurements at three gauging stations At three new gauging stations continuous data of water levels are obtained. The recommended positions of the three sites are indicated in Figure 1a (red cross sections) and are supposed to be approximately 3.5 km upstream the planned sill, 11 km downstream on the Danube branch und 6 km downstream the sill on the Epurasu side arm, in close spatial relation to the telemetry stations 3 and 4. It has to be checked whether the proposed stations can be replaced by existing stations which were in use for a sufficient amount of time. If not, the suggested stations have to be established. Furthermore, the suggested stations also have to be set up in case the existing ones are too far away from the target reaches. Via 3D - ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) measurements, supplemented by 3D – ADV measurements (bottom near reach) at all three gauging stations stage-discharge relationships have to be obtained. Continuous water level measurements enable continuous determination of the discharge in these cross sections. The discharge is determined with an accuracy of about 1%.

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Figure 1a: Project area with gauging stations (red lines) and additional cross sections for specific discharge and suspended sediment transport measurements (yellow lines)

I.4.1.1.2 Flow velocities Flow velocities and their direction and distribution are key parameters affecting profoundly morphological developments and biotic habitats. Concerning the effects of the sill on sturgeon migration the flow velocities on top, upstream and downstream of the sill form, beside water depth the limiting and critical parameters. Changes in flow conditions provoked by the bottom sill and side arm closure can affect aquatic life and navigation conditions (secondary flow). Therefore intensive flow velocity measurements have to be performed within the reach. To refine the spatial resolution of the velocity measurements at critical points, the project area is divided into regions of different monitoring intensity with respect to temporal and spatial resolution. The different regions are indicated in Figure 1b. The detailed program of flow velocity monitoring in the different regions is described in table 14. The monitored discharges should include flows of: 3

-1

2000 m s 3 -1 4000 m s 3 -1 6000 m s 3 -1 8000 m s 3 -1 12000 m s The program of morphodynamic monitoring also varies according to the same division into regions (table 14). Figure 1b

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Figure 1b: Project area with regions of different velocity and morphology monitoring intensity Methods of velocity monitoring: 1) ADCP: used for determining the discharge (see chapter 1.4.1.1.1) AND for monitoring flow velocities distributed along the reach (see table 14) in connection with sturgeon migration. A high spatial resolution of velocity measurements is necessary, thus, depending on the location, measurements at cross section spacings down to 5 m are defined. As the ADCP is not able to measure flow velocities at the last 6 % of depth, due to interferences by side lobes, additional ADV measurements are needed near the river bed (region most important to sturgeon migration). 2) ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter) measurements (at least 64 Hz) together with suspended sediment sampling at the three gauging stations and additional two cross sections at the Epurasu side arm entrance (yellow lines in Figure 1a). I.4.1.1.3 Monitoring of Suspended Sediment Transport Suspended sediment load and subsequently the deposition and remobilisation of sediments are gaining importance especially in potamal regions. The sustainability of river engineering projects is dependent on aggradation and erosion processes which are highly influenced by hydraulic engineering structures. The knowledge of suspended sediment load and distribution helps to predict future developments in river engineering projects. The aimed change of the discharge distribution between the Old Danube river and the Bala branch causes a change in sediment transport. Also the intended measure at the Epurasu side arm modifies the sediment transport situation, leading to the necessity of a sediment transport monitoring. The basic monitoring concerns the suspended sediments, optionally also bedload transport could be monitored. By combining a continuous turbidity monitoring with direct measurements at various discharges (see flow velocity measurements, chapter 1.4.1.1.2) a continuous record of suspended sediment transport can be derived, allowing to calculate sediment balances and thus changes in sediment distribution between Old Danube and Bala branch. Monitoring Parameters: 1) Continuous turbidity [FTU] or [mg l-1] measurements (e.g. Hach Lange sensors) at the beginning and the northern and southern end of the river reach (red lines in Figure 1a) 2) Pointwise measurements near all turbidity sensors at different flow conditions for sensor calibration 3) Multi point extraction of samples and depth integrated probes with simultaneous velocity measurements over three gauging stations (red lines in Figure 1a) to gain a continuous record in combination with 1) and additional suspended sediment transport measurements around Epurasu side arm (yellow lines in Figure 1a). Samples must be taken in 5 points (0,05*h, 0,2*h, 0,6*h, 0,8*h and 0,95*h, where h means water depth) in 10 verticals.

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Or ADCP measurements combined with point wise probes (0,2*h, 0,6*h and 0,8*h in 5 verticals) and software aided interpretation. Equipment: 1) Turbidity sensors with a measurement range of 0.001 – 20 g/l or 0.001 – 4000 FTU; including a cleaning system and data logger 2) Bottle sampler of > 1 liter volume mounted on a rod or robe 3) Suspended sediment sampler that fulfils the following criteria: • Isokinetic sampling (in isokinetic sampling, water approaching the nozzle undergoes no changes in speed or direction as it enters the sampler) • Mounting construction that the disturbance of the flow pattern is minimized • Possibility to take point-integrated samples (valve control) • Enough weight (> 50 kg) so it can be used at high flow velocities • Sample has to get directly into the bottle (≥ 1-liter volume) because decanting can result in loss of material An overview of the measuring parameters, methods and frequency is given in table 02. Table 02: Program of suspended sediment monitoring Parameters turbidity supended sediment concentration near turbidity sensors distribution of the suspended sediment concentration at cross section

Methods turbidity sensors pointwise measurements with samplers multi point extraction or ADCP with samples

Frequency continuous < 1x per week 4 - 6 x per year at different discharges

All samples have to be analysed gravimetrically on their concentration of filtratable particles in a laboratory. This is done by vacuum or pressure filtration using a membrane filter (cellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate) with a pore diameter of 45 µm.

I.4.1.1.4 Monitoring of Morphodynamic Processes The measures planned in this river reach heavily affect sediment budget and flow conditions. This is anticipated to lead to huge morphodynamic consequences which affect river management, ecology and navigation. An intensive morphologic monitoring helps for process understanding and evaluation of the engineering measures. In particular the erosion and deposition patterns as a consequence of a modified discharge distribution caused by the bottom sill have to be monitored and analysed. It has to be shown if these modified morphodynamic processes lead to the intended improvements of navigation and ecology. The monitoring of morphodynamic processes has to take place according to the varying spatial and temporal measurement design, given in Table 14. Monitoring Parameters: 1) Echo sounding using single beam 2 to 4 times a year at defined cross sections (spacing see table 14) to detect morphological changes 2) Echo sounding measurements using multi beam (at medium to high flow conditions) 2 to 4 times a year in order to complete the digital terrain model and to detect morphological changes (spacing and locations see table 14) 3) Geodetical completion measurements at riparian regions which are not covered by laser scan or multi beam echo sounding. 4) Geodetical measurements in regions of high development or interest (heavily affected by the engineering measures) 5) Water levels have to be measured simultaneously to be able to derive water depths

The impact of the hydro-morphological modifications (flow section, modification of river bank morphology, etc.) shall be evaluated based on the monitoring programme and depending on the monitoring results, alternative solutions are to be provided so as to assure the conservation of the ecological potential. Hydromorphological measurements and modeling have to describe the abiotic conditions at the bottom sills that cause fish behavioural response.

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Table 7 Evaluation categories, characteristics and features of a current hydromorphological assessment (table is in need for harmonization according to text above) Categories of evaluation Generic Characteristics Examples of features wich are to be Nr.crt evaluated River bed 1 Geometry of river bed Flow itinerary Anasthomosis, sinuousity Longitudinal section Transversal section Modification by report to the natural flow itinerary Gradient, longitudinal profile Variations of the transversal section indicated by the depth, width, and the steep bank profile, 2 Substrates Artificial Concrete, river bed fixing Types of natural substrates I Incastrations (fixed big stones, rocks, etc) Big (big stones, and pebbles) Grossier (stones, Management/effects on pebbles, rocks) hydrographic basin Fine (sand) Siltous (river bank, and clay) Organic (peat, etc) 3 Vegetation in the river bed Structural forms of the Which come up at the water surface, flowing and organic deposits presented macrophytes with the flux, large leaves, submersed, briophytes. Type and size of the characteristics/ material Leaves and wooden Weeds removal deposits Vegetation management 4

The character of the erosion/ deposit

Caracteristics in the river bed and at the basis of the steep bank

5

Water volume

Flow profile

6

Longitudinal continuity as it was modified by the artificial structures

7

8

9

Artificial barrieres of incidence upon the flows continuity, sediments transportation, and the migration of aquatic organisms . Steep river banks/ riveraine areas Bank structure and Materials of the banks modifications

Type of vegetation/ structure on the banks and vecinity land

Flooding area Use of adiacent soil and

Deposit reas, bank deposits and islands (with, or without vegetation) Stable or of erosion cliffs ; sliding banks, or terasses . Free flow, laminary, turbulent Effects of the artificial structures (spur, deflectors) Stationary, radial, laminary, rapid/ fast Water catch/ captation, point of minimum level, water transfer, hydraulic dams downloads . Bottom sills, guiding walls which cross the river, bridgets

Gravel, artificial sand

Type of cover/ bank protection

Palboard screen, stone wall, linked stones

Vegetation structure

Types of vegetation, stratification, continuity

Vegetation management

Banks mowing, trees fall

Types of soil use, extension, and types of development

Agriculture, urban development

Types of soils use,

Forest in the flooding area, agriculture, urban

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associated characteristics

extension, and types of development Types of free waters/ wetlands

10

Degree: (a) of lateral connectivity of the river, and of the flooding area; (b) of side/lateral move of the river bed

Degree of constraint, by report to the potential mobility of the river bed and the water shanges, in the flooding area Continuity of the flooding area

development Old fluvial characteristics in the flooding area (Cut meandres, remainings of peat cannals

Artificial characteristics (irigation channels, fishery pond, ballast-pit)) Embarkments and dams (integrated in the banks, or withdrawn from them) guiding walls for protection against big waters and other restrictive characteristics

All important artificial structures which separe the flooding area

The data used for the evaluation of water quality were mainly supplied by the Water Directorates, the water users, County Agriculture Directorates, ROMSILVA Branches, local and county authorities, Environment Protection Agencies, Development Regions Administrations, the national Statistics Institute, The Research Institute for Pedology and Agro-chemistry, the National Institute for Research and Development “Danube Delta”, the National Marine Research and Development Institute “Grigore Antipa”, the National Hydrology and Water Management Institute and the National Research and Development Institute for Environment Protection – ICIM Bucuresti. The works provided in the project “Improvement of the navigation conditions on the Danube between Calarasi and Braila” are to be realized in the water body Chiciu-Isaccea (km 375.5-100) and their realization is carried out under the conditions stipulated by art. 4.7 of the Water Framework Directive: • the works carried out are of public interest; • the impact is reduced; • the costs for other solutions are disproportionate; • for specific effects, a monitoring programme is established which updates the condition of the affected water body. The monitoring programme for the impact of the works on the Chiciu–Isaccea water body shall have as objective the following hydro-morphological and quality elements necessary for the evaluation of the ecological condition of the water body, in accordance with the Water Directive (elements also mentioned by the Minister’s Order no. 161 of 16.02.2006 for the approval of the Standard regarding the classification of surface water quality in view of establishing the ecologic condition of the water bodies): • water quantity (total flow) • dynamics of water flow (water floe speeds); • connection with the ground water; • river depth • breadth variation • continuity of rivers • structure of river underlayer • water quality: o chemical elements in sediment o physic-chemical elements in water The equipment necessary for flow monitoring: • 3D ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) and 3D ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocity meter) for continous registration of water level and flow velocities; • Digital data logger on site; • Ship with multibeam bathymetric equipment and water and sediment sampling equipment; • Motorboat equipped with Doppler current meter; • Divers for continuous measurement of water level (permissible error 1 cm) ; • Automatic recording station and radio data transmission System. • Three-dimensional mathematical modeling programme On the whole, the 6 monitoring categories shall be carried out by work campaigns in the field. The campaigns shall be organized with specialized research ships equipped with bathymetric multibeam systems Doppler current meters, water and sediment sampling equipment (in suspension and on the river bed) and quick analysis equipment for the main characteristics of the water and sediments. After the field campaigns, specialized

37

laboratory tests shall be carried out: sediment granulometry with laser systems, geo-chemical analyses, mineralogical and biological analyses. The duration of a field monitoring campaign for each work area will be of abt. 10 days. The processing of the measurement data and the lab analysis program, including the elaboration of the scientific report for each area shall last abt. 20 working days after the respective campaign. Labour – field works; lab works; data processing and editing for 9 campaigns and a final report; The monitoring should take into account the fact that the National Administration Romanian Waters is constantly monitoring the following parameters for the following hydro-morphological elements: • Water level and flow • Connectivity with underground water bodies; • River continuity • Variation of river depth and breadth • Structure and underlayer of river bed • Riparian area structure Also the monitoring will be supplemented with the information gathered by the Constructor’s monitoring team. The proposed engineering works involve complex hydrological components and they have to be assessed by a combination of 3D numerical models and physical models. All the data collected by hydrological measurements and any other data will be loaded in 3D system to perform a proper numerical modeling. I.1.4.2.Monitoring of the flora and vegetation The appearance and distribution of the terrestrial and aquatic plants is a condition for the diversification of the habitats, playing a major role in the ecology of invertebrates and vertebrates (insect larvae, crustaceous, mollusks, fish, birds and mammals) as habitat (hiding or resting, feeding and reproduction place). Monitoring of the effects on the aquatic flora shall be made by evaluations in the areas adjoining the bottom sill and the bank protection. Monitoring of the effects on the terrestrial flora shall be made by evaluations in the areas adjoining the bank protections and the guiding walls. As in the works area there are no vegetal species with special conservation statute (species mentioned in the annexes of the Habitats Directive, or on the red list of plants, endemisms, etc) which would necessitate the monitoring of the populations, in our case the monitoring will be restricted to the list of species (flora of the area), the species richness and the parameters characterizing the vegetation in the respective area. The evaluation and interpretation of the results shall be made by experts recognized as specialists in the field. The vegetation monitoring system includes both the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and it is structured on three steps: before, during and after the works. Parameters Monitoring before the beginning of works requires knowledge of the state of reference and includes a larger number of parameters, ( type of habitat, type of stands, with an inventory of trees in the area affected, consistency of stands, species richness, coverage of vegetation, the colonization of vegetation, ratio between hydrophytes and mesophytes, number of invasive species, stratification); the values of these parameters will be centralized in a data base (Anuja Parikn & Nathan Gale, 1998)

Methodology Type of habitat (woodland or forest, wetland, grassland) Will be established depending on the type of dominant vegetation. With the help of the ortho-photo-plans the main types of vegetation and the share of each type of vegetation will be defined. The method to be the basis for determining the sample in which measurements of the parameters which characterize land vegetation are to be made and which are an integral part of the monitoring system is the method of squares (Gheorghe, 2008). Based on this method it was established the size and number of permanent plots and squares. The squares will be delimitated in the field with metric frames (fig. 3). The type of stands, trees inventory (determining which species and the share of those trees), stand 2 consistency, crown coverage .The trees will be inventoried in permanent plots of 600 m (rectangles of 30m x 20 m), for the whole surface. The inventory will consist in identifying species of trees in the plot and the number of individuals belonging to each species. The plot can be determined by using the LGD, Vertex or ruler.

38

To assess the degree of coverage of the tree canopy, the clearing surfaces (un-shaded) with a surface greater than 1 square meter will be counted. The counting of clearings can use the metric frame (which is why we said not less than 1 square meter). The degree of coverage of the canopies gives information about the transition from an area with forest vegetation (woodland) in which coverage may be 1% (there is a single tree or 2-3 isolated trees) up to 85%, this percentage of 85% exceeded we speak of a forest. The threshold of 85% is the separation threshold between woodland and forest. Species richness The species richness will be estimated after a flora survey/mapping (relevé). The relevé will consist in the identification of all species of plants present in the testing surfaces. The flora survey will be carried out in test plot established by the quadrat method. The analysis of the herbaceous layer will be by analysis of 5 equal quadrants (sample surface) (1x1m) defined in each plot and with random distribution. In these sample areas will be identified and distributed species of hydrophytes (Alisma plantago-aquatica, Butomus umbellatus, Cicuta virosa, Iris pseudacorus, Lemna trisulca, Nymphoides peltata.Oenanthe aquatic, Phragmites australis, Salvinia natans, sagittaria sagittifolia, Typha Latifolia, t.angustifolia) meso- hydrophites (Juncus sp.,Carex sp., MENTHA LONGIFOLIA, Myosotis scorrpiodes, Ranunculus repens, Rorippa palustris, Solanum dulcamara) and mesophytes. The result of flora survey will be in a list of species and the specific richness . Species richness is expressed numerically, so it will be a natural number. We can say that in the first step we have identified a 78-taxons, in step 2 there are 45- taxa and then every year in mid-season vegetation we will have other values which theoretically would increase, will register a limit number and then an easy decline. The decline will be due to the elimination from the vegetation communities of weeds induced by anthropic activities and which disappear with the completion of these activities. For the determination of specific richness it is necessary to make up the species list. The lists of species in different moments can be compared with the MVSP and this will underline the modifications that appear and if these changes are significant or not. For the delimitation of the quadrat in the quadratic frame (metric frame), will be used (fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Metric (quadrat)

frame

Vegetation coverage The coverage degree will be established for each quadrant. The coverage degree will be assessed as the ratio of plant shaded area of quadrant and the total quadrat surface. The degree of coverage for the grassy vegetation is expressed in percentage, how much per cent of the surface of each quadrant is shady, and an average for the 5 quadrants is made, the same in which the floras 2 surveys were carried out. (Q1, Q2, Q3.Q4, Q5) of the plot of 600 m in which they are distributed randomly. For example we have Q1 with coverage of 15% (15% in the first area of 1 square meter is shaded) Q2 with 25%, Q3 with 45%, Q4 with 20% and Q5 with 30%; the degree of coverage in the plot for the grassy layer is 27% (i.e. (15 +25 +45 +20 +30) / 5. The degree of coverage will be monitored in the permanent plots and it gives information about the speed of recovery of the vegetal carpet. . The degree of colonization of the vegetation, the rate of colonization The degree of colonization with vegetation of the banks and of the islands is established by marking some permanent lines between the nude layer and the one covered with plants. The rate of colonization will be appreciated as the ratio between the newly populated surface with a coverage degree over 15% and the time interval in which such extension took place. The rate of colonization will be monitored at the water-land interface and it will provide information about new zones appeared and their coverage rate. The number of invasive plant species Invasive species will be identified such as: Amorpha fruticosa, Fraxinus penssylvanica, Acer negundo, Solidago gigantean, Echinocystis lobata, Conyza Canadensis, Erigeron annuus, Xanthium italicum, S.spinosum, etc) and their proportion in relation to the local species wil be calculated.

39

The significance of each parameter, threshold values (see Table 8) In the set of parameters proposed for the monitoring of the vegetation there are two types of indices. Some of them were selected to capture the changes induced by carrying out the constructions with a role in improving the navigation conditions (such as bank protections, the guiding wall, bottom sills)*, others were selected in order to monitor the speed of recovery of the areas where land clearing and tree cutting were made (where the vegetation carpet was disturbed) there have been cleaning and clearing (where the carpet was a plant) during the arrangement works**. Table 8 Indicators / threshold values for vegetation monitoring Nr. Parameter Measuring method Parameter significance crt 1 Type of habitat* Observations of the Indicates if irreversible (complex index) vegetation and of the major changes appeared dominant plant species 2 Type of the stand** The system of Indicates if it is a more (complex index) classification of forest dynamic vegetation, or a types slower evolution in time; Indicates the stability/ vulnerability 3 The composition of The inventory of the Indicates the equity the stand** species 4 The consistency of The ratio between the Indicates if the density is the stand** number of trees and optimum, if trees were the occupied surface taken out 5 The coverage The proportion of Indicates if that area is degree of the shade due to canopy forest or woodland canopy* projection on the land 6 Species richness* Flora survey and Indicates if reversible inventory of present modifications appear in species the vegetal communities 7 Degree of coverage Proportion shaded by Together with the medium by grassy grassy plants high of the vegetation vegetation* indicates the heterogeneity of vegetation 8 Colonization degree Marking by Indicates the oldness of of vegetation ** permanent strips vegetation carpet 9 Ratio between Analysis the flora Indicates the oscillation of hydrophytes and increase hydrologic level mesophytes* 10 Speed of Ratio between the Indicates the capacity of colonization** length of newly expansion of the colonized area and vegetation the time interval of the colonization 11 Number of invasive Analysis of flora Indicates the vulnerability vegetal species survey of the vegetal communities; the larger the number of invasive species, the more vulnerable the vegetal community

Threshold values A layer of the vertical structure of the vegetation or changes of the average heights in case of the monolayer vegetation Only one class of diameters or several (equien / plurien) Only one or more species of trees (mono-specific/mixed) =1 monospecific , equien forest > 0,8 indicates a bush area where no cutting was made >85% forest 1m long in the progress line per year

Appearance of at least 3 invasive species

It is composed of two types of elements: • Common for the whole sector Călăraşi-Brăila, • Typical for each critical point. For the monitoring of the flora and fauna the following are necessary Table 8 a Section Equipment Consumables

Number experts

of

No expert

Hours/

40

aquatic flora monitoring Land flora monitoring

and and

fauna

Ekman Dredger

fauna

Metric frame

Marking band, paint for tree marking

1

240

1

750

I.1.4.3.Monitoring of the macro invertebrates aquatic fauna The use of changes in community structure to monitor pollution commonly involves benthic invertebrates and this group is considered the most appropriate biotic indicators of water quality in EU countries (Metcalfe 1989). So there are biotic indices based on the tolerance of benthic macro invertebrates or other organisms to low oxygen conditions and the effects of organic pollution on community structure. The application though of biotic indices combined with measurements of physical and chemical parameters provide more integrated results concerning chemical and physical water pollution. The biological sampling procedures chosen for this water-quality monitoring guide concentrate on macroinvertebrates, as the main way to indirectly assess the feeding places of sturgeons. Macro-invertebrates, as it is mentioned above, are useful indicators of stream health because: they occupy a central role in the food chains of aquatic systems; many live in the water for over a year; they cannot easily escape pollution (as some fish can); and they are sensitive to even quite mild pollutants or changes in water quality. They are also relatively easy and inexpensive to sample. Use an invertebrate field key guideline or an identification chart to identify the organisms. Most simple field charts identify only major taxa or groups (classes, orders, families), not species. There are thousands of species and most are difficult to identify. “Taxon” (plural “Taxa”) is a general term referring to identifiable groups like species, genera, families, orders, or classes. Two different looking organisms usually are different taxa, although sometimes they are two life stages (e.g., larva, pupa) of the same species. Within each broad taxonomic group, distinguish as many kinds of organisms as possible, based on appearance. For example, there may be a few obvious types of caddisflies in a sample. Use a hand lens (10X magnification) or magnifying glass to examine small organisms and try to arrive at a family level using specified keys for the class.Many Danube invertebrates are aquatic stages in the life cycles of insects. The mosquito, for example, spends a great deal of its life in water. People may often not associate the aquatic stages, nymphs and larvae, with the flying, non-aquatic adults. The biotic indices are necessary instruments for the integrated water quality monitoring. a) The biotic index RMWP (Romanian Biomonitoring working Protocol) involves more taxonomic categories of aquatic macroinvertebrates. The preliminary form of the Romanian used evaluation system is a “score” modified according to the BMWP of Great Britain and Spain but we will call it RMWP (Romanian Biomonitoring working party). This contains more families than the other European families. The values or as we say the scores of sensitivity of these new families were reappraised. So, all the families are accredited a value. The sum of the values of the families is the Romanian biotic score. We also calculate the average biotic score (score/No of taxa) and we call it RBMWP’ Relative abundance is taken into consideration. The value of each family changes according to each relative abundance in the sample. The taxa are characterized as present, common or abundant. Seasonal effect on benthic macro invertebrates is also taken into consideration since samplings are taken every season or if not possible one sample at the end of spring Habitat influence is also considered in the biotic score following the methodology of Lincoln Index, which takes into account whether the sampling site consists of many different microhabitats (rich) or not (poor). The final evaluation depends on this categorization. b) River Habitat Survey At the main three critical sites (01, 02 and 10) an evaluation of the habitats have to take place, using the River Habitat Survey field method, or RHS (Environment Agency UK, 1997). The RHS field method is a guidelines of a systematic collection of data associated with the physical structure of watercourses based on a standard 500 m length of a river channel. Finally, cross-section measurements of water,bank height and water depth is to be made at one representative location. For each site the Habitat Quality Assessment (HQA) a score is evaluated. This score is based on the presence and extent of habitat features of known wildlife value recorded during the survey. At the same time the Habitat Modification Score (HMS) is to be also calculated (Table 8 bis). This score expresses the extent of artificial modification to the physical structure of the channel. Afterwards the sites shall be categorized according to the 6 HMS categories used in the UK (Raven et al., 1998). Table 8 bis – Habitat Modification Score 0 UNMODIFIED 1 – 2 SEMI-NATURAL

41

3 - 8 MAINLY NOT MODIFIED 9 – 20 OBVIOUSLY 21 – 44 SERIOUSLY 45 or more EXTREMELY MODIFIED As regards the monitoring procedures for the benthonic macro-invertebrates, these will be applied in accordance with “Standardization of River Classifications-Framework method for calibrating different biological survey results against ecological quality classifications to be developed for the Water Framework Directive”. The testing method for the estimation of the richness of the species: “RIVPACS Macro-invertebrate Sampling Protocol” - from the Water Framework Directive to which is added the Romanian monitoring system for flowing waters quality. The sampling methodology can be find in SR EN ISO 8689-1 / 2003, ASRO – Water quality – Biological classification of rivers. Part.1: Guidance on the interpretation of biological quality data surveys of benthic macroinvertebrates - pag.5 and in: SR EN ISO 9391 / 2000 Sampling in deep waters for macro-invertebrates. Guidance on the use of colonization, qalitative and quantitative samplers

c) The connectivity degree of the water habitats The length of the river bank line is an indicator of the degree of lateral connectivity. The longer the river bank line is, the greater the functional interaction between water and land. In natural watercourses, river bank line length may be as high as 25 km per river-kilometer, and the availability of aquatic habitats remains relatively constant in time despite major water level fluctuations. In channelized sections, however, river bank line length is reduced to a minimum of 2 km per river-kilometer. Used as an indicator, river bank line length also offers the advantages that it can be investigated in Danube River, and that it is highly sensitive to changes in both hydrology and morphology. In addition, river bank line length has been shown to be positively correlated with the diversity of juvenile fish species, or with the number of breeding pairs of water-logged birds. (Tockner K., 2006)

I.1.4.4.Monitoring of the ichtyofauna According to the existing studies the findings related to the sturgeons’ monitoring are: • Obvious decline of the populations, resulting from fishing data • Impact of some hydrotechnical works situated far upstream from the investigated areas; • Overfishing, including poaching; • Lack of recent data regarding the repartition of species on the Danube course, preferred feeding and reproduction places, lack of populational studies (structure of population, rate of reproduction, growth rate) • Fragmenting of reproduction habitats • Lack of a reference system for the project affected zones; this system must be created as a component of the monitoring programme. Because of the large project area a detailed habitat survey cannot be conducted. Nevertheless, for the understanding of habitat-change induced responses of the fish community, a rough-scale habitat mapping must be done annually to cover at least essential fish habitats. These are e.g. shallow banks (juvenile stages), slow flowing or stagnant areas (juvenile stages), deep pools (winter habitat), riparian or submerse vegetation (spawning habitat, juvenile stages). Therefore, on a large grid (e.g. 50-100 m accuracy), the following parameters have to be mapped using GPS data and transferred to GIS software. 1) flow velocity (0 m/s, 1m/s) 2) water depth (5 m) 3) vegetation (submersed macrophytes, reeds or grassy bank vegetation, woody bank vegetation) 4) substrate (mud, sand, gravel, rock) Thus a rough habitat balance needs to be calculated and changes over the years need to be documented. This information will also be essential if, at a later stage, adaptations to the construction works are required.

The monitoring must take into consideration a possible tendency of recovery of the populations of sturgeons (or at least of some of them) due to the total prohibition of fishing them for a period of 10 years until 2016 (according to Order 262/2006 regarding the Conservation of sturgeon populations in natural waters and development of aquaculture in Romania, published in the Official Gazette no. 385 of 4 May 2006) as well as the possible positive effects of the project:

42

-modifications of the underlayer, from fine sediments to coarse sediments -creation of artificial underlayers favorable for the installation of reophilous fauna which represents the food for the sturgeons Table 9 Periods for sturgeon migration monitoring Species Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Danube sturgeon Russian sturgeon

Acipenser ruthenus Sterlet Acipenser stellatus Starry sturgeon

Monitoring period February-May with a maximum in April, (for individuals reproducing during the migration year)

August-November, with a maximum in October (for individuals reproducing during the next year) April-May

March- April (for individuals reproducing the same year in April - May)

Habitat Reproduction habitat: holes 8-20 m deep, with clay, gravel or sand bottom, safe from mudding

Remarks The reproduction habitat first of all

the feeding and wintering habitat are prioritaire

4-5 m deep, in current areas, gravel or stones

It migrates upstream

Holes 8-10 m deep, clay, gravel or sand bottom, safe from mudding.

Reproduction places are actually upstream of Harsova!

6-20 m deep., bottom, crevices

Migration way is a priority

Summer-winter season (for individuals wintering in the Danube and reproducing the next year, in April-May) Huso huso Beluga

February-May, with a maximum in April (for individuals reproducing during the migration year)

stony

August-December, with a maximum in October (for individuals wintering in the Danube and reproducing the next year)

Two periods per year are important and have to be monitored: • February – May (with special attention for April) • October Necessary monitoring techniques: For each location of an agglomeration / concentration of individuals the following parameters are measured: • Current speed, at mid-depth and at 15 cm above bottom (bottom speed) ; channel width and river bed profile with the current-meter Marsh-McBirney model 201 TM • channel width measured with Bushnell Lytespeed 400 rangefinder • depth profile recorded with a Garmin GPSMAP 168 sounder It is necessary to appreciate the characteristics of the under layer using an Eckman dredge in order to estimate the texture: • soft, fine, smooth texture (sand, mud) • rough texture (gravel, pebbles) – favorable for egg spawning • hard, smooth texture (stone, blocks) – favorable for egg spawning and for the formation of invertebrates agglomerations The data obtained from the hydrologic parameters monitoring must be correlated by the monitoring team with the estimation of potential reproduction habitats – areas with gravel, pebbles, clay holes.

43

For obtaining the individuals to be used in the telemetry system the following must be assured: Adult individuals capturing techniques – scientific fishing approved on the basis of a working program. The captured individuals must be correlated with the underlayer characteristics in the capturing perimeter. For the evaluation of fish stock - Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methodes – pag 16-17 (ASRO Romanian Standard, SR EN ISO 14962 from October din octombrie 2006) (table 10) The analyzed Danube sector it to be registered with the V rivers category, of a width larger then 100 m and a depth bigger then 2 m. Table 10 Fishing Sampling methods in different habitats of river cat. 5 Sampling method

Electrofishing by wading Electrofishing from a a boat

Beach seine

Littoral habitat

Middle, water

mid-

Electrofishing H H H H H H Seines M M M

C A S C A S C A S C A S

Normal seine

Middle, bottom

L M L Trawls and push net

Bottom trawl

C A S C A S

Push net

Bottom gill net

b

Vertical gill net

b

Drift net

Trammel net

b

Anchor net from a bank Anchor net from a vessel

H H H L L L Gill nets and trammel net M M M M M M

C A S C A S C A S C A S

L L L M M M M M M M L L

M M L Anchor nets

C A S C A S

H H H H H H

H H H H H H

Traps Basket

b

C

L

L

44

Fyke net

b

Trap net

b

Instream trap

Longline

Hook and line

Hydroacoustics

Videorecording

Fish counter

c

A S C A S C A S C A S C A S C A S C A S C A S C A S

L L

L L M M L M M L H H M L

L L L H L H H M H

C species composition; A abundance; S age structure; H method of high suitability; M medium suitability; L low suitability. a only in areas to a max. water depth of 2 m b only in areas with low current or in backwaters c the suitability level may be changed to M if a binding and qualified fishery statistics is used

The Sturgeons are caught with a special gill drift net for sturgeons. These are nets with big wholes, in which the sturgeons enter their heads, and cannot come out of. In principle, there are nets of big length, of about some hundreds meters, and of 2,5 m width, and which are sustained by a flowings and weights system, very close to the bottom of the waters, since, as it seams, sturgeons swim at 4-5 m to 16-17 m depths. One end goes in drift, being caught to a floating hip of hay, which leads towards the center of the river, and to the other end by a boat. This way there are caught the sturgeons who go up-stream. Alluvia collection: system of two cone nets, one on the surface (0,5 sqm, net eye 500 µm) and another kept at 5-10 cm above the bottom (1,5 sqm, net eyes 1200 µm); temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity are measured simultaneously on surface and at the bottom. Migration along the river must be surveyed by telemetric systems for a period of 72 months. Offspring migration: in the first stages, after the spring eclosures, they migrate upstream for feeding (very important is the water temperature) while in summertime they migrate downstream. Boats for the river are necessary as well as sturgeon capturing and marking equipment telemetry equipment. In order to obtain the data are recommended high performance telemetry equipment such as: Telemetry System with the following characteristics • Wireless transmitter attached to the basis of the back fin of adults individuals and in front of this fin for the underage individuals • Mobile receiver with two hydrophones • Automatic receivers with datalogger • Wireless hydrophones • Transmitters

45

The telemetric research must take into account two working hypotheses: • the fish – adults as well as juvenile - are actively searching for the patch of favorable habitats (preference for habitat and a certain source of food, preference for a certain depth) • the fish moves at random – null hypothesis It is necessary a program of migration routes simulation and comparison with the data obtained by telemetry. Hypotheses verification is made by statistic processing of the data obtained. Turbidity measuring is also very important, both for reproducing adults and for young fish. The eggs are negatively influenced by a higher turbidity in time, but the youngsters are favored, being more difficult to locate by the predators. Sectors/points proposed for sturgeon monitoring

Telemetry station 4

Telemetry station 2 Telemetry station 3

Bottom sill at Bala branch

Submersible guiding wall at Epurasu arm

Telemetry station 4 Bottom sill at Bala arm

Telemetry station 2

Bottom sill at Calea arm

Telemetry station 1

Telemetry station 3

Submersible guiding wall at Epurasu arm

Telemetry station 5

The monitoring of fish migration will focus on the Bala branch for several reasons: (1) catch data from professional fisherman show that at least Acipenser gueldenstaedti and Huso huso were primarily caught in the Bala – Borcea arm and thus this is their main migration route, (2) independent of the importance and size of this part of the population, their survival and recruitment success is essential for the protection and restoration of the entire Danube sturgeon populations, (3) migration that happens in the Old Danube branch exclusively will not be affected negatively by the planned construction works. The fish community of two affected side arms has to be monitored for changes in species and age-class distribution that are related to the alterations of the flow regime (e.g. water temperature increase, flow velocity

46

decrease, changes in aquatic plant communities). In order to get sufficient information on the fish community different complementary methods must be used and fish stock assessment must be done at different seasons. Parallel habitat mapping is essential for documentation of available habitats and thus distinguish between alterations caused by the construction buildings and other unrelated changes.

In order to be able to draw statistical conclusions, it should be targeted to catch 50 sturgeons. The catch needs to be representative (i.e. sufficient beluga sturgeon species, sufficient big size (>2 m)). The catch of at least 50 individuals would lead to 30 specimens delivering data, a minimum for statistical significance. Besides sturgeon tracking, barbel also needs to be tracked with the same frequency and for the same period. Barbel should also be targeted to catch and tag about 50 representative individuals. Barbel will be anaesthetised with 2-phenoxy-ethanol (0.4 mll-1) and surgically tagged with radio transmitters, through an incision opened in between the pelvic girdle and the papilla. The incision will be closed with separate stitches made of Vicryl, which absorbs within 6 months. At least 30 fish will be anaesthetized. After surgery, fish recovered and re-acclimatiseed in an in-river holding cage upstream of the structures for 12 hours before being released at approximately 10pm. Radio transmitters (ATS Inc., 40 MHz) need to be equipped with coil antennae, to minimize the risks of drag, entanglement or pathological outbreak after the barbel had healed Radio frequencies recommended : spaced 10 kHz apart, to minimize risks of interference between transmitters, and to permit straightforward manual scanning with a simple receiver. Each transmitter will equipped with an activity tilt, which shifted the tag's pulse rate from 40 to 80 pulses per minute, thereby allowing identification of active and inactive fish. Fish will be released in calm places approximately 20 m downstream the capture site.

As it is not possible to assess the entire fish stock in large rivers or even parts of them, representative samples must be taken to evaluate changes in species and guild composition or age structure of populations. Thus the majority of more than 50 potentially occurring fish species needs to be documented by different methods and during different seasons. Experience from a recent expedition, the ICPDR Joint Danube Survey, showed that fish sampling especially in large lowland rivers is time consuming and only effective when different sampling methods are combined. On the other hand, the currently available data shows the feasibility of catching sturgeons in significant quantities. It is recommended to explore the possible synergies with ongoing work in the region, e.g. done by NAFA or other projects. In addition to fish sampling, a habitat survey on a rough scale (e.g. 50-100 m segments) is essential for documenting the available habitat. Coded acoustic transmitters must be used to be detected under the local environmental conditions – radio transmitters will not be detected. The lifetime of transmitters (battery) must be at least 9 months for barbel and 36 months for sturgeons (as sturgeons may not return each year to the original place). Detection distance of coded signals from transmitters must be at least 1 km radius. If lifetime of transmitters of 36 months is a difficultie, it could be considered to decrease the signal frequency, but this is not the preferred option. Argumentation: the project may induce modifications of the populations of sturgeons, directly, acting as a barrier, and indirectly, by affecting their feeding and reproduction habitats. The monitoring must be organized on the whole sector between Calarasi and Braila. The fixed receivers (hydrophones) recording the signals of the marked must be located in the following points: • upstream and downstream of Calarasi • upstream and downstream of Bala • upstream of Caleia • downstream of Braila • on Borcea Branch The following monitoring activities are necessary: o o

o o o o

establishing 5 survey points  5 fixed receivers + hydrophones realization of 10 profiles in each of the critical points Bala and Caleia, 3 times in the interval of project implementation  total 30 profiles of 3 stations each for the evaluation of the structure of the sediments and of the fauna agglomerations Measuring of surface/bottom current speed, in the periods February-May and October, every week Experimental fishing for the capturing of sturgeons and attachment of signaling devices : minimum 50 devices to ensure the relevance of the observancy Experimental fishing for the quantitative estimation of the offsprings Location of fixed hydrophones

Capturing/re-capturing of the sturgeons + estimation of intestinal contents are necessary:

47

• • • •

in 5 sectors, two seasons/year for 6 years 4 boats per sector prelevation of intestinal contents – a sufficient number of individuals for the relevance of the study in the actual conditions lab processing and taxa identification – a sufficient number of samples from the entire intestinal content

Benthos sampling and lab processing of the biological material is necessary. The results will permit to asses the quality of river bed concerning the feeding conditions for sturgeons. So, the feeding habitats are to be identified, at least one time per year. Prelevation of 90 samples of benthos – water trip, 30 profiles x 3 samples in 3 trips 90 benthos samples x 1 day processing (screening, identification of taxonomic groups) Installation, monitoring and maintenance of recording equipment are necessary. 5 survey points – 5 fixed receivers x 90 days monitoring Maintenance 5 fixed receivers x 90 days Recording and maintenance costs are necessary Necessary Experts: 2 experts + 2 technician for the capturing, marking and survey by telemetry of the sturgeons individuals and barbel individuals, with specialization in the field of ichtyology/fishbreeding; 1 biologist specialized in the study of running waters benthos + 1 technician for the maneuvering of the collecting equipment; at least 4 professional fishermen As the catching involves health risks for the fish species, there should at least be one of the experts, or an external supervisor, who has been involved in catching and successfully tagging before. Table 11. Necessary equipement for sturgeon monitoring Equipment Remarks Transmitter For a sufficient number of individuals, externally attached to the dorsal fin Directional hydrophone Must be permanently monitored, requires monitoring personnel Cable hydrophone Coupled to a river bank receiver 10 pieces, reduced personnel but supplementary transmission costs Wireless hydrophone Cost transmission For a sufficient number of individuals of sturgeons

Additional equipment (antenna, floats, cables, converter, guiding system, remote control, batteries, anchor) Automatic receiver with datalogger

5 pieces

Other fish species for monitoring: Alosa tanaica, Alosa pontica (Alosa immaculata), Gobio albipinnatus, Gobio kessleri, Rhodeus sericeus amarus, Misgurnus fossilis, Gymnocephalus schraetzer, Gymnocephalus baloni, Cobitis taenia, Pelecus cultratus, Zingel zingel, Zingel streber. Also, Barbus barbus (barbel) have to be targeted to catch and tag about 50 representative individuals.

For the other mentioned species the recommended periods for yearly monitoring are: Alosa tanaica april-may Alosa pontica (Alosa immaculata) april-may Gobio albipinnatus July-September Gobio kessleri July-September Rhodeus sericeus amarus July-September Misgurnus fossilis July-September Gymnocephalus schraetzer July-September Gymnocephalus baloni July-September Cobitis taenia July-September Pelecus cultratus July-September Zingel zingel July-September Zingel streber July-September Aspius aspius July-September

48

Fishing Sampling methods (other than sturgeons) in different habitats of river Sampling method

Electrofishing by wading Electrofishing from a a boat

Bottom trawl

Push net

Littoral habitat

C A S C A S C A S C A S

Middle, bottom

Middle, water

mid-

Electrofishing H H H H H H Trawls and push net H H H L L L

L L L

For Alosa species have to be used official data from industrial fishing. The fish (other than sturgeons) samples will be obtained from the following locations: • • • • •

upstream and downstream of Calarasi upstream and downstream of Bala upstream of Caleia downstream of Braila on Borcea Branch

I.1.4.5.Monitoring of the bird fauna Parameters The bird monitoring programme is carried out for the water and land ecosystems depending on the ecological requirements of the present species of birds. The collected data express: estimation of populations and distribution of water and terrestrial species during nesting period, spring and autumn migrations and winter agglomerations, species distribution depending on the noise level and on the disturbance created by human activities, species distribution and abundance according to the type of vegetation, the influence of natural conditions (river level) on the success of nesting for water birds Methodology In order to observe the modifications generated by the activities proposed by the project and the variations of the natural populations, it is necessary to make observations in parallel in the directly affected areas (works carried out) or indirectly affected areas (noise, pollutants) but also in a witness area where the effects of the activities of the project are absent and where can be measured the variations determined by natural conditions. Taking into consideration the morphological characteristics of the islands and their covering with vegetation, the monitoring activity shall use two methods: counting points and night surveys. Point Counting Squares with the side of 200 m shall be selected so that one side (2 points) is placed on the bank edge and the other (2 points) inside (Fig. 4). Between counting points (PN) a distance of 200 m shall be kept. If the chosen station is in a high density vegetation area, one should choose the nearest possible point to the standard one of 200 m.

49

Fig.4 Points counting scheme for Birds The observation period shall include 3 periods in one year. The first period: in Spring (April – June) covering the migration and nesting season. The Autumn migration is in September – October. In order to observe the wintering species the counting shall be made in January, when at European level the water species are counted. The observations in all the points of a square must be made in the same day. Arrived at the counting point, the ornithologist specialist shall wait quietly for 3 minutes before starting the recording of the birds which will last for 10 minutes in one point (Fig.5, Table 12). The observations may start 15 minutes after sunrise and they shall stop after abt. 4- 5 hours after sunrise. Depending on the necessary time for going to the next square , most probably only two squares can be covered in one day. The visiting order for the points situated on the sides of the squares depends on the choice of the observer. During Spring (April – June) 2 visits must be made and no less than 3 weeks in between visits. During autumn, as the composition of the species may change quickly, another 2 visits are necessary. In autumn the period of observations may be increased as it is no longer excessively hot and the birds are still active. In unfavorable weather conditions, rain, fog, wind, over 20 km/h the observations must stop. Besides the seen or heard species, another information to be collected regards the distance between the observer and the seen or heard bird. In the data filling in form the distance is given in several categories in order to facilitate estimations. By recording the distances, the density of birds can be estimated. Other data that are collected refer to the cloud covering, wind speed, starting time and end time for the observations. Other species than birds, such as mammals or amphibians, seen or heard must be recorded. The birds flying over the observation area must be recorded separately. Also birds seen or heard during the trip between the observation points shall be also recorded. In this case the distances cannot be recorded and no density estimations can be made.

25

Fig.5. Birds observing and recording area

50 m 75 m 100 50

Fig.5

Table 12. Bird (& other vocal animal) point count data: DATE:__________ OBS:__________ LOCATION:______________ pg___of___ VISIT :____ Start time:____ End time:____ Start Temp (C):_____ End Temp (C):____ %clouds:_____ Rain:_____ Wind spd:_____ Noise:_________________________ Other disturbance:_________________________ Comments:_____________________________ Remember to record species other than birds which you observe. Stat.=point count station number. Time= time. 0-25 (etc.)=distance codes in meters, FO=flyover. If the detected individual is a singing male, indicate this under ‘comment’.

Species

0 -10 min

Time hour

min

0-25 m

25-50 m

50-75 m

Comment 75-100 m

> 100 m

FO

Date data entered:_________Corresponding record___________Date checked:___________Checked by:______

Nocturnal surveys An area larger than that of the square shall be used for these recordings and a few tens up to 100 ha may include a test surface. In the chosen area, the test points shall be selected by means of the orto-photo-plans. For day time these spot must be marked by light-reflecting band. In each test surface, 3 to 5 test points must be selected. For safety reasons, for the night recordings, the expert must be accompanied by an assistant. Recordings should be made 2 times per season except for winter time. Night recordings must start 30 minutes after sunset and they should end at midnight. The specialized literature considers that best results are obtained during full moon nights. The way of using the CD in order to call the species is to start with the smaller species, ending with the larger ones. The calling song shall be amplified by a megaphone so that the song has 100 – 110 dB at 1 m in front of the expert holding the speaker or the megaphone. Before starting the bird calling it is necessary to keep 3 minutes of silence during which all songs shall be noted down. Then, each call is launched 3 times with 30 seconds of silence in between. One of the 2 observers can go in silence to a distance of 50 m in order to increase detectability. Both observers shall look for the birds and shall listen to their calls.(table 13) After finishing all calls, the observers shall observe and listen for 5 minutes using a 1,000,000 candle watt spotlight to search for other possible birds. List of necessary equipment for the bird fauna monitoring Day point count surveys: Binoculars; Small tape recorder and blank tapes (to record unrecognized bird calls); Stopwatch; Range finder (if observer needs assistance in determining distance); Standard field backpack with clipboard, datasheets, pencils, notebook, and field guides. Bird call tapes to leave in truck for ID help; Photo camera; GPS; Mobile phone; First aid kit; Tent. Nocturnal calling surveys: Correct calling tape or CD for that area ; Tape or CD player; Megaphone; Batteries; Headlamps; Compass; Topographic maps; Aerial photos (leave in truck); 1,000,000 candle watt spotlight; Flagging (reflective); Stopwatch; Standard field backpack with clipboard, datasheets, pencils, notebook, and field guides; Photo camera; GPS; Mobile phone; First aid kit Other additional data to be collected: when nests are found, the position must be established with a GPS and photos must be made. Table 13. Nocturnal bird broadcast calling survey: DATE:__________ OBS:__________ LOCATION:_______________________ pg___of___ VISIT:____ Start time:____ End time:____ Start Temp (C):_____ End Temp (C):_____ %clouds:_____ Rain:_____ Wind spd:_____ Noise:_________________________ Other disturbance:_________________________ Comments:_____________________________ Call station (from map)

Species

Number

Sex

Time of detection

Place tape

on

calling Comments

51

Safety conditions As the trip on the islands shall be made with a motor boat, transport must be assured. As day and night observations are to be made, except for winter periods, the tent will be installed on the islands, camping equipment being necessary. So, as the observations are made in conditions of relative isolation, a team consisting of an expert ornithologist and an ornithologist is necessary all through the period of observations Implementation of the monitoring system: Equipment: Day point count surveys; Nocturnal calling surveys Transport: car for transport + fuel; boat for transport + fuel Season

Spring

No. Days/ trip No trips Total days

Autumn

Winter

Total

13

13

13

2

2

1

5

26

26

13

65

Necessary experts: • •

Ornithologist Expert Accommodation: in bad weather conditions

I.1.5.Specialists required and the monitoring activities For the implementation of the monitoring programme with all its components the participation of the following minimum specialists and conditions are required: Required fields: a) Biodiversity - flora and fauna aquatic and terrestrial monitoring; b) Hydraulic Engineering – hydraulics, sediment transport, suspended sediment and bedload transport, morphological changes, flow, flow velocity. c) Chemistry - monitoring soil quality, water quality, air quality d) Ecology - interpretation of environmental impact Technical staff for laboratory and various auxiliary activities is necessary and will be ensured by the provider. Noise monitoring activity is included in minimum activities undertaken by the provider and will be done by technical staff of the provider. Required experts: - One project manager Biodiversity/Ecology - 10 experts - in evaluation / monitoring of environmental factors in biodiversity (flora, fauna aquatic and terrestrial) • One expert – in evaluation phytoplankton and aquatic macrophytes • One expert – in evaluating zooplankton • One expert – in evaluation terrestrial flora and vegetation • One expert – in evaluation terrestrial invertebrates (including soil fauna) • One expert – in evaluation aquatic macroinvertebrates • On expert ornithologist • Two experts ichthyologists – experience in catching and tagging fish specimens -Two ecologists • One ecologist with experience in evaluating Natura 2000 sites • One ecologist with experience in interpretation of environmental impact

52

At least two of the proposed experts must demonstrate experience in at least one project dealing with aspects of protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. Hydraulic Engineering - Two experts - in evaluation / monitoring of hydrological, hydraulic and sedimentological factors Chemistry - Two experts - in evaluation / monitoring water quality of environmental factors, air, soil Numerical modeling - one expert with experience in 3D systems Minimum requirements (education, skills, experience of required experts) Minimum requirements to be met are: Project manager Education and skills: High education - university graduated with degree; Postgraduate - master, doctorate or other specializations General professional experience: at least 15 years professional experience in project evaluation/monitoring of the impact on the environment and/or field research; Specific professional experience: experience as project manager in at least two projects.

Eight experts - in evaluation/monitoring environmental factor biodiversity (flora and fauna aquatic and terrestrial) + two ecologists Education and skills: High education - university graduated with degree in biology or in other similar areas; General professional experience: at least ten years professional experience in research/evaluation of biodiversity; Specific professional experience: experience in the elaboration or implementation of at least one program evaluation/monitoring of project impact on biodiversity of the works. Two experts - in evaluation/monitoring of hydrological, hydraulic and sedimentological factors Education and skills: high education - university graduated with degree in hydrology, hydraulics, sedimentology, or in other similar fields; General professional experience: at least ten years professional experience in assessing hydrological/hydrogeological factors Specific professional experience: experience in the elaboration or implementation of at least one programme/study/project evaluation/monitoring of the impact of the works project on hydrological/hydrogeological factors. One expert - in evaluation/monitoring quality of environmental factors water and soil Education and skills: high education - university graduated with egree in chemistry or in other similar areas; General professional experience: at least ten years working experience in water and soil evaluation/monitoring;

53

Specific professional experience: experience in the design or implementation of at least one program/study/project evaluation/monitoring of the impact of the works project on water and soil. One expert - in evaluation/monitoring of air quality Education and skills: Higher education - university graduated with degree in chemistry or in other similar areas; General professional experience: at least five years professional experience in air evaluation/monitoring; Specific professional experience: experience in the design or implementation of at least one program/studyproject evaluation/monitoring of the impact of the works project on air, One expert - EIA , specialized in interpreting monitoring results – responsible for compilation and reporting the results of monitoring Education and skills: high education - university graduated with degree in ecology, biology or similar fields General professional experience: at least fifteen years professional experience in preparing environmental studies and/or research in environmental protection Specific professional experience: experience in the design or implementation of at least one program/study/project evaluation/monitoring of the impact of the works project on the environment. One expert in numerical modeling Education and skills: experience in 3D systems

LANGUAGE to be used The working language will be Romanian and the issued documents and reports (i.e. detailing monitoring activity on NATURA 2000 sites and other monitoring activities) will be developed both in Romanian and English.

I.1.6 Establishing a baseline A baseline to assess the results of monitoring should be elaborated in three phases: 1. A first baseline should be established on the basis of existing available data before the monitoring works start. This includes data from the: Danube Delta Institute in Tulcea Galati institute NAFA data Bestcombat data Possible other data Own data (e.g. from the water authorities) 2. Information from the autumn migration season should then be added to the baseline before the end of the year 3. Information from the spring migration seasons should then be added the baseline by June 2011. Any data that becomes available until spring 2011 needs to be involved as well. This could include data from restocking activities, data from fishing activities, data from the WFD monitoring programme or any other data sources. The baseline needs to include information about the population of sturgeon and about the migration routes, and it should include abiotic parameters (discharge, water levels, substrate). Regarding the available data provided by e.g. NAFA, more details need to be included about the location of the catches and the fishing intensity used for acquiring this data. Estimates of overall population upstream of the project area, in the main Danube, in the Borcea branch and downstream from the project area, need to be made on this basis, and included in the baseline.

54

The baseline specifically needs to include information about the situation of sturgeons in the part upstream of Bala. For determining the baseline regarding migration routes and behaviour, there is currently almost no data. Therefore, the monitoring programme should deliver this information through extensive tagging of sturgeons and other migratory fish (e.g. barbel) in autumn 2010 and spring 2011. For determining the baseline regarding abiotic parameters, historical data should be used, in addition to the one collected by the monitoring programme. This should already be done in the first draft of the baseline before the starts of the monitoring works. Although levelling of the bottom and installing faggot mattresses in the area of the sill will take place in autumn, it should still be possible to include the spring 2011 migration data in the baseline. If it appears that the above mentioned preparatory works have some impacts, this should be accounted for in the baseline. The baseline will involve major uncertainties, but given the existing data on sturgeon population the basic assumption should be that there is currently significant migration of sturgeon species in the Danube.

I.1.7 Integrated analysis and evaluation of monitoring results The experts who are mentioned under I.1.5 should regularly meet to exchange experiences in the monitoring campaign, but more importantly, to share and discuss the intermediate results. Such coordination meeting should take place at least every 4 months. Only the combination of biotic and abiotic monitoring results allows an interdisciplinary evaluation of the project results and impacts of the measures on ecology and navigation. The monitoring results will be compared to the results of a 3D hydrodynamic model that enables the simulation of complex flow situations in relation to effects of the sill and side arms closure e.g. on fish migration and navigation. With this combination of monitoring results and modeling results, it will become more likely that the impacts can be estimated with sufficient reliability. Furthermore it becomes possible to predict future developments. A link should be made with further activities to develop a fish pass and/or other mitigation measures, and future navigation measures. The fish migration and navigation conditions have to be analysed on the basis of combining the monitoring results of flow velocity, water depth, sturgeon migration and numerical modelling data. This integrated approach allows an analysis of the duration curve of discharge and flow velocities in relation to e.g. critical flow velocities (which should be varied in a sensitivity analysis based on monitoring results) in a spatially distributed way. The spatial extent of critical areas is varying as a function of discharge and construction phase, forming the basis for integrated judgements on measure effects and consequences. The evaluation of the impacts of the works on sturgeon species cannot only be based on the results of the monitoring programme, but should also use data from any other relevant available source, for example the re-stocking programme and other available data as used for establishing the baseline. For the evaluation, a database needs to be established where all data are represented in a transparent way and with clear links between biotic and abiotic data. Precise evaluation criteria need to be laid down after a first draft baseline has been established. This should therefore be done in advance of the start of the works in autumn. Criteria should focus on sturgeon migration. Summary table – monitoring parameters MONITORING PARAMETER Air quality Noise Powders in suspension Nitrogen oxides, lead oxides, CO and CO2 Water and soil quality Water chemistry Sediment chemistry

MONITORING FREQUENCY

MONITORING AREA/POINTS

Continuous Weekly Weekly

All the ten critical points, mainly during the works

frequency of sample prelevation for the determination of chemistry, in the same location as for survey of morphological

All the ten critical points – for each point the sampling will be done also upstream and downstream

55

modifications is: From sediment (dredged material): 1 sample/month From water: 1 sample/month Hydromorphological parameters discharge

Continuous

flow velocity

periodically

suspended sediment transport

Continuous

morphodynamic processes

Continuous

All the ten critical points – for each point the sampling will be done also upstream and downstream Weekly in telemetry points during migration periods

Biodiversity Terrestrial flora and vegetation (type of habitat, type of stands, with an inventory of trees in the area affected, consistency of stands, species richness, coverage of vegetation, the colonization of vegetation, ratio between hydrophytes and mesophytes, number of invasive species, stratification) Phytoplankton and aquatic macrophytes

Aquatic macroinvertebrates; the assessment is made in correlation with ichthyofauna assessment (mainly sturgeons)

Ichthyofauna – sturgeons

In time of vegetation season Assessment before starting the works, one during the works and the third after the completion of the works Flora and vegetation have to be monitorized three years after the project 3 average samples, one prelevated before starting the works, one during the works and the third after the completion of the works 3 samples – left side, right side and middle of channel in three seasons – spring, summer, autumn, three years after the completion of the works, also

Two periods per year are important and have to be monitored: February – May (with special attention for April) and October

Ichthyofauna – other species

In spring and autumn

Bird fauna

In spring, autumn, winter

River banks The areas adjoining the bank protections and the guiding walls.

The areas adjoining the bottom sill and the bank protection.

All the ten critical points – for each point the sampling will be done also upstream and downstream A rough-scale habitat mapping must be done annually to cover at least essential habitats. These are e.g. shallow banks, slow flowing or stagnant areas, deep pools, riparian or submerse vegetation . The monitoring of fish migration will focus on the Bala branch. For all ten critical points evaluated the feeding habitats

will

be

Telemetry will be done for critical point 01 All the ten critical points – for each point the sampling will be done also upstream and downstream Turcescu Weastern Island Island Epurasu

56

II. MONITORING BY WORKING POINTS II.1. Monitoring of critical point 01, Bala Branch Area and sand sill Caragheorghe II.1.1. Before the execution of works II.1.1.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil Before the execution of the works, the following benchmark elements shall be evaluated:: For the air: o suspension powders; o nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. • For noise o Noise level for heavy naval traffic o Noise level for naval traffic zero As regards the noise, monthly measurements will be made for the evaluation of the noise level from the vicinity of the work points up to 100 meters distance and correlation of the measurements with the results of direct observations. For the observation activity, observation towers will be installed for the survey of the bird behavior. In case measurements and observations indicate significant adverse effects on the fauna, sound absorbing panels shall be mounted on the perimeter of the construction site and their efficiency shall be checked by measurements and direct observations. • For the soil o Presence or absence of lumbricides in the works area •

Two sets of measurements shall be made for the evaluation of the reference levels used for later comparisons.

II.1.1.2. Hydromorphological monitoring The monitoring shall take place mainly in the hydrotechnical arrangements area on Bala Branch, upstream, downstream and on the bottom sill, on Bala Branch and the Old Danube (Points , 2 and 4, Fig.6 ). The effect of the bottom sill on Bala Branch shall be also monitored on the Old Danube , 8 km downstream of the bottom sill of Izvoarele (Epurasu) (point 5 fig.6)

2 BALA

2

3 4 5

1 3

1

Fig.6. Flow monitoring point Bala The proposed location of the measuring points is as follows (Fig.7): • Point 1, located on the Old Danube, 2.5 km upstream of the bottom sill on Bala; • Point 2, located on Bala, on the bottom sill.

57

4

2 5 1

3

Fig.7.Flow monitoring in area Bala-Epurasu • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Point 3, located on the Danube downstream of its bifurcation with bala Branch; Point 4, located on Borcea Branch, of about 10 km downstream of point 2, downstream of confluence with Bala Branch. Point 5, located at 8 km downstream of the Bala bottom sill

Station 1 tracks fish moving downstream of release site (between station 1 and 2/3) and out of study area. Station 2 tracks fish moving up-/downstream trough upper Borcea branch and thus avoiding the bottom sill. Station 3 tracks fish in the Bala branch ultimately before they reach the bottom sill (upstream migration) or after they migrate downstream over the sill. Station 4 tracks fish that successfully pass over the sill (upstream migration) or re-enter the study-area (downstream migration) Station 5 tracks fish that either did not pass station 4 during upstream migration but turn back through the old Danube branch, or detect fish that avoid the sill on their downstream migration.

58

Additional observation points in Bala area (2, 3 and 4) are intended for the detailed study of flow distribution (flow speeds included) on Bala Branch after the construction of the bottom sill on the migration route of the sturgeons.

a) Flow monitoring Flow monitoring frequency will be: • water level and speed, automatic hydrometric stations continuously by determining functions, storage and transmission of quantitative and qualitative hydrological parameters; Flow is a global parameter reflecting most accurately the effect of hydrotechnical works in the area. From flow analyses at Silistra and Cernavoda stations, in the period 1965-1983 and use of mathematic model for the approved scenario, with supplementary flow data (INHGA Study), we expect, for an exceeding insurance of 99,91%, final mathematical model, JV technum Trapec-Tractebel): 3 3 • On Bala Branch, a flow reduction from 1649 m /sec to 1116 m /sec 3 3 • On the Old Danube, an increase from 253 m /sec to 853 m /sec The flow calculation is based on the monitored parameters (rate of flow [m/sec], water level [m] and morphology of the riparian slope in the selected sections) based on different programs depending on the observation point: • Continuous measurements in the 3 points in Bala area. • Continuous measurements, outside the area of influence of the works, over 100 m upstream and 500 m downstream in order to obtain the reference values of the flows b)Flow calculation, in the 3 established sections is made continuously based on: • Flowing sections resulting from riparian slope bottom profiling and water level • Flowing rates [m/sec] measured in each section on vertical profiles 100 m apart on the Danube and 50 m apart on Bala Branch, with measuring points on the profile with equidistance of 0.5 m.(Fig.8) 100 m 50 m 0,5 m

Fig.8. Measuring flow rate for the realization of izotach sections in the bottom sill area anf of flow calculation sections.

59

F For the accurate measurement of the speeds near the bottom, swimming zone of the sturgeons, we recommend 3D ADV (at a minimum frequency of 64 Hz) which assures the covering of the whole section with speed values of satisfactory precision. The result of flow monitoring and calculation will consist in limnimetric Keys updated for all three monitoring stages: • Before starting the works (for reference terms); • During the works execution • After works completion (3 years) 3 The flow variation range must cover values between 2000 and 12000 m /sec, minimum and maximum values with insurace of 95% for the monitored flows (INHGA study: limnimetric keys 1992-2003). In brief, for the flow monitoring: • Continuous water level measurements in the 5 sections; • Periodical flow rate measurements in the 5 sections, covering the whole range of flow as far as possible; • Cross section profiles o In points 1 and 4, once a month o In point 2 at the end of each stage of hydrotechnical arrangement provided in the project. The gained data enables the establishment of a stage-discharge rating curve, enabling to draw continous information on flow rates from the continous measurement of the water level.

c)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports Sediment transportation will be significantly modified by the execution of the hydrotechnical works: o Increased water transport power, in areas with reduced flow section, due to increased flow rate; o Reduced water transport power, in areas where flow sections are enlarged (on the Old Danube). The parameter quantifying the phenomenon is turbidity [mg/liter] which will be measured by a Hach Lange type sensor. Equipment necessary for turbidity monitoring: • Turbidity sensor with an appropriate measuring range (0.001-20 g/liter if possible (has to be checked) or 0.001-4000 FTU equipped with cleaning system and automatic data stocking system; • Sample prelevation containers with a minimum capacity of 1 liter; • System for sediment prelevation from the suspension assuring: o Isokinetic sampling (constant speed during sample prelevation); o Minimizing turbulence effects during sampling; o Assuring controlled prelevation for different depths (efficient valve system for container closing); o Prelevation/sampling at high speed and depth (sufficient weight – more than 50 kg- in order to be sunk at high flow rates); o Sample prelevation directly in the test container (in order to avoid sediment loss by decanting). The monitoring programme shall be differentiated in time depending on the measured parameters and the work stations: Turbidity measuring in selected points 1, 2 and 4 is continuous (data storage in intervals of 15 minutes); Prelevation of samples for suspension sediments used foe sensor calibration is made once a week At the beginning of the monitoring, it should be checked whether integrated or multipoint samples show a better result. Sampling in sections 1,2 and 4 is performed 5-7 times a year at high and small flows, in order to cover the variation amplitude of the flow with a probability of excedence of 95%. The quantity of sediments in suspension shall be determined by gravimetry in the lab, using vacuumated filtration through a membrane (of acetat cellulose) with a pore diameter of 0.45 micrometers.

d)Monitoring of morphological modifications Morphological modifications, resulting from sediment deposits and bank erosion, shall be monitored as flows: • Modifications of flow sections in points 1, 2 and 4 (fig.7) as well as on the sectors in between; • River banks morphology; • Water level in the sectors delimitated by the proposed works (table 14; fig.9).

60

1

2b 2a 3

Fig.9. Monitoring of morphological modifications

Table 14: Velocity and morphodynamic processes monitoring in outlined regions (see Figure 01) region 1

location whole area of abiotic monitoring

2a

bifurcation sill – main channel

2b

bifurcation main channel – side arm

3

sill

dimensions from: ~3.5km upstream of sill to: ~11km (Danube branch), 6km (side branch with sill) downstream of the sill from: 1km upstream of bifurcation to: 1km downstream of bifurcation in main channel, downstream of sill in side-arm from: 500m upstream of bifurcation to: 500m downstream of bifurcation in both channels dimensions of sill

velocity 10 cross sections uniformly distributed, 2-4x per year cross sections every 100m, 2-4x per year

morphodyn. every 100m single beam measurements, 2-4x per year multi beam measurements, 2-4x per year

cross sections every 100m, 2-4x per year

multi beam measurements, 2-4x per year

cross sections every 10m, in critical regions (where peak values) 5m-raster

multi beam measurements, 2-4x per year

The morphological modifications monitoring shall consist of: • • • •

echo sounding single beam in sectors 1, 2a and 3 (fig.9) 4 times a year (once each season); geodesic measurements for river bank morphology, 4 times a year, in the areas with obvious modifications in order to complete the land morphology; local measurements in the areas with significant modifications produced by the execution of the works (river bank line rectifications, drainage, etc.) ; water depth measurements in the areas with morphological modifications Morphological monitoring works shall consist in:

61

• •

• • •

Morpho-hydrographic monitoring by means of 3D (multibeam system) bathymetric surveys of the river bed realized in the construction sites areas, starting 5 km upstream and ending 5 km downstream. Hydro-dynamic monitoring of the river currents by realizing periodical spatial measurements on the same areas of the construction sites extended by 5 km upstream and downstream. Measurements will be performed with Doppler current-meters in order to have the complete current speed spectrum in the measuring section. Monitoring of suspension concentrations, including their granulometry, by prelavations of water samples from the same areas of the construction sites extended by 5 km upstream and downstream. Detailed knowledge of sediment quality in the works area (granulometry, mineralogic composition, chemical composition, pollution degree) and monitoring of the modifications during the works and after their finalization. Monitoring the biomass in the water body and on the river bed by prelevation of samples 5 km upstream and downstream of the fixed points.

e)Water quality The realization of the hydrotechnical works brings new elements that may change the quality of the water body: • •

fagot mattresses placed on the bottom of the Danube; stocking, over the fagot layer and on the protected banks, of two types of rocks (granite and lime rocks).

The volumes of lime and granite used for the construction works cannot modify significantly, on a long term, the characteristics of the water body. For the evaluation of the chemical modifications, a water quality monitoring will be performed, including: •

Chemical elements monitored in sediment shall be (measuring unit: mg/kg): o o

•

Heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr total, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn, Ni; Organic micro-pollutants : PAH, PCB and organochlorinated pesticides.

Chemical elements and physico-chemical ones monitored in water shall be those in table 15, according to Order no. 161 of 16/02/2006, for the approval of the Standard regarding the classification of surface waters quality in order to establish the ecological condition of the water bodies.

Table 15. Chemical and physico-chemical elements for water (ord.161/2006) ┌───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬───────────────────────────────┐ │ │ │ │ Quality class │ │Nr.│ Quality index │ U/M ├──────┬─────┬─────┬──────┬─────┤ │ │ │ │ I │ II │ III │ IV │ V │ ├───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴──────┴─────┤ │C.1. Thermal regime and acidification ├───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬───────────────────────────────┤ │ 1 │Temperature │ ▫C │No standardization ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼───────────────────────────────┤ │ 2 │pH │ │6.5 - 8.5 │ ├───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴───────────────────────────────┤ │C.2. Oxygen regime │ ├───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬──────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬──────┤ │ 1 │Dissolved oxygen │mg O2/l│ 9 │ 7 │ 5 │ 4 │ < 4│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 2 │Saturation of dissolved oxygen │ % │ │ │ │ │ │ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ │ - Epilimnion (stratified waters)│ │90-110│70-90│50-70│30-50│ < 30│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ │ - Hipolimnion (stratified waters│ │ 90-70│70-50│50-30│30-10│ < 10│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ │ - Non-stratified waters │ │ 90-70│70-50│50-30│30-10│ < 10│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤

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│ 3 │CBO5 │mg O2/l│ 3│ 5│ 7│ 20│ > 20│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 4 │CCO-Mn │mg O2/l│ 5│ 10│ 20│ 50│ > 50│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 5 │CCO-Cr │mg O2/l│ 10│ 25│ 50│ 125│ > 125│ ├───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────┤ │C.3. Nutrients │ ├───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬──────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬──────┤ │ 1 │Amonium (N-NH4+) │mg N/l │ 0.4│ 0.8│ 1,2│ 3.2│ > 3.2│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 2 │Nitrites (N-NO2) │mg N/l │ 0.01│ 0.03│ 0.06│ 0.3│ > 0.3│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 3 │Nitrates (N-NO3) │mg N/l │ 1│ 3│ 5,6│ 11,2│> 11,2│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 4 │Total nitrogen(N) │mg N/l │ 1.5│ 7│ 12│ 16│ > 16│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 5 │Soluble orthophosphates(P-PO43-) │mg P/l │ 0.1│ 0.2│ 0.4│ 0.9│ > 0.9│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 6 │Total Phosphorus (P) │mg P/l │ 0.15│ 0.4│ 0.75│ 1.2│ > 1.2│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 7 │Chlorofile "a" │ µg/l │ 25│ 50│ 100│ 250│ > 250│ ├───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────┤ │C.4. Salinity │ ├───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬──────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬──────┤ │ 1 │Conductivity │ µS/cm │ │ │ │ │ │ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 2 │Filterable residue dried at 105▫C │ mg/l │ 500│ 750│ 1000│ 1300│> 1300│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 3 │Chlorides (Cl-) │ mg/l │ 25│ 50│ 250│ 300│ > 300│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 4 │Sulphates (SO42+) │ mg/l │ 60│ 120│ 250│ 300│ > 300│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 5 │Calcium (Ca2+) │ mg/l │ 50│ 100│ 200│ 300│ > 300│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 6 │Magnesium (Mg2+) │ mg/l │ 12│ 50│ 100│ 200│ > 200│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 7 │Natrium (Na+) │ mg/l │ 25│ 50│ 100│ 200│ > 200│ ├───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────┤ │C.5. Specific toxic pollutants of natural origin │ ├───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬──────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬──────┤ │ 1 │ Total Chromium (Cr3+ + Cr6+) │ µg/l │ 25│ 50│ 100│ 250│ > 250│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 2 │Copper (Cu2+)5 │ µg/l │ 20│ 30│ 50│ 100│ > 100│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 3 │Zinc (Zn2+) │ µg/l │ 100│ 200│ 500│ 1000│> 1000│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 4 │Arsenic (As3+) │ µg/l │ 10│ 20│ 50│ 100│ > 100│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤

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│ 5 │Barium (Ba2+) │ mg/l │ 0.05│ 0.1│ 0.5│ 1│ > 1│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 6 │Selenium (Se4+) │ µg/l │ 1│ 2│ 5│ 10│ > 10│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 7 │Cobalt (Co3+) │ µg/l │ 10│ 20│ 50│ 100│ > 100│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 8 │Lead (Pb)6 │ µg/l │ 5│ 10│ 25│ 50│ > 50│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 9 │Cadmium (Cd) │ µg/l │ 0.5│ 1│ 2│ 5│ > 5│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │10 │Total iron(Fe2+ + Fe3+) │ mg/l │ 0.3│ 0.5│ 1.0│ 2│ > 2│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │11 │Mercury (Hg)6 │ µg/l │ 0.1│ 0.3│ 0.5│ 1│ > 1│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │12 │Manganese total (Mn2+ + Mn7+) │ mg/l │ 0.05│ 0.1│ 0.3│ 1│ > 1│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │13 │Nickel (Ni)5 │ µg/l │ 10│ 25│ 50│ 100│ > 100│ ├───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────┤ │C.6. Other relevant chemical indicators │ ├───┬──────────────────────────────────┬───────┬──────┬─────┬─────┬─────┬──────┤ │ 1 │Total phenols (phenolic index) │ µg/l │ 1│ 5│ 20│ 50│ > 50│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 2 │Active anionic detergents │ µg/l │ 100│ 200│ 300│ 500│ > 500│ ├───┼──────────────────────────────────┼───────┼──────┼─────┼─────┼─────┼──────┤ │ 3 │AOX │ µg/l │ 10│ 50│ 100│ 250│ > 250│ └───┴──────────────────────────────────┴───────┴──────┴─────┴─────┴─────┴──────┘

All physico-chemical and biological analyses shall be performed by a laboratory authorized by RENAR or by other authorized accreditation body, in consideration of the calibration of the equipment used for sample prelevation. (See also Order no. 1861/2008 of 12/11/2008 published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 772 of 18/11/2008 for the approval of the List of laboratories for the monitoring of drinking water quality within the official control of drinking water). The recommended frequency of sample prelevation for the determination of chemistry, in the same location as for survey of morphological modifications is: • From sediment (dredged material): 1 sample/month • From water: 1 sample/month The analysis of the characteristics is recommended to be carried out according to the national monitoring programme in force in Romania: Handbook for the modernization and development of the Integrated Monitoring System of the Waters in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no 234 bis of 15/03/2006. Insignificant modifications of the hydro-chemical characteristics of the Danube water may occur, on a short term, for the duration of the works. The monitoring programme of the hydro-chemical characteristics shall be adapted, regarding the sample prelevation frequency, depending on the results. II.1.1.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.1.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna Fish migration will be monitored before the start of construction works in the Bala branch. Target species are sturgeons (Acipenser gueldenstaedti, A. stellatus, Huso huso) barbels (Barbus barbus) and other 13 species mentioned above, by telemetry and classical methods. . Sturgeons are the most sensitive species that might be affected and are of international concern. Barbel is a representative of non-sturgeon fish but still a migratory species

64

and of smaller stature. Thus, impacts on migratory behaviour of different species can be assessed with later monitoring stages. Specimens of the target species have to be captured alive and unhurt in the Borcea branch. However, as a sufficient number of specimen my not be caught, costs for purchasing additional fish provided by professional fisherman (live catches) must be considered. In order to be able to draw statistical conclusions, it should be targeted to catch 50 sturgeons for tagging. The catch needs to be representative (i.e. sufficient beluga sturgeon species, sufficient big size (> 2m)). The catch of at least 50 individuals would lead to 30 species delivering data, a minimum for statistical significance. Besides sturgeon tracking, barbel also needs to be tracked with the same frequency and for the same period. Barbel should also be targeted to catch and tag about 50 representative individuals. Fish of proper species, sex (determination without injury using a digital video recording endoscope), size (related to transmitter weight) and condition must be anesthetized. Sturgeons should be preferably male, to avoid unnecessary costs (additional purchase) or damage/mortality because of sensitivity. Choosing the size of fish tanks and boats must consider fish lengths of up to 3 m and fish weights of up to 150 kg. Careful and quick handling and release is necessary to avoid later drop backs of the tagged fish. The use of sterile surgery equipment is essential. The offerers will provide in the documentation submitted within the tender procdure the methodology and necessary equipments for monitoring other fish species which are not foreseen in this monitoring programme. The sectors affected by the project represent only part of the territory of sturgeons; they are dependant both on swimming conditions (water depth, turbidity) and on feeding and reproduction conditions (favorable habitats, bentonic invertebrates, species of fish). As general objectives, sturgeon monitoring must include: • Characterization of populations: structure by age and size classes, distribution, abundance, preference for habitat • Establishing the reproductive potential – proportion of reproductive females • Monitoring and confirmation of migration periods for reproduction, wintering, feeding • Characterization of preferred habitats for reproduction and of those for feeding Before the execution of the works indirect monitoring is recommended – identification and monitoring of the modifications of the reproduction habitats (granulometric data) and of feeding habitats (data on bentos structure). Simultaneously with the hydromorphological evaluation, we can identify the bottom holes with gravel bed as well as the agglomerations of detritus and fauna in these holes or behind the hydraulic dunes, which represent preferred habitats for the sturgeons for egg spawning and for feeding. The biomass existing in the feeding habitats of the sturgeons shall be also monitored. Tagged fish that are tracked individually at the bottom sill and located accurately have to be surveyed by a mobile DIDSON digital acoustic video camera. This allows imagery even in turbid water and thus document behaviour (e.g. movements, resting, turn back, …) when confronted with obstacles or unsuitable hydraulic conditions. Thus, this behavioural information has to be combined with depth and velocity measurements using sonar and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) and Acoustic Doppler Velocitymeter (ADV). This information is essential for (1) proving the suitability or unsuitability of the constructed work and (2) improving the construction work according to fish response, if necessary.

II.1.1.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora Parameters The first step generates data regarding the reference condition and includes the following parameters: composition, abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton and of submersed macrophytes (presence/absence of macrophytes), the values of which are centralized in a data base (Anuja Parikh&Nathan Gale, 1998). Methodology Due to the increased degree of turbidity, to the natural currents and artificial currents produced by the ships, to the reduced transparency, to the very large depth of the water in the navigation channel, no macrophytes were found and the composition of the phytoplankton, which would give the information related to the physic-chemical properties of the water, is difficult to estimate requiring a large amount of work. Consequently, information regarding the composition, abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton shall be provided only by the processing of 3 average samples, one prelevated before starting the works, one during the works and the third after the completion of the works. The prelevation shall be made by Patalas plankton trap and the concentration by plankton net.

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The average sample shall consist in 3 average sub-samples prelevated in the vicinity of the left river bank and the riparian slope. Species will be identified by microscope, and counted on microscopic blades. The composition and abundance of the macrophytes can be estimated by 3 average samples prelevated at the same time with those for the phytoplankton. The prelevation can be made by a dredger with an opening of 20 cm x 50 cm, dredging on a length of 10 m, in the vicinity of the river banks (Donald & al, 2004) (see also Janauer G.A., 2002 – www.midcc.at Guidance on the Assessment of Aquatic Macrophytes in the River Danube, in Water Bodies of the Fluvial Corridor and in uts Tributaries and SR EN 14184 / 2004, ASRO pbl. In august 2006 – (Guidance standard for the surveyng of aquatic macrophytes in running waters) – pag.7-10, 12-13

b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna For the aquatic fauna is recommended the use of the benthonic invertebrates, in the sector of these works being present oligochaetes, lumbricids, gammarids and corophydids crustaceans, bivalves (Dreissena polymorpha formed of reef structures characterized by congestion of oligochaetes and crustaceans), trichopterous insect larva (Hydropsyche species) and chironomids . For each association of identified bentonic invertebrates the value of diversity Shannon index will be calculated. Tests will be made upstream and downstream of the critical point and the values calculated for the diversity index will be recorded in a table, for subsequent comparison with later results. Prelevators/ samplers of macroinvertebrates species are both calitative and quantitative, direct and of colonyzing. Near the bank in 2 points along the bottom sill on the both sides of the Bala Branch Near the Banks in 2 points on both sides of the River - Dunarea Veche (Old Danube) 2 profiles upstream and downstream of Bala Branch – deep sampling. Given the specific conditions for the Danube sector, it is applied the deep waters macroinvertebrate species prelevation/sampling methodology Guide – for cantitative and qualitative colonizing prelevators (ASRO Romanian Standard Standard Român, SR EN ISO 9391 from November 2000)

Table 16 Necessary equipment for Benthos sampling and lab processing of the biological material Substrate

Silt

Sand

Small Pebbles

Small Pebbles

Large Pebbles

Partcules size (mm)

< 0,1

0,5 to 4

0,5 to 32

16 32

64 to l128

Qualitative samplers Heavy Bodengreifer Ponar Bodengreifer Birge-Ekman Nturalist dredge - large Nturalist dredge - medium Quantitative samplers Heavy Bodengreifer Ponar BodengreiferBirge-Ekman 1) Pneumatic sampler FBA

+ +

+ +

+ +F

+

+ +

+ +

+ +F

+

+

+

to

Very Large Pebbles > 128

+ +

+ +

+F +F

+

+

+

1) The pneumatic sampler is used to a flow volume of 200l/min

Table 17. Reccommended sizes for the net holes of benthos sampling Watching/ Survey Objective General biological survey/ rutine Data for the researches, using the biotic index

Max size of the net hole 0,5 sau or 0,7

Comments It is possible that the first development stages of some insects to do not be caught

For the rutine survey, with more complex data

0,5

More then the catching of the first development stages

For special surveys, which need/ require data with complete details

0,25

It is insured the catching of the first development stages of insects and of the very small

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organizms, which can get value in determining the water quality

For the interpretation of the bentonic macro non-spine individuals presence in samples it is used the Guide for the interpretation of the quality biological data obtained from the study of the benthic macro invertebrates individuals (ASRO Standard, SR EN ISO 8689 - from September 2003) Table 18 Quality Classes for benthic macro invertebrates individuals Quality Classes for benthic macro invertebrates individuals

Observations

Very Good

The observed community totally, or almost totally corresponds to the conditions in which there are no antropic factors of stress, or they are considered insignificant (nondisturbed community)

Good

There exists small changes in the observed community, by comparison with the refernce community

Moderate

The composition of the observed community moderately differ from the reference community The main taxonomic groups of the reference community are absent.

Bad

The composition of the observed community differ significantly, from the reference community. Many taxonomic groups of the reference community are absent.

Very bad

The observed community is strongly affected by comparison wo the reference community. There are present only the taxonomic groups capable to live in extremely disturbed conditions.

II.1.1.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna a) Monitoring of terrestrial flora In the critical point Bala-Caragheorghe-Turcescu in the riparian zone there are 3 types of vegetation (poplar plantations, grassland and wetland). For the monitoring system 2 transects will be selected along the river. In the first 2 transect 3 permanent plots of 600 m (30 m x 20 m), will be selected, located in the main vegetation types. For each strip of excavated material, 2 meters high, 5 meters wide, there will be established 5 permanent surfaces arranged systematically on the strip surface. In transect 2 a single permanent plot will be established. Every year, in mid-season vegetation, a flower survey will be made in each plot. b) Bird fauna monitoring Establishment of the favorable reference values for the populations of water and land birds on Turcescu Weastern Island and the Eastern one. The established parameters and the methodology were presented in the introduction of the bird fauna monitoring program. Depending on the permanent selected plots for vegetation, 3 squares meters (test units) shall be selected on Turcescu Weastern Island and 1 square meter on the small Eastern Island so that the data collected might be correlated with those for the vegetation. Night surveys shall include between 3-5 points on Turcescu.

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II.1.2. During the works execution period II.1.2.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil During the execution of the works, the following elements shall be monitored monthly: • For the air: o suspension powders; o nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. • For noise o Noise level for heavy naval traffic o Noise level for naval traffic zero • For the soil o Presence or absence of lumbricides in the works area II.1.2.2. Hydro-morphological monitoring The location of the measuring points is the one in Fig.7:

a) Water flow monitoring

• • •

During the execution of the works the flow monitoring shall be made according to the following program: Continous water level measuring in the 5 sections; Periodical flow rate measuring in the 5 sections, covering the whole range of flow as far as possible; Profiling of sections o In points 1, 4 and 5 every month; o In points 2 and 3 at the end of each stage of the hydrotechnical works provided.

b)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports The monitoring must be differentiated in time depending on the measured parameters and the work stations: Turbidity measuring in selected points 1, 2 and 4, once a month; Integrated prelevation of samples for suspension sediments used for sensor calibration is made once a month; Integrated sampling in sections 1, 2 and 4 is performed 5-7 times a year at high flows and low flows, in order to cover the variation amplitude of the flow with a probability of excedeence of 95%.

c)Monitoring of morphological modifications The morphological modifications monitoring shall consist of: • • • •

echo sounding single beam in sectors 1, 2a and 3 (fig.7) 4 times a year (once each season); geodesic measurements for river bank morphology, 4 times a year, in the areas with obvious modifications in order to complete the land morphology; local measurements in the areas with significant modifications produced by the execution of works ( share regulations, drainage, etc.) measurements of water depths in areas with morphological modifications

d)Water quality The recommended frequency of sample prelevation during the execution of the works, for the determination of chemistry, is: • From sediment: 1 sample/every month • From water: 1 sample/every month The analysis of the characteristics is recommended to be carried out according to the national monitoring programme in force in Romania: Handbook for the modernization and development of the Integrated Monitoring System of the Waters in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 234 bis of 15/03/2006.

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II.1.2.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.1.2.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna During the execution of the works the sturgeons, barbell and othe species must be monitored by telemetry. It is necessary to estimate the number of adult individuals transiting the perimeter of the works. Also it must be monitored the water turbidity in order to evaluate a possible (temporary) clogging of the gravel habitats, preferred by the sturgeons. The sturgeon monitoring must be correlated with the moment of reaching the maximum height of the bottom sill and the measurement of the current speed on the section determined by the sill opening. It is necessary to estimate whether the sturgeons can cross the sill, taking into account the increase of the water speed determined by the reduction of the section. II.1.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora During the execution of the works, the whole set of parameters in the reference data base shall be measured. Measurements will be made only once, preferably during the next year, also in mid-season vegetation. If the works continue over several years, the measurements will be made at mid interval of work execution. b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna During the execution of the works, some qualitative modifications may appear in the structure of benthonic macro-invertebrates associations. It is necessary to monitor the composition of these associations in relation to the data obtained previously, before the start of the works. The comparison shall be made both the mere listing of taxons as well as by Shannon index calculation. II.1.2.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna During the execution of the works, when the whole set of parameters in the reference data base shall be measured, except for the type of habitat. Measurements will be made only once, preferably during the next year, also in mid-season vegetation. If the works continue over several years, the measurements will be made at mid interval of works execution. II.1.2.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna It is carried aut on the same squares selected before staring the works described at (II.1.1.3.4) using the methodology and frequency described in the introduction in order to collect the necessary data for the calculation of the above mentioned parameters. Comparative analyses will be made in order to see the population and distribution modifications of the birds determined by the works of the project.

II.1.3. After the execution of the works II.1.3.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil After the execution of the works, the following elements shall be monitored during 3 years: • For the air: o suspension powders; o nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. • For noise o Noise level for heavy naval traffic o Noise level for naval traffic zero • For the soil o Presence or absence of lumbricides in the works area Two sets of measurements shall be made per year for comparison with reference levels obtained before starting the works.

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II.1.3.2. Hydro-morphological monitoring The location of the measuring points is the one in Fig.7:

a)Water flow monitoring After the execution of the works the flow monitoring shall be made for a period of 3 years according to the following program: • Continous water level measuring in the 3 sections ; • Periodical flow rate measuring in the 3 sections, covering the whole range of flow as far as possible; • Profiling of sections o In points 1, 4 every month; o In point 2 at the end of each stage of the hydrotechnical works provided.

b)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports After the execution of the works, for a period of 3 years integrated sampling (or multipoint measurement) in sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is performed 5-7 times a year at high flows and low flows, in order to cover the variation amplitude of the flow with a probability of excedeence of 95%.

c)Monitoring of morphological modifications The morphological modifications monitoring programme after the execution of the works, for a duration of 3 years, shall consist of: 1) Echo sounding using single beam 2 to 4 times a year at defined cross sections (spacing see table 14) to detect morphological changes 2) Echo sounding measurements using multi beam (at medium to high flow conditions) 2 to 4 times a year in order to complete the digital terrain model and to detect morphological changes (spacing and locations see table 14) 3) Geodetical completion measurements at riparian regions which are not covered by laser scan or multi beam echo sounding. 4) Geodetical measurements in regions of high development or interest (heavily affected by the engineering measures) 5) Water levels have to be measured simultaneously to be able to derive water depths

d)Water quality The recommended frequency of sample prelevation during the execution of the works, for the determination of chemistry, is: • From sediment: 1 sample/every 4 months • From water: 1 sample/every 4 months II.1.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.1.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna After the completion of the works the sturgeons, barbell and other 13 species must be monitored by telemetry for a period of at least 3 years. It is necessary to estimate both the granulometric structure of the holes with gravel bottom as well as the biomass of benthonic invertebrates agglomerated in these holes or behind the hydraulic dunes. The biomass indicator shall prove if feeding conditions have been modified, positively or negatively, after the completion of the works II.1.3.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna

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a) Monitoring of aquatic flora The presence/absence of macrophytes will be the only parameter to be monitored. The prelevation can be made by a dredger, only once a year, in mid-season vegetation, in the vicinity of the river banks. b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna The associations of benthonic macro-invertebrates shall be tested and the Shannon index will be calculated. After the completion of the works, the monitoring shall continue for at least one year, with a seasonal frequency (spring, summer, autumn and winter). II.1.3.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna During stage three (after the end of site activities and ecological restoration of the area where was located the construction site) only the following variables shall be maintained for monitoring: number of species, degree (consistency) of covering with vegetation (for both grasses and tree crowns), the ratio between hydrophytes and mesophytes, the proportion of invasive species, the degree of colonization, the colonization speed (measured every year). II.1.3.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna It is carried out on the same squares selected before starting the works described at (II.1.1.3.4) by using the methodology and frequency described in the introduction in order to collect the data necessary for the calculation of the previously described parameters. Population and distribution tendencies of the bird fauna will be estimated after the completion of the project works.

II.2. Monitoring of critical point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda )Island Area II.2.1. Before the execution of the works It is proposed that the Epurasu works are put on hold until it is clear that the (higher) bottom sill and fish pass are not sufficient to achieve the necessary improvements for navigation.But the below-described monitoring is anyway deemed useful to establish a baseline for possible future works. II.2.1.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil Before the execution of the works, the following elements shall be evaluated as reference: • For the air: o suspension powders; o nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. • For noise o Noise level for heavy naval traffic o Noise level for naval traffic zero • For the soil o Presence or absence of lumbricides in the works area Two sets of measurements shall be made for the evaluation of the reference levels obtained before starting the works. II.2.1.2. Hydro morphological monitoring Monitoring shall be carried aut mainly in the hydrotechnical arrangements area on Bala Branch, in Izvoarele (Epuraşu) Area on the Old Danube (Points 3 and 4, Fig.10). The location of the measuring points i s proposed to be as indicated on Fig.10: • Point 3, located on the Old Danube at 3.5 km downstream of point 1; • Point 5, located on the Old Danube, 8 km downstream of the bottom sill of Izvoarele.

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4

2 5 1

3

Fig.10.Monitoring of critical point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area Additional discharge measurements at Epurasu side arm

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3D – ADCP measurements and supplementary ADV measurements at additional cross sections have to be performed at the cross sections pointed out in Figure 1 (yellow lines). The discharge distribution at Epurasu side arm inlet is determined with an accuracy of about 1%.

Figure 10b: Project area with gauging stations (red lines) and additional cross sections for specific discharge and suspended sediment transport measurements (yellow lines) a)Water flow monitoring

• • •

Before the execution of the works the flow monitoring shall be performed according to the following program: Water level measuring in the 2 sections (points 3 and 5) every month; Flow rate measuring in the 2 sections every month; Profiling of sections o In point 3 every month; o In point 5 at the end of each stage of the hydrotechnical works provided.

b)Monitoring of suspension sediment transports The monitoring must be differentiated in time depending on the measured parameters and the work stations: Continous turbidity measuring in points 3 and 5,; Prelevation of samples for suspension sediments used for sensor calibration is made once a month and more often during floods; Integrated sampling (or multipoint measurements) in sections 3 and 5 is performed 5-7 times a year at high flows and small flows, in order to cover the variation amplitude of the flow with an assurance of 95%.

c) Monitoring of morphological modifications In general the same should be done as for the sill. The morphological modifications monitoring shall consist of:

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1) Echo sounding using single beam 2 to 4 times a year at defined cross sections (spacing see table 14) to detect morphological changes 2) Echo sounding measurements using multi beam (at medium to high flow conditions) 2 to 4 times a year in order to complete the digital terrain model and to detect morphological changes (spacing and locations see table 14) 3) Geodetical completion measurements at riparian regions which are not covered by laser scan or multi beam echo sounding. 4) Geodetical measurements in regions of high development or interest (heavily affected by the engineering measures) 5) Water levels have to be measured simultaneously to be able to derive water depths

d) Water quality The recommended frequency of sample prelevation during the execution of the works, for the determination of chemistry, is: • From sediment: 1 sample/every month • From water: 1 sample/every month The analysis of the characteristics is recommended to be carried out according to the national monitoring programme in force in Romania: Handbook for the modernization and development of the Integrated Monitoring System of the Waters in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 234 bis of 15/03/2006. II.2.1.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.2.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna Before the execution of the works indirect monitoring is recommended – identification and monitoring of the modifications of the reproduction habitats (granulometric data) and of feeding habitats (data on bentos structure). Simultaneously with the hydromorphological evaluation, we can identify the bottom holes with gravel bed as well as the agglomerations of detritus and fauna in these holes or behind the hydraulic dunes, which represent preferred habitats for the sturgeons for egg spawning and for feeding. The biomass existing in the feeding habitats of the sturgeons shall be also monitored. Fish sampling must be done in spring, if possible before the spring flood, and in late summer, when juvenile fish can be sampled efficiently and determined. This also allows indirect documentation of seasonal migrations. In each side arm at least three different locations must be sampled (opening section close to the construction works, middle section and lower section) each time. Two methods, that are accepted as standard internationally, are obligatory for fish sampling but optionally additional methods are to be used. A) Electro fishing Along shallow banks (water depth < 3 m) the fish community must be sampled using electrofishing gear. By creating an electric field (direct current) in the water fish are narcotized and can be captured. After measuring length and weight and determination of species, the fish can be released unharmed. However, due to the high voltage and ampere used (>200 V, 12A), an experienced team is necessary to avoid damage to fish or humans involved. At least 10 strips of 200-400 m length each must be sampled during daylight and 4 additional strips during night. Capture efficiency of species and size classes must be recorded for later analysis. Individual strips should be located in the area according to habitat distribution, so all major habitat types are covered (e.g. sand banks, macrophytes, backwaters). Each strip must be measured (length, width) and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. B) Net fishing For capturing fish off the riparian zone different types of nets can be used. Most efficient are multi-meshed nets that allow capture of different sized fish and thus a greater variety of species in the open water. Each net must be measured (length, weight), exposition time recorded and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. Other nets that could be used instead are trammel nets (drifting or stationary). At least 2 nets must be exposed over night at each location (upper end, middle and lower end of side arms) at each sampling date. However, additional nets have to be set, if backwaters exists in the study are that might be affected. C) Additional optional methods Additional capture methods can be used, because they allow the capture of additional species or age classes. Along the riparian zone, on flat and bare banks fine-meshed beach-seine nets can be used for catching small fish. Over the

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cross section of flowing arms demersal lines with standardised hooks and baits can be used for capturing bottom dwelling species. Similar records are possible with fine-meshed bottom drift nets set in deep mid-channel areas.

II.2.1.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora Parameters The first step generates data regarding the reference state and it includes the following parameters: composition and biomass of the of phytoplankton and submersed macrophytes, presence/absence of macrophytes,) and the values of these parameters will be centralized in a data base (Anuja Parikn & Nathan Gale, 1998) Methodology Duet o the increase turbidity, of natural and artificial currents produced by the ships, of reduced transparency, of very deep waters on the navigating channel, no macrophytes are found and the composition of the phytoplankton, which would give the information concerning the physico-chemical properties of the water is a parameter difficult to estimate as it requires a large amount of work. Consequently, information regarding the composition, numerical abundance and biomass of the phytoplankton shall be provided only by the processing of 3 average samples, one prelevated before starting the works, one during the works and the third after the completion of the works. The prelevation shall be made by Patalas plankton trap and the concentration by plankton net. The average sample shall consist in 3 average sub-samples prelevated in the vicinity of the right river bank, of the left river bank and the riparian slope. Species will be identified by microscope, and counted on microscopic blades. The composition and abundance of the macrophytes can be estimated by 3 average samples prelevated at the same time with those for the phytoplankton. The prelevation can be made by a dredge with an opening of 20 cm x 50 cm, dredging on a length of 10 m, in the vicinity of the river banks (Donald & al, 2004) (see Table 8a).

b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna For the water fauna it is recommended the use of the benthic invertebrates, in the sector of these works being present oligochetes, lumbricids, gammarids and corophiids crustaceans, bivalves (Dreissena polymorpha formed of reef structures characterized by association of oligochaetes and crustaceans), trichopteran insect larva (Hydropsyche type) and chironomids. The sampling points are near the bank in 2 points along the guiding wall on the both sides of the river bank. Near the banks in 2 points on both sides of the River - Dunarea Veche (Old Danube) 2 profiles upstream and downstream of guiding wall and banks protection – deep sampling. For each association of identified benthic invertebrates the value of diversity Shannon index will be calculated. Tests will be made upstream and downstream of the critical point and the values calculated for the diversity index will be recorded in a table, for subsequent comparison with later results. II.2.1.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna Parameters Monitoring before the beginning of works requires knowledge of the state of reference and includes a larger number of parameters, ( type of habitat, type of bushes, with an inventory of trees in the area affected, consistency of bushes, species richness, coverage of vegetation, the colonization of vegetation, ratio between hydrophytes and mesophytes, number of invasive species, stratification); the values of these parameters will be centralized in a data base (Anuja Parikh & Nathan Gale, 1998) Methodology Type of habitat (woodland or forest, wetland, grassland) It shall be established depending on the dominant type of vegetation. By means of ortho-photo-plans, the main types of vegetation and their respective shares are to be established. The method underlying the establishment sample in which measurements of the parameters that characterize terrestrial vegetation and are an integral part of the monitoring system is the quadratelor method (George, 2008). Based on this method were established plots size and number of permanent plotes and quadratelor. The type of stand, trees inventory (determining which species are trees concerned and share), stand 2 consistency, coverage or trees. Trees will be inventoried in permanently areas (plot) measuring 600 m (rectangles of

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30m x 20m) for the entire area. The inventory will consist of identifying species of present trees in the plot and the number of individuals of each species. At areas (plots) demarcation can use the LGD, Vertex or roulette For assess the degree of coverage of the crowning trees will count include areas shadeless (woodland) with 2 2 area greater than 1m . In counting glades can use metric frame (which is why I asked that they not be less than 1 m ). Coverage of crowning will give information about the transition from an area with forest vegetation (woodland) in which coverage may be 1% (there is a single tree or separate 2-3) to 85% over the degree once 85% is a forest (forest). Threshold of 85% is the threshold of separation between forest and woodland. Species richness Will be estimated from a flora method. Flora method consist in an identification all species of present plants in the sample areas. Flora method will be performed in samples using qudratelor method. Analysis herbaceous layer (herbaceous layer) is done by analyzing the 5 equal quadrant (sample area,1m x 1m) marked in each areas and randomly distributed. In these sample areas the species will be identified and distributed on hydrophore (Alisma Plantago-aquatica, Butomus umbellatus, Cicuta virosa, Iris pseudacorus, Lemna trisulca, Nymphoides peltata, Oenanthe aquatica, Phragmites australis, Salvini natans, sagittaria sagittifolia, Typha latifolia, T . angustifolia) mezohidrofite (Juncus sp., Carex sp., Eleocharis sp., Equisetum palustrae, Gallium palustrae, Bidens frondosa, Stallaria aquatica, Polygonum hydropiper, P. mite, Scirpus sylvaticus, Lysimachia nummularia, Lythrum salicaria, Lysimachia vulgaris, Mentha longifolia , Myosotis scorpioides, Ranunculus repens, Rorippa palustris, Solanum dulcamara) and mezofite. The result flora method will be a list of species and specific richness. The species richness is expressed numerically, so will be a whole natural number. Let's say that the step 1 we have identified a 78-taxon, in step 2 are 45 taxon and then annually in mid-season vegetation we will have other values which theoretically will increase, will record a limit and then a small decline. The decline is due to removal from communities ruderal plant species induced by anthropogenic activities and which disappear with the stop of these activities. To determine the specific wealth is needed for establishing the list of species. Lists of species at different times can be compared with MVSP, and can make evident the changes that occur and whether these changes are significant or not. On the grassy vegetation for delimitation quadratic it use quadratic (frame metric). Coverage (coverage) of vegetation For each quadrant it will determine coverage. Coverage will be assessed as the ratio of the shaded plants from the quadrant and total area of the quadrant. Coverage for the grass vegetation is expressed as a percentage, as percent of each quadrant of the area is shady, and it make an average for the 5 quadrant in which it have been reports and Flora reports (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, 2 Q5) from plot measuring 600 m in which they are distributed randomly. For example Q1 with coverage 15% (15% in 2 the first area of 1 m is shaded), Q2 with 25%, Q3 with 45%, Q4 with 20% and Q5 with 30%; coverage in the plot, for layer herby, is 27% i.e. (15 + 25 + 45 + 20 + 30) / 5. The coverage will followed in permanent plots and gives informations about the recovery speed of vegetation carpet. The vegetation colonization degree, the rate of colonization The degree of colonization of the banks and fluvial islands with vegetation is established by marking the permanent lines of nude substrate and plants covered substrate. Speed of colonization will be determined as the ratio between the populated area by new plants with a coverage of more than 15% and the time in which the area was expanding. Speed of colonization will followed at interface „the land and water” and will inform about the new emerging areas and coverage speed of them. The number of overrun vegetal species. Will be identified overrun species such as Amorpha fruticosa, Fraxinus penssylvanica, Acer negundo, Solidago gigantea, Echinocystis lobate, Conyza canadensis, Erigeron annuus, Xanthium italicum, S. spinosum, etc.) and will be calculated in proportion with those autochthonous. In the set of proposed parameters for the monitoring of vegetation, there are two types of indicators. Some were selected to capture the induced changes by river buildind with a role in improving the navigation (the defense of banks, the embankment and limit depth) *, others to be tracked areas recovery speed where have been cleaning and tree cutting (which was disrupting plant carpet) during planning work ** (see Table 8). In critical point Epurasu, (Swan Island) are two types of vegetation (euroamerican hybrid poplar plantation 2 and grassland, here up to 2 permanent plots of 600 m each corresponding to a type of vegetation. For each strip of excavatored material, 2 m high, palm of 5 m will be established 5 permanent areas arranged 2 systematically on the belt. Each area will have size of 1 m . Each area will be monitoring, ongoing changes evolution in terrestrial flora, through coparasion of flora lists made each year in mid-season vegetation; coverage and colonization speed.

II.2.1.3.4. Monitoring birds fauna

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Establishing reference values favorable for aquatic land and bird populations on the island Epuraşu. Parameters set and methodology used was described in introduction. Will select according to selected plots for permanent vegetation, 3 squares (unit sample). The night observations will include between 3-5 points.

II.2.2. During execution of works.

II.2.2.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil quality and noise quality During execution of work it will measure monthly: For air - a matter; - a nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. For Noise - a noise level during work execution - a noise level of work breaks For the soil - presence or absence lumbricide in the works area

II.2.2.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring Monitoring will be done primarily in the area of hydro arrangements on Bala arm, area sources (Epuraşu) on the Old Danube (Sections 3 and 4, Fig.7).

a)Monitoring flow During the execution of work, flow monitoring will make according to the following timetable: -

Continous measurement of water level in the 2 sections (sections 3 and 5); Periodical measurement of flow velocity in the 2 sections,;

-

profiling sections o o

In section 3 month In section 5 at the end of each stage of provided hydro arrangements

b}Monitoring of sediment transport in suspension Monitoring should be differentiated in time depending on the measured parameters and workstations: Continous measuring of turbidity in the working stations 3 and 5 will be made ; Sampling for suspended sediment, used for calibration of sensors will be made monthly; Integrated proof in Sections 3 and 5 will be made 5-7 times on year at high rates and low rates, to cover the amplitude of variation amplitude of the flow with a probability of excedeence of 95%.

c)Monitoring of morphological changes Morphological changes monitoring will be: • echo sounding single beam in the zone 2b (fig.9) 4 times a year (once each season); • geodetic measurements for banks morphology to 4 times per year in areas with visible changes for land morphology filling; • local measurements in areas with significant changes from the implementation work (adjustments of the bank, drainage, etc.). • measurements of water depth in areas with morphological changes

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d)Water quality The frequency of sampling during the execution of works to determine chemistry, should be: • From sediment: 1 sample / month • For water: 1 test / month Analysis of characteristics should be achieved under national monitoring programme in operation in Romania: Manual for the modernization and development of Integrated Monitoring System of Water in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 234 bis of 15/03/2006.

II.2.2.3. Monitoring biodiversity

II.2.2.3.1. Monitoring ichtyofauna During the execution of works, it recommended telemetry monitoring of sturgeon, barbell and other 13 species. Assessment is necessary for the number of adult specimens in perimeter work. Also water turbidity should be monitored to assess possible warping (temporary) habitats with gravel, favorite sturgeon. Sturgeon tracking should be correlated with time reaching a maximum height of the bottom threshold and measurement of current speed on the threshold determined by the opening. You must estimate if sturgeons may exceed that threshold in the increase in water velocity caused by the section shrinking. Fish sampling must be done in spring, if possible before the spring flood, and in late summer, when juvenile fish can be sampled efficiently and determined. This also allows indirect documentation of seasonal migrations. In each side arm at least three different locations must be sampled (opening section close to the construction works, middle section and lower section) each time. Two methods, that are accepted as standard internationally, are obligatory for fish sampling but optionally additional methods are recommended. A) Electro fishing Along shallow banks (water depth < 3 m) the fish community must be sampled using electrofishing gear. By creating an electric field (direct current) in the water fish are narcotized and can be captured. After measuring length and weight and determination of species, the fish can be released unharmed. However, due to the high voltage and ampere used (>200 V, 12A), an experienced team is necessary to avoid damage to fish or humans involved. At least 10 strips of 200-400 m length each must be sampled during daylight and 4 additional strips during night. Capture efficiency of species and size classes must be recorded for later analysis. Individual strips should be located in the area according to habitat distribution, so all major habitat types are covered (e.g. sand banks, macrophytes, backwaters). Each strip must be measured (length, width) and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. B) Net fishing For capturing fish off the riparian zone different types of nets can be used. Most efficient are multi-meshed nets that allow capture of different sized fish and thus a greater variety of species in the open water. Each net must be measured (length, weight), exposition time recorded and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. Other nets that could be used instead are trammel nets (drifting or stationary). At least 2 nets must be exposed over night at each location (upper end, middle and lower end of side arms) at each sampling date. However, additional nets have to be set, if backwaters exists in the study are that might be affected. C) Additional optional methods Additional capture methods can be used, because they allow the capture of additional species or age classes. Along the riparian zone, on flat and bare banks fine-meshed beach-seine nets can be used for catching small fish. Over the cross section of flowing arms demersal lines with standardised hooks and baits can be used for capturing bottom dwelling species. Similar records are possible with fine-meshed bottom drift nets set in deep mid-channel areas.

II.2.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora During the works execution time will also measure the full set of parameters from the database reference. Measurements are also made once, preferably in the following year, also in mid-season vegetation. If the work will be spread over several years, measurements will be done in the mid range of performance work.

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b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna During the execution of the works may occur some qualitative changes in the associations of demersal macroinvertebrates. It is necessary to follow the composition of these associations in relation to data obtained in the previous period, before the work execution. Comparison is done so by simply listing the taxa and by calculating the index Shanon.

II.2.2.3.3. Monitoring terrestrial flora and fauna During the works execution time will also measure the full set of parameters from the database reference, except the type of habitat. Measurements are also made once, preferably in the following year, also in mid-season vegetation. If the work will be spread over several years, measurements will be done in the mid range of performance work.

II.2.2.3.4. Monitoring avifauna Is performed on the same square selected before the work described in (II.1.1.3.4) using the methodology and the frequency described in introduction for to collect the necessary data to calculate the parameters described above. Will perform comparative analysis to reflect population changes and distribution of bird fauna caused by work done in the project.

II.2.3. After the execution of works

II.2.3.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil and noise After finish of the work it will be monitoring during 3 years: • For air: - a matter; - a nitrogen oxides (NOx), oxides of lead, CO and CO2. • To Noise - a level of noise at a intense naval traffic - a level of noise at a null naval traffic • For soil - the presence or absence of a zone lumbricide works Will perform two sets of measurements on year for comparison with reference levels obtained before the work.

II.2.3.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring After the finish of hydro-monitoring work will be done in the area Izvoarele (Epuraşu) on the Old Danube (Sections 3 and 4, Fig.7).

a)Monitoring of flow After the finish of work, monitoring flow will be after the following timetable: • Continous measurement of water level in the 2 sections (sections 3 and 5); • Periodical measurement of flow velocity in the 2 sections; • profiling sections - In the section 3, monthly - In the section 5 at the end of each stage of provided hydro arrangements.

b)Monitoring of sediment transport in suspension

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Monitoring programme should be differentiated in time depending on the parameters measured and workstations: Continous measuring turbidity in working stations 3 and 5 will be made); Sampling for suspended sediment, used for calibration of sensors will be made monthly; Integrated proof in Sections 3 and 5 will be made 5-7 times on year at high rates and low rates to cover the amplitude of variation with an assurance of 95%.

c)Monitoring of morphological changes Morphological changes monitoring programme will be: • echo sounding single beam in zone 2b (fig.9) 4 times a year (once each season); • geodetic measurements for morphology banks to 4 times on year, in areas with visible changes, for land morphology filling; • local measurements in areas with significant changes from the implementation work (adjustments of the bank, drainage, etc.). • measurements of water depth in areas with morphological changes

d)Water quality The frequency of sampling after the execution of works to determine chemistry, should be: • From sediment: 1 sample / 4 months • For water: 1 sample / 4 months Analysis of characteristics should be achieved under national monitoring programme in operation in Romania: Manual for the modernization and development of Integrated Monitoring System of Water in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 234 bis of 15/03/2006.

II.2.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity

II.2.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna After the finish of the work, should be continued tracking sturgeon, barbel by telemetry and of the other 13 species over a period of at least 3 years. Will estimate the grain structure of ditches with gravel bottom and demersal biomass nevertebratelor crowded in these holes or rear hydraulic dunes. The biomass will reveal if feeding conditions have changed, in effect, positive or negative, after finishing work. Fish sampling must be done in spring, if possible before the spring flood, and in late summer, when juvenile fish can be sampled efficiently and determined. This also allows indirect documentation of seasonal migrations. In each side arm at least three different locations must be sampled (opening section close to the construction works, middle section and lower section) each time. Two methods, that are accepted as standard internationally, are obligatory for fish sampling but optionally additional methods are recommended. A) Electro fishing Along shallow banks (water depth < 3 m) the fish community must be sampled using electrofishing gear. By creating an electric field (direct current) in the water fish are narcotized and can be captured. After measuring length and weight and determination of species, the fish can be released unharmed. However, due to the high voltage and ampere used (>200 V, 12A), an experienced team is necessary to avoid damage to fish or humans involved. At least 10 strips of 200-400 m length each must be sampled during daylight and 4 additional strips during night. Capture efficiency of species and size classes must be recorded for later analysis. Individual strips should be located in the area according to habitat distribution, so all major habitat types are covered (e.g. sand banks, macrophytes, backwaters). Each strip must be measured (length, width) and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. B) Net fishing For capturing fish off the riparian zone different types of nets can be used. Most efficient are multi-meshed nets that allow capture of different sized fish and thus a greater variety of species in the open water. Each net must be measured (length, weight), exposition time recorded and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. Other nets that could be used instead are trammel nets (drifting or stationary). At least 2 nets must be exposed over night at

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each location (upper end, middle and lower end of side arms) at each sampling date. However, additional nets have to be set, if backwaters exists in the study are that might be affected. C) Additional optional methods Additional capture methods can be used, because they allow the capture of additional species or age classes. Along the riparian zone, on flat and bare banks fine-meshed beach-seine nets can be used for catching small fish. Over the cross section of flowing arms demersal lines with standardised hooks and baits can be used for capturing bottom dwelling species. Similar records are possible with fine-meshed bottom drift nets set in deep mid-channel areas.

II.2.3.3.2. Monitoring of flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora Presence / absence of macrofites will be the only parameter to be monitored. Sampling will be done with a dredging ship, once a year, in mid-season vegetation, near banks. b) Monitoring of fauna It will test the associations of demersal macronevertebrate and will calculate the index of Shanon. After implementation of work, the monitoring will continue at least a year, with seasonal frequency (spring, summer, autumn, winter).

II.2.3.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna a) Monitoring terrestrial flora In step three (after the end of the activities and greening area where was the site) will remain only for monitoring the following variables: species richness, coverage of vegetation (consistency) (both for the grassy and crowns of trees) the report between hydrophore and mezofite, the proportion of invasive species, the degree of colonization, the rate of colonization (measured annually).

II.2.3.3.4. Monitoring of avifauna Is performed on the same square selected before the work described in (II.1.1.3.4) using the methodology and the frequency described in introduction, to collect the necessary data to calculate the parameters described above. Will estimate population trends and distribution of avifauna after finish work project.

II.3. Monitoring critical point 10, Caleia Arm (Ostrovu - Lupu) It is proposed that the works in the Caleia Arm are put on hold until it is clear that the (higher) bottom sill and fish pass are not sufficient to achieve the necessary improvements for navigation.But the below-described monitoring is anyway deemed useful to establish a baseline for possible future works.

II.3.1. Before to execution of works

II.3.1.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil and noise Before to execution of work will evaluate elements of reference: • For air: - a matter; - a nitrogen oxides (NOx), oxides of lead, CO and CO2. • To Noise - a level of noise at intense naval traffic - a level of noise at null naval traffic • For soil - The presence or absence lumbricide in work zone. Will run two sets of measurements to assess reference levels used for subsequent comparisons.

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II.3.1.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring Location of monitoring points to critical point 10, Caleia (Fig.11): • Station 6, downstream of the bottom threshold localized on the Caleia arm: Flow - water level; - water flow speed; - profiling bottom in order to estimate the silting Turbidity Sediments in suspension. • Station 7, the Old Danube: - Flow (the esimate the effect of the threshold and the bottom arrangements redistribuire flow); - Turbidity - Suspended sediments Morphometric changes an area of confluence Caleia,Danube, Vilciu Arm. • Station 8, the Caleia arm - Flow - water level; - water flow speed; - bottom profiling in order to estimate the silting - Turbidity - Sediment in suspension. Caleia arm is threatening to be empty during periods of low water, cause is future measures for periodic refueling. a) Monitoring of flow Before the work executionof the monitoring of flow will be with the following timetable: • Continous measurement of water level in the 3 sections (sampling points 6.7 and 8) ; • Periodical measurement of flow speed in the 3 sections; • profiling sections In the sampling points 7 and 8, monthly In the the sampling point 6 at the end of each stage of provided hydro arrangements. b) Monitoring of transport with sediment in suspension Monitoring should be differentiated in time depending on the parameters measured and workstations: Continous measuring turbidity in sampling points 6 and 7 shall be made Sampling for suspended sediment, used for sensors calibration of will be made monthly; Integrated sampling in sections 6, 7 and 8 will be made 5-7 times per year at high waters and low waters to cover the magnitude of variation with a probability of excedence of 95%. c) Monitoring of morphological changes

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Monitoring programme of morphological changes will be executed by: • echo sounding single beam in the sampling station 6 (fig.11) 4 times a year (once each season); • geodezic measurements for banks morphology to 4 times per year in areas with visible changes, for land morphology filling; • measurements of water depth in areas with morphological changes

8 Caleia Branch Old Danube

6 7

Old Danube

Valciu Branch

Fig.11 Location monitoring points of hydromorphological parameters in point 10, Caleia, Ostrovu Lupu, Balta Mica a Brăilei site. d) Water quality The frequency of sampling before to the execution of works to determine chemistry, should be: • From sediment: 1 sample / month • For water: 1 test / month Analysis of characteristics should be achieved under national monitoring programme in operation in Romania: Manual for the modernization and development of Integrated Monitoring System of Water in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no. 234 bis of 15/03/2006.

II.3.1.3. Monitoring biodiversity

II.3.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna Before the implementation of works recommended indirect monitoring - identifying and tracking changing reproductive habitats (granulometric data) and the feeding (bentos structure). Once the hydromorphological evalution can identify ditches with gravel bottom and agglomerations of debris and fauna of the pits or behind the dunes hydraulic habitat preferred lodging for sturgeon eggs and feeding. It will monitor the biomass existing in the feeding habitats of sturgeon. In particular, the arm path, must be identified bottom habitats consist of hard clay, good for a specific association, comprising gammarids and corophiids crustaceans and insect larvae from Ord. Trichoptera, fam. Hydropsychidae, source of food for sturgeon.

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Fish sampling must be done in spring, if possible before the spring flood, and in late summer, when juvenile fish can be sampled efficiently and determined. This also allows indirect documentation of seasonal migrations. In each side arm at least three different locations must be sampled (opening section close to the construction works, middle section and lower section) each time. Two methods, that are accepted as standard internationally, are obligatory for fish sampling but optionally additional methods are recommended. A) Electro fishing Along shallow banks (water depth < 3 m) the fish community must be sampled using electrofishing gear. By creating an electric field (direct current) in the water fish are narcotized and can be captured. After measuring length and weight and determination of species, the fish can be released unharmed. However, due to the high voltage and ampere used (>200 V, 12A), an experienced team is necessary to avoid damage to fish or humans involved. At least 10 strips of 200-400 m length each must be sampled during daylight and 4 additional strips during night. Capture efficiency of species and size classes must be recorded for later analysis. Individual strips should be located in the area according to habitat distribution, so all major habitat types are covered (e.g. sand banks, macrophytes, backwaters). Each strip must be measured (length, width) and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. B) Net fishing For capturing fish off the riparian zone different types of nets can be used. Most efficient are multi-meshed nets that allow capture of different sized fish and thus a greater variety of species in the open water. Each net must be measured (length, weight), exposition time recorded and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. Other nets that could be used instead are trammel nets (drifting or stationary). At least 2 nets must be exposed over night at each location (upper end, middle and lower end of side arms) at each sampling date. However, additional nets have to be set, if backwaters exists in the study are that might be affected. C) Additional optional methods Additional capture methods can be used, because they allow the capture of additional species or age classes. Along the riparian zone, on flat and bare banks fine-meshed beach-seine nets can be used for catching small fish. Over the cross section of flowing arms demersal lines with standardised hooks and baits can be used for capturing bottom dwelling species. Similar records are possible with fine-meshed bottom drift nets set in deep mid-channel areas.

II.3.1.3.2. Monitoring of flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora Parameters The first step generates data on the reference and includes the following parameters: composition, abundance and biomass of phytoplankton and macrofitelor submerse presence / absence macrofitelor), and whose values are centralized in a database (Anuja Parikh & Nathan Gale, 1998 ). Methodology Because the degree of increased turbidity, the natural and artificial currents produced by different vessels, low transparency, depth of water on large fairway the macrphytes have no favorable conditions to grow. The phytoplancton composition fitiplanctonului could provide a good information on the physico-chemical water status, but it claims a very large volume of work. Therefore information on the composition, numerical abundance and biomass data will be processing only 3 samples average, one taken before work, during a work and the other after work. Sampling will be done with Patalasul and plankton concentration in the fillet. The sample average will be composed of 3 sub-samples taken from near average the right bank, near the left bank and the riparian slope. Identification of species will be microscopic, and counting on the blades. Macrophytes composition and abundance can be estimated based on the average of 3 samples taken at the same time as the phytoplankton. Sampling can be done with the dredging ship with the opening of 20 cm x 50 cm, dredging over a length of 10 m, near banks (Donald & al, 2004) (see Table 8a). b) Monitoring of fauna For aquatic fauna is recommended the use of benthic innvertebrates. in the work sector being oligochates lumbricids, gammaridae and corophiids crustaceans, bivalves (Dreissena polymorpha forms of reef structures characterized by association of oligochetes and insect larvae trichoptere (genus Hydropsyche) and chironomide. For each association identified will calculate the Shannon diversity index. Proof will be in upstream and downstream of the critical point and will intable the values calculated for diversity index, for comparison with subsequent results.

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For Caleia arm analysis will be in the same way, associations of demersal macronevertebrates formed the hard clay in the bottom water (gammaridae and corophiids crustaceans and insect larvae - trichopterans of the genus Hydropsyche).

II.3.1.3.3. Monitoring of terrestrial flora and fauna Parameters Monitoring before work requires knowledge of the state of reference and include a greater number of parameters (type of habitat, type of stand, tree inventory of the affected area, stand consistency, species richness, coverage of vegetation, the colonization of vegetation, and the relationship between hydrophites and mezophytes, number of invasive species, stratification), the parameters whose values are centralized in a database (Anuja Parikh & Nathan Gale, 1998). Methodology The type of habitat (forest or woodland, wetland, grassland) Will be determined depending on the type of dominant vegetation. With ortho-photoplans will determine the main types of vegetation and the share of each type of vegetation. The method underlying the establishment sample in which measurements of the parameters that characterize terrestrial vegetation and are an integral part of the monitoring system is the quadratelor method (George, 2008). Based on this method were established plots size and number of permanent plotes and quadratelor. The type of stand, trees inventory (determining which species of trees are concerned and share), stand consistency, coverage. 2

Trees will be inventoried in ploturi standing 600 m (rectangles of 30 m x 20 m) for the entire area. The inventory will consist of identifying species of trees present in the plot and the number of individuals of each species. At plot demarcation can use the LGD, Vertex or roulette. To assess the degree of coverage of the canopy trees will include areas shadeless with area greater than 2 2 1m . In counting the glades can use metric frame (which is why I asked that they not be less than 1 m ). Coverage of canopy will give information about the transition from an area with forest vegetation (woodland) in which coverage may be 1% (there is a single tree or separate 2-3) to 85% over the degree once 85% is a forest. Threshold of 85% is the threshold of separation between forest and woodland. The species richness Will be estimated from a flora method. Flora method will be to identify all species of plants present in the sample areas. Flora method will be performed in samples using qudratelor. Analysis herbaceous layer (herbaceous layer) is done by analyzing the 5 quadrant (area sample) equal (1m x 1m) defined in each plot and randomly distributed. In these sample areas will be identified and the species distributed hydrophore (Alisma Plantago-aquatica, Butomus umbellatus, Cicuta virosa, Iris pseudacorus, Lemna trisulca, Nymphoides peltata, Oenanthe aquatica, Phragmites australis, Salvini natans, sagittaria sagittifolia, Typha latifolia, T . angustifolia) mezohidrofite (Juncus sp., Carex sp., Eleocharis sp., Equisetum palustrae, Gallium palustrae, Bidens frondosa, Stallaria aquatica, Polygonum hydropiper, P. mite, Scirpus sylvaticus, Lysimachia nummularia, Lythrum salicaria, Lysimachia vulgaris, Mentha longifolia , Myosotis scorpioides, Ranunculus repens, Rorippa palustris, Solanum dulcamara) and mezofite. The result flora method will result in the list of species richness and specific. The richness of species (species richness) is expressed numerically, so will be a natural whole. Let's say that the step we have identified a 78-taxon, in step 2 are 45 and then annually taxon in mid-season vegetation we will

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have other values which theoretically will increase to record a ceiling and then a slight decline. The decline is due to removal from communities ruderal plant species induced by anthropogenic activities and which disappear with the cessation of these activities. To determine the specific wealth is needed for establishing the list of species. Lists of species at different times can be compared with MVSP, and can be evident in the changes that occur and whether these changes are significant or not. On the grassy vegetation delineation using quadratic quadratic (frame metric) Coverage of vegetation For each quadrant will determine coverage. Coverage will be estimate as the ratio of the shaded plants and the quadrant area of the quadratic. Coverage for the grass vegetation is expressed as a percentage, as percent of each quadrant of the area is shady, and is an average for the quadrant in which 5 have been reports and Flora (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5) of 600 m2 2 plot in which they are distributed randomly. For example I Q1 with coverage 15% (15% in the first area of 1 m is shaded) Q2 with 25% Q3 with 45% Q4 with 20% and Q5 with 30% coverage in the plot for layer herby is 27% i.e. (15 + 25 + 45 + 20 + 30) / 5. The extent of coverage will follow in permanent plots and gives information about the speed of recovery of carpet plant. The degree of colonization of the vegetation, the rate of colonization The degree of colonization of the banks and river islands vegetation is established by marking the lines of standing nude of the substrate and covered with plants. Speed of colonization will be assessed as the ratio between the area populated by new plants with a coverage of more than 15% and the time the area was expanding. Speed of colonization will follow the land and water interface will inform about the new emerging areas of coverage and speed of them. The number of invasive plant species Will be identified invasive species such as Amorpha fruticosa, Fraxinus penssylvanica, Acer negundo, Solidago gigantea, Echinocystis lobate, Conyza canadensis, Erigeron annuus, Xanthium italicum, S. spinosum, etc.) and will be calculated in proportion to those autochthonous. The meaning of each parameter, threshold values In the set of parameters proposed for the monitoring of vegetation, there are two types of indicators. Some were selected to capture the changes induced by carrying out building with a role in improving navigation conditions (realization of bank defense, and dam management and depth thresholds) *, others to be tracked areas recovery speed where have been cleaning and tree cutting (which was disrupting carpet plant) during work planning ** (see 8). In critical point in the Caleia (Ostrovul Lupu) are three types of vegetation, up to here by 3 permanent plots of 2 600 m each corresponding to a type of vegetation. For each strip of excavated material, 2 m high, width 5 m will be established 5 permanent areas 2 systematically arranged on the belt. Each area will have size of 1 m . Each area will be ongoing monitoring changes in terrestrial flora flora comparison lists made each year in mid-season vegetation, coverage and speed of colonization.

II.3.1.3.4. Monitoring of birds Establishing reference values favorable to populations of aquatic and terrestrial birds on Ostrovul Lupu. Parameters set and methodology used was presented in introductory paragraph. Will select according to permanent plots selected for vegetation, 3 squares (unit sample). The night observations will take place in 2-3 points.

II.3.2. During execution of works II.3.2.1. Monitoring of air quality, soil and noise During execution of work will measure monthly:

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• For air: - a matter; - a nitrogen oxides (NOx), oxides of lead, CO and CO2. • To Noise - a noise level during work execution - a noise level of work breaks • For soil The presence or absence of lumbricide works zone.

II.3.2.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring a) Flow monitoring During the works, the monitoring shall be performed in points 6, 7 and 8 (Fig.10). During the execution of work monitoring of flow will be the following timetable: • Continous measurement of water level in the 3 sections (points 6.7 and 8); • Periodical measurement of flow velocity in the section 2; • profiling sections - In a points 7 and 8, monthly - In a 6 point at the end of each stage of provided hydro arrangements. b) Monitoring of sediment transport in suspension Monitoring should be differentiated in time depending on the parameters measured and workstations: Continous measuring turbidity in points 6 and 7 will be made; Sampling for suspended sediment, used for calibration of sensors will be made monthly; Integrated proof in sections 3 and 5 will be made 5-7 times per year at high rates and low rates to cover the magnitude of variation with an assurance of 95%. c) Monitoring of suspension sediment transport The monitoring programme must be differentiated in time depending on the measured parameters and the work stations: Turbidity measuring in points 6 and 7 is once a month; Prelevation of samples for suspension sediments used for sensor calibration is made once a month; Integrated sampling in sections 3 and 5 is performed 5-7 times a year at high flows and small flows, in order to cover the variation amplitude of the flow with an assurance of 95%. d) Monitoring of morphological modifications • • • •

The morphological modifications monitoring programme shall consist of: echo sounding single beam in sector of point 6 (fig.10) 4 times a year (once each season); geodesic measurements for river bank morphology, 4 times a year, in the areas with obvious modifications in order to complete the land morphology; local measurements in the areas with significant modifications produced by the execution of the works (river bank line rectifications, drainage, etc.) ; water depth measurements in the areas with morphological modifications

e) Water quality The recommended frequency of sample prelevation for the determination of chemistry is: • From sediment (dredged material): 1 sample/month • From water: 1 sample/month

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The analysis of the characteristics is recommended to be carried out according to the national monitoring programme in force in Romania: Handbook for the modernization and development of the Integrated Monitoring System of the Waters in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Gazette, Part I no 234 bis of 15/03/2006.

II.3.2.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.3.2.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna During the execution of the works it is recommended to monitor the sturgeons and barbel by telemetry and of the other 13 species by classical methods. It is necessary to estimate the number of adult individuals transiting the works perimeter. Also the water turbidity must be monitored in order to evaluate a possible (temporary) clogging of the gravel habitats, preferred by the sturgeons. The sturgeon monitoring must be correlated with moment they reach the maximum height of the bottom sill and with the current speed on the cross section of the sill opening. We must estimate whether sturgeons can cross the sill, given the increased water speed determined by the reduction of the cross section. We shall have to check if the modification of the current speed affects the condition of the hard clay habitats, mainly by determining their clogging. Fish sampling must be done in spring, if possible before the spring flood, and in late summer, when juvenile fish can be sampled efficiently and determined. This also allows indirect documentation of seasonal migrations. In each side arm at least three different locations must be sampled (opening section close to the construction works, middle section and lower section) each time. Two methods, that are accepted as standard internationally, are obligatory for fish sampling but optionally additional methods are recommended. A) Electro fishing Along shallow banks (water depth < 3 m) the fish community must be sampled using electrofishing gear. By creating an electric field (direct current) in the water fish are narcotized and can be captured. After measuring length and weight and determination of species, the fish can be released unharmed. However, due to the high voltage and ampere used (>200 V, 12A), an experienced team is necessary to avoid damage to fish or humans involved. At least 10 strips of 200-400 m length each must be sampled during daylight and 4 additional strips during night. Capture efficiency of species and size classes must be recorded for later analysis. Individual strips should be located in the area according to habitat distribution, so all major habitat types are covered (e.g. sand banks, macrophytes, backwaters). Each strip must be measured (length, width) and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. B) Net fishing For capturing fish off the riparian zone different types of nets can be used. Most efficient are multi-meshed nets that allow capture of different sized fish and thus a greater variety of species in the open water. Each net must be measured (length, weight), exposition time recorded and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. Other nets that could be used instead are trammel nets (drifting or stationary). At least 2 nets must be exposed over night at each location (upper end, middle and lower end of side arms) at each sampling date. However, additional nets have to be set, if backwaters exists in the study are that might be affected. C) Additional optional methods Additional capture methods can be used, because they allow the capture of additional species or age classes. Along the riparian zone, on flat and bare banks fine-meshed beach-seine nets can be used for catching small fish. Over the cross section of flowing arms demersal lines with standardised hooks and baits can be used for capturing bottom dwelling species. Similar records are possible with fine-meshed bottom drift nets set in deep mid-channel areas.

II.3.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna a) Monitoring of aquatic flora During the execution works, the whole set of parameters in the reference data base shall be measured. Measurements shall be preferably made only once, during the following year, also in mid-season vegetation. If works extend over several years, these measurements shall be carried out at mid-interval of work execution. b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna

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During the execution of the works some qualitative changes may appear in the structure of the associations of benthic macro-invertebrates. It is necessary to monitor the composition of such associations in comparison with the data obtained in the previous period, before starting the execution works. The comparison shall be made both by the mere listing of taxons and by the calculation of Shannon indices. On Caleia Branch specially, a possible clogging of the hard clay habitats shall be monitored, due to the modification of the current speed. At the same time, a correlation with the granulometry and turbidity data is needed.

II.3.2.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna During the execution works, the whole set of parameters in the reference data base shall be measured. Measurements shall be preferably made only once, during the following year, also in mid-season vegetation. If works extend over several years, these measurements shall be carried out at mid0interval of work execution.

II.3.2.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna It is carried out on the same squares selected before starting the works described at (II.1.1.3.4) by using the methodology and frequency described in the introduction in order to collect the data necessary for the calculation of the previously described parameters. Comparative analyses shall be made that would reflect the population and distribution modifications over the bird fauna, as determined by the project works. II.3.3. After the execution of the works II.3.3.1. Monitoring of air quality, noise and soil After the execution of the works, the following elements shall be monitored during 3 years: • For the air: o suspension powders; o nitrogen oxides (NOx), lead oxides, CO and CO2. • For noise o Noise level for heavy naval traffic o Noise level for naval traffic zero • For the soil o Presence or absence of lumbricides in the works area Two sets of measurements shall be made per year for comparison with the reference levels obtained before starting the works. .

II.3.3.2. Hydromorphological Monitoring For a period of two years after the execution of the works, the monitoring shall be carried on in points 6, 7 and 8 (Fig.11). a) Water flow monitoring • • •

After the completion of the works the flow monitoring shall be made according to the following program: Continous Water level measuring in the 3 sections (points 6,7 and 8) ; Periodical flow rate measuring in the 2 sections ; Profiling of sections o In points 6, 7 and 8 every month;

b) Monitoring of suspension sediment transports The monitoring must be differentiated in time depending on the measured parameters and the work stations: Continous turbidity measuring in points 6 and 7 is ; Prelevation of samples for suspension sediments used for sensor calibration is made once a month; Integrated sampling in sections 3 and 5 is performed 5-7 times a year at high flows and small flows, in order to cover the variation amplitude of the flow with an assurance of 95%. c) Monitoring of morphological modifications

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The morphological modifications monitoring shall consist of: • • •

echo sounding single beam in sector of point 6 (fig.9) 4 times a year (once each season); geodesic measurements for river bank morphology, 4 times a year, in the areas with obvious modifications in order to complete the land morphology; water depth measurements in the areas with morphological modifications

d) Water quality The recommended frequency of sample prelevation for the determination of chemistry after the execution of the works, is: • From sediment: 1 sample/every 4 months • From water: 1 sample/every 4 months The analysis of the characteristics is recommended to be carried out according to the national monitoring programme in force in Romania: Handbook for the modernization and development of the Integrated Monitoring System of the Waters in Romania (SMIAR) of 13/01/2006, published in the Official Journal, Part I no. 234 bis of 15/03/2006.

II.3.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.3.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna After the completion of the works the sturgeons and barbel must be monitored by telemetry for a period of at least 3 years. The same will be necessary for the other 13 species. It is necessary to estimate both the granulometric structure of the holes with gravel bottom as well as the biomass of bentonic invertebrates agglomerated in these holes or behind the hydraulic dunes. The biomass indicator shall prove if feeding conditions have been modified, positively or negatively, after the completion of the works. Fish sampling must be done in spring, if possible before the spring flood, and in late summer, when juvenile fish can be sampled efficiently and determined. This also allows indirect documentation of seasonal migrations. In each side arm at least three different locations must be sampled (opening section close to the construction works, middle section and lower section) each time. Two methods, that are accepted as standard internationally, are obligatory for fish sampling but optionally additional methods are recommended. A) Electro fishing Along shallow banks (water depth < 3 m) the fish community must be sampled using electrofishing gear. By creating an electric field (direct current) in the water fish are narcotized and can be captured. After measuring length and weight and determination of species, the fish can be released unharmed. However, due to the high voltage and ampere used (>200 V, 12A), an experienced team is necessary to avoid damage to fish or humans involved. At least 10 strips of 200-400 m length each must be sampled during daylight and 4 additional strips during night. Capture efficiency of species and size classes must be recorded for later analysis. Individual strips should be located in the area according to habitat distribution, so all major habitat types are covered (e.g. sand banks, macrophytes, backwaters). Each strip must be measured (length, width) and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. B) Net fishing For capturing fish off the riparian zone different types of nets can be used. Most efficient are multi-meshed nets that allow capture of different sized fish and thus a greater variety of species in the open water. Each net must be measured (length, weight), exposition time recorded and GPS positioned for standardisation of results. Other nets that could be used instead are trammel nets (drifting or stationary). At least 2 nets must be exposed over night at each location (upper end, middle and lower end of side arms) at each sampling date. However, additional nets have to be set, if backwaters exists in the study are that might be affected. C) Additional optional methods Additional capture methods can be used, because they allow the capture of additional species or age classes. Along the riparian zone, on flat and bare banks fine-meshed beach-seine nets can be used for catching small fish. Over the cross section of flowing arms demersal lines with standardised hooks and baits can be used for capturing bottom dwelling species. Similar records are possible with fine-meshed bottom drift nets set in deep mid-channel areas.

II.3.3.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna

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a) Monitoring of aquatic flora The presence/absence of macrophytes will be the only parameter to be monitored. The prelevation can be made by a dredger with an opening of 20 cm x 50 cm, dredging on a length of 10 m, in the vicinity of the river banks (Donald & al, 2004). The prelevation frequency is once a year, in mid-season vegetation.

b) Monitoring of aquatic fauna The associations of bentonic macro-invertebrates shall be tested and the Shannon index will be calculated. After the completion of the works , the monitoring shall continue for at least one year, with a seasonal frequency (spring, summer, autumn and winter).

II.3.3.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna a) Monitoring of land flora During stage three (after the end of site activities and ecological restoration of the area where was located the construction site) only the following variables shall be maintained for monitoring: number of species, degree (consistency) of covering with vegetation (for both grasses and tree crowns), the ration between hydrophytes and mesophytes, the proportion of invasive species, the degree of colonization, the colonization speed (measured every year). For the estimation of parameters, the same methodology as for the measurements performed before starting the works shall be used.

II.3.3.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna It is carried out on the same squares selected before starting the works described at (II.1.1.3.4) by using the methodology and frequency described in the introduction in order to collect the data necessary for the calculation of the previously described parameters. Population and distribution tendencies of the bird fauna will be estimated after the completion of the project works.

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Figura 12 Location of points 10 (Caleia) and 09 (zone km 235-232) in the perimeter of Natural Park “Small Marsh of Braila”, park which overlaps the sites (ROSCI 0006) and (ROSPA005)

II.4. Monitoring program for the last critical points 03-09. Following to the first two years of activity, in the main working points : 01, 02, and 10, a decision shall be taken regarding the continuation or the abandoning of the second phase of the project. In the case of a favorable decision to its continuation, also including or not – as the case may be, the impacts mitigation measures, there shall be started also the works in the critical points: 03-09. In the Chapter II of this Report, the monitoring program was approached in two parts. A general one, with accent on the thematic monitoring, and a second one for the approaching of each of the three main critical points, for which there have been demanded details on the impact upon the Natura 2000 sites. In order to avoid excessive redundancy, to which we already have subdued in the subchapters II.1 – II.3, we have reduced the presentation of the program content on the other 7 critical points: 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08, and 09 only to the specific locations to each of them and at the sampling frequencies. For the rest it remains valid: the monitoring objectives for each of the work categories; sampling proceedings; necessary equipment and the required qualified personnel.

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Bottom sills are to be made in the points: 03A and 03B, 04A and 04B, and 07, along with only river bank protection works. The bottom sills do not have the amplitude of those from Bala – Borcea and from Caleia and they have effect at low water levels, on reduced sections and allow, alike those at Bala and Caleia, all year connectivity with the secondary river arms and the wetlands of their proximity. The local physico-chemical and biological modifications, expected at the works finalization are: -an increased rate of the sedimentation with finer particles, up-stream to the bottom sills, and an obvious modification of the drifted coarse sediments drowning degree, on the Danube, measurable by depth; -an increased rate of a limnophilous benthic fauna, inclusive of unionids, with species diversification; -the possibility to have some macrophzites also developed; -there also exists the risk of some euthophications with unicellular algae, in competition with macrophytes. The river bank protections are, almost always, accompanied by secondary installing of riparian lithophilous fauna and flora. These being the expectations, the hydro-morphological and biological modifications, there shall be monitored: -in the critical point upstream Seica 03A, the sampling points Km 329+500, and Km 328+500, meaning upstream and downstream the bottom sill; -in the critical point upstream Seica Aval 03B, the sampling points Km 327 + 500 and Km 326 + 500, meaning upstream and downstream the bottom sill; -in the critical point Ceacâru 04A, the sampling points Km 324 + 500 and Km 323 + 500, meaning upstream and downstream the bottom sill; -in the critical point Fermecatu 04B, the sampling points Km 322 + 500 and Km 321 + 500, meaning upstream and downstream the bottom sill; -in the critical point Fasolele 07, the sampling points Km 291 + 500 and Km 290 + 500, meaning upstream and downstream the bottom sill. - in the critical point 08, Atarnati area, km 265 + 500 and km 269 - in the critical point 09, Varsaturii area, km 233 + 500 and km 269 In Old Danube there is a single sampling point and it is situated for al the critical points at 1000 m upstream to the kilometers: 329, 327, 324, 322 and 291. The frequency of the measurements is semestrial at low and high waters before the beginning of the works per se in the working points and trimestrial, during the works, and following to their resuming. In addition, there shall be made measurements, in these points, only once, this very fall, before starting the works in the critical points of Bala, Epuraşu and Caleia. There shall not be made sturgeons catches/captures, but the migration and the stocks estimates shall be telemetrically watched in the sampling points, with equipment and means as detailed in the II.1.4.4. section.

II.5. Monitoring of works impact on Natura 2000 Sites The works for improvement of navigation conditions on the Danube between Calarasi and Braila are carried out on a perimeter overlapping both Natura 2000 sites (ROSCI 0006, ROSCI 0022, ROSPA 0039, ROSPA0017) as well as the Natural Park of Small Marsh of Braila (ROSPA005). Out of the 10 critical points of the project, only two, namely 10 (Caleia) and 09 (zone km 235-232) are within the perimeter of the National Park Balta Mică a Brăilei (Small Marsh of Braila) (ROSCI 0005) and of site (ROSCI 0006) (Fig. 12). The other points are distributed as follows: 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07 and 08 are in perimeter ROSCI 0022 - Canaralele Dunării (Fig. 14); 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B are also in perimeter ROSPA 0039 DunăreOstroave. (Fig. 13)

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Figura 13 Position the 6 work points (01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08) in the perimeter of site ROSPA 0039 Dunăre –Ostroave.

Fig. 14 Position of the 6 work points (01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08) in the perimeter of site ROSCI0022 Canaralele Dunării.

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The whole land surface affected by the site works represents 0.018% of the surface of the two sites and of the Natural Park Small Marsh of Braila. The land activities in the two points 09 and 10 are carried out on a cleared surface of 1.8 ha that represents 0.0062% of the park surface (of which 0.0021% in Caleia and 0.0040% in point 09). At points 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B a surface of 6.3 ha is cleared, representing 0.039% of the site Dunăre – Ostroave as follows: 0.0052% in point 01; 0.0064% in point 02; 0.0065% in point 03A; 0.0045% in point 03B; 0.0018% in point 04°, and 0.0142% in point 04B. At points 01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08 the cleared surface is of 8,2 ha representing 0.083% of the site Canaralele Dunării as follows: 0.0085% in point 01; 0.0105% in point 02; 0.0107% in point 03A; 0.0074% in point 03B; 0.0030% in point 04°, 0.0232% in point 04B; 0.0093% in point 07 and 0.010% in point 08. As regards the two critical points situated in the perimeter of the National Park of Braila’s Small Marsh, note must be taken that they are near Vărsătura Island (09) and the Small Island of Braila (10), both having the statute of sustainable management zone (buffer zone) according to the Regulations of the Natural Park Small Marsh of Braila. Thus, no critical point is located near any strictly protected zone and near an area of integral protection. According to Art. 14 of the Regulations of Natural Park Small Marsh of Braila « the observations on some climatic and hydrologic parameters of the abiotic environment and of the populations (mainly birds) represent a current activity for the administration and it is intended to permanently improve the inventory and the data on the evolution of the species and habitats existing in the Park perimeter. The field operators make observations on a well established route with special observation stations, twice a month, on standard forms » . In case of fish species mentioned for the site Canaralele of the Danube, the table below presents a few biological characteristics and the potential impact following the execution of the works:

II.5.1. Before the execution of works II.5.1.3. Biodiversity monitoring II.5.1.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna The migration is not affected in the case of populations of Alosa immaculata code 2491, as this species spawns its eggs in the water body and it is not dependant of a certain type of underlayer. The navigation conditions improvement works on the sector Calarasi- Braila have no significant impact on the populations of .A. tanaica code 41209. The accidental presence of the individuals of Rodeus sericeus amarus does not affect the size of the populations of this species. The monitoring shall take place as described for critical points 01, 02 and 10, included in the perimeter of the site Canaralele Dunării. II.5.1.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna Monitoring of the aquatic fauna (bentonic macro-invertebrates) and phytoplankton will be carried out as provided for critical points 01, 02 and 10, which are included in the perimeter of site Canaralele Dunării. There are no macrophyte species that make the object of the annexes of Habitats Directive.

II.5.1.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna The works for 8 of the 10 work points are carried out on Euro-American hybrid poplar plantations , at work point Epurasu there are fragments of willow alignments, and at point 08 the river bank is covered in arable land In the work points in the adjoining areas there are no species of land plants with special conservation statute that make the object of the Directive Habitats. The species with special statute mentioned in the Documentation elaborated by ICIM, in completion to the Report on the Environment Impact Assesment Study (EIM) in order to obtain the Approval Natura 2000 for the project “Improvement of the navigating conditions on the Danube between Calarasi and Braila (km 375 . km 170) and compensation measures” realized by ICIM Bucuresti and ICDEAPA Galati, Marsilea quadrifolia and Campanula romanica are not specific for the habitats of the 10 working points and their neighboring area, the water fern Marsilea quadrifolia vegetating in eutrophic, very shallow still waters, while the bellflowers Campanula romanica are endemic for the Macin Mountains and not for the water meadow vegetation. Also, the following types of habitats, mentioned in the same impact study and taken from the standard forms filled in for ROSCI0022 (Canaralele Dunarii) and for ROSPA0039 (Dunare –Ostroave): ponto-sarmatic broad-leaved under-wood bushes; ponto-sarmatic steppes; wood edge communities with high hydrophilic grasses from plain level to mountain and alpine level; alluvial meadows of Cnidion dubii; ponto-sarmatic forest vegetation with fluffy oak;

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mixed riparian forests with Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the large rivers (Ulmenion minoris); Euro-Siberian silvo-steppe vegetation of Quercus spp; Balkan-Pannonic forests of Quercus Cerris and common oak; none of them are present in the 10 working points or in the adjoining areas. The habitats characteristic for the Quercus species are present in the Danube Delta and in Dobrudgea region but not in the lower meadow of the Danube, nor on the islands. The populations of Bombina bombina code 1188 and Hyla arborea are not affected, as the works on the site destroy neither the reproduction places nor the feeding ones and they do not represent a barrier with effect of fragmentation of the habitat.

II.5.1.3.4. Bird fauna monitoring Annex 3 presents a list of the species of nesting birds and migrating birds from Annex I if the Directive Birds, for which the sites Natura 2000 were designated, where project activities are carried out or which are located in the vicinity of the areas of such activities.

II.5.2. During the execution of works II.5.2.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.5.2.3.1. Ichtyofauna monitoring The migration is not affected in the case of populations of Alosa immaculata code 2491, as this species spawns its eggs in the water body and it is not dependant of a certain type of sediment. The navigation conditions improvement works on the sector Calarasi- Braila have no significant impact on the populations of .A. tanaica code 41209. The accidental presence of the individuals of Rodeus sericeus amarus does not affect the size of the populations of this species. The monitoring shall take place as described for critical points 01, 02 and 10, included in the perimeter of the site Canaralele Dunării. II.5.2.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna Monitoring of the aquatic fauna (benthic macro-invertebrates) and phytoplankton will be carried out as provided for critical points 01, 02 and 10, which are included in the perimeter of site Canaralele Dunării. There are no macrophyte species that make the object of the annexes of Habitats Directive.

II.5.2.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna The works for 8 of the 10 work points are carried out on Euro-American hybrid poplar plantations, at work point Epurasu there are also fragments of willow alignments, and at point 08 the river bank is covered in arable land In the work points in the adjoining areas there are no species of land plants with special conservation statute that make the object of the Directive Habitats. The species with special statute mentioned in the Documentation, in completion to the Report on the Environment Impact Assesment Study (EIM) in order to obtain the Approval Natura 2000 for the project “Improvement of the navigating conditions on the Danube between Calarasi and Braila (km 375 . km 170) and compensation measures” realized by ICIM Bucuresti and ICDEAPA Galati, Marsilea quadrifolia and Campanula romanica are not specific for the habitats of the 10 working points and their neighboring area, the water fern Marsilea quadrifolia vegetating in eutrophic, very shallow still waters, while the bellflowers Campanula romanica are endemic for the Macin Mountains and not for the water meadow vegetation. Also, the following types of habitats, mentioned in the same impact study and taken from the standard forms filled in for ROSCI0022 (Canaralele Dunarii) and for ROSPA0039 (Dunare –Ostroave): ponto-sarmatic broad-leaved under-wood bushes; ponto-sarmatic steppes; wood edge communities with high hydrophilic grasses from plain level to mountain and alpine level; alluvial meadows of Cnidion dubii; ponto-sarmatic forest vegetation with fluffy oak; mixed riparian forests with Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Fraxinus excelsior or Fraxinus angustifolia, along the large rivers (Ulmenion minoris); Euro-Siberian silvo-steppe vegetation of Quercus spp; Balkan-Pannonic forests of Quercus Cerris and common oak; none of them are present in the 10 working points or in the adjoining areas. The habitats characteristic for the Quercus species are present in the Danube Delta and in Dobrudgea region but not in the lower meadow of the Danube, nor on the islands.

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The populations of Bombina bombina code 1188 and Hyla arborea are not affected as the works on the site do not destroy neither the reproduction places nor the feeding ones and they do not represent a barrier with effect of fragmentation of the habitat II.5.2.3.4. Bird fauna monitoring For the species in Annex 3 of the Birds Directive, having significant populations according to the criteria for site assignment, the preliminary observations made in 2009, allowed for the formulation of the following conclusions regarding the possible impact of the works. If the bird monitoring reveals significant negative effects over the populations of birds during the execution of the works, the necessary measures for their reduction shall have to be identified and implemented. II.5.3. After the execution of works II.5.3.3. Monitoring of biodiversity II.5.3.3.1. Monitoring of ichtyofauna The monitoring shall take place as described for critical points 01, 02 and 10, included in the perimeter of the site Canaralele Dunării.

II.5.3.3.2. Monitoring of aquatic flora and fauna Monitoring of the aquatic fauna (benthic macro-invertebrates) and phytoplankton will be carried out as provided for critical points 01, 02 and 10, which are included in the perimeter of site Canaralele Dunării. There are no macrophyte species that make the object of the annexes of Habitats Directive.

II.5.3.3.3. Monitoring of land flora and fauna The works for 8 of the 10 work points are carried out on Euro-American hybrid poplar plantations, at work point Epurasu there are also fragments of willow alignments, and at point 08 the river bank is covered in arable land In the work points in the adjoining areas there are no species of land plants with special conservation statute that make the object of the Directive Habitats. The populations of Bombina bombina code 1188 and Hyla arborea are not affected as the works on the site do not destroy neither the reproduction places nor the feeding ones and they do not represent a barrier with effect of fragmentation of the habitat II.5.3.3.4. Monitoring of bird fauna (as above) Final statement Depending on the monitoring results obtained during the execution of the works and after the first year from the completion of the works, the decision will be taken if special measures are necessary to bring back the reference values of the species to the level registered before the starting moment of the works. The monitoring of the bottom sills construction from Bala and Ostrovul Lupu will be performed at least in 4 stages namely after fixing the fagot mattresses; after placing 50% of the stones of the bottom sill; after finalizing the stones body of the bottom sill; after covering the bottom sill with blocks of stones; Depending on the monitoring results it will be decided if further works are necessary or if the works should be stopped. If the monitoring results will reflect that the sturgeons cannot cross the bottom sill, the Romanian authorities will demolish the structures built, up to the level reflected by the monitoring results as being proper for the sturgeon migration. It must be stressed out that, if during the monitoring, at the level of bottom sill, there shall be noticed significant effects, then there shall be applied the most appropriate mitigation measures mentioned above; if these measures shall not have the expected success and no compensatory measures will be identified, then the alternative of dropping off the work on bottom sill shall be assumed by the Government of Romania, because Romania is responsible for ensuring the minimum navigation conditions on the Danube according to the Danube Commission recommendations as Romania is one of it’s Member States. The periods forbided for carrying the works on land and on the bottom sills and guiding walls are presented below: Table 19 The periods forbided for carrying the works on land and on the bottom sills and guiding walls

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Fist year of execution Months 1-12

Second year of execution Months 1-12 Land works

Third year of execution Months 1-12

Bottom sills and guiding walls

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS Abt. - about APIA - Agency for Payments and Investments in Agriculture ASRO SR_EN – Romanian Standard (in English) ANAR – National Administration of the Romanian Waters ADCP - Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler ADV - Acoustic Doppler Velocity BMWP - Biomonitoring Water Protocol CNAR - National Administration of the Romanian Waters CITES – International Convention for Trade with Species DEF – Danube Envinronmental Forum EMP - Environment Monitoring Program EIS - Environmental Impact Study EIA - Environmental Impact Assesment HQA - Habitat Quality Assessment HMS - Habitat Modification Score IAD – International Association for Danube Research ICIM – Research Institute for Environment Engeneering ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River ICDEAPA Galati – Reasearch and Development Institute for Fish Administration INHGA - National Hydrology and Water Management Institute IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature LEPAs - Local Agencies for Environment Protection MO - Official Journal RBMP - River Basin Management Plan RBMWP -Romanian Biomonitoring Water Protocol RHS - River Habitat Survey field method RIVPACS - Macro-invertebrate Sampling Protocol RENAR – Romanian Certification Agency REPA Galati - Regional Agency for the Environment Protection in Galati ROMSILVA – National Forest Administration RO SCI – Romanian Site of Community Interest RO SPA – Romanian Special Protection Area SCI - Sites of Community Interest SPA – Special Protection Area SMIAR - Integrated Monitoring System of the Waters in Romania WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature WFD – Water Framework Directive List of Figures: Map 1.Hydrotechnical working places in the RO SCI OO22 – Canaralele Dunarii Map 2.Hydrotechnical working places in the RO SCI OO6 – Balta Mica a Brailei Map.3.Lupu Isle between Caleia and Old Danube arms Map 4. Position of Natura 2000 sites(SPA şi SCI) and work critical navigation points – sector Călăraşi -Brăila Photo 1 and Photo 2. Izvoarele Platform – place of anchorage and storage construction materials for the both points of work 01- Bala and 02 – Epurasu Island Photo 3. and Photo 4. Anchorage place for the boats at Gropeni (Caleia Branch – cr.point 10)

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Fig. 1. Area of Critical Point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area, in 2008 (acc. to Wikimapia) Fig. 2. Zone cleared at Critical Point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area in 2003 (acc. to Google Earth) Fig. 3. Metric frame (quadrat) Fig. 4. Points counting scheme for Birds Fig. 5 – Birds observing and recording area Fig.6. Flow monitoring point Bala Fig.7.Monitoring of critical point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area Fig.8. Measuring flow rate for the realization of izotach sections in the bottom sill area anf of flow calculation sections. Fig.9. Monitoring of morphological modifications Fig.10.Monitoring of critical point 02, Epuraşu (Lebăda) Island Area Fig.11. Location monitoring points of hydromorphological parameters in point 10, Caleia, Ostrovu Lupu, Balta Mica a Brăilei site. Fig. 12. Location of points 10 (Caleia) and 09 (zone km 235-232) in the perimeter of Natural Park “Small Marsh of Braila”, park which overlaps the sites (ROSCI 0006) and (ROSPA005) Fig. 13. Pozition the 6 work points (01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08) in the perimeter of site ROSPA 0039 Dunăre –Ostroave Fig. 14. Position of the 6 work points (01, 02, 03A, 03B, 04A, 04B, 07, 08) in the perimeter of site ROSCI0022 Canaralele Dunării List of Tables: Table 1. Type of habitats in the RO SCI 0022 site and their existence within the works perimeter Table 2. Effects of the works on the riparian water habitats Table 3 – Fish species reffered into the Annex 6/OM 1964/2007 on setting up natural protected areas regime for sites of community interest, as integrated part of the Natura 2000 ecological network in Romania , within the Canaralele Dunarii Site Table 4 Habitates in the RO SCI 006 site on the base which the site was declared as SCI Table 5. Synoptic table of the effects of the works on the habitats and species from the community interest sites (SIC) - Natura 2000 Table 6. Synoptic table of the effects of the works on the habitats and species from the special protected areas (SPA) - Natura 2000 Table 7. Evaluation categories, component characteristics, and features of a current hydro-morphological evaluation Table 8. Indicators / threshold values for vegetation monitoring Table 8 bis. Habitat Modification Score Table 9. Recommended periods for sturgeon migration monitoring Table 10. Fishing Sampling methods in different category 5 river habitats Table 11. Necessary equipement for sturgeon monitoring Table 12. Bird (& other vocal animal) point count data Table 13. Nocturnal bird broadcast calling survey Table 14. Velocity and morphodynamic processes monitoring in outlined regions Table 15. Chemical and physico-chemical elements for water (ord.161/2006) Table 16. Necessary equipment for Benthos sampling and lab processing of the biological material Table 17.Reccommended sizes for the net holes of benthos sampling Table 18 Quality Classes for benthic macro invertebrates individuals Table 19.The periods forbided for carrying the works on land and on the bottom sills and guiding walls List of Annexes Annex 1. Ciolac A. 2004 Migration of fishes in Romanian Danube River. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 2 (1), 143-163 Annex 2. After A. Dr. Christian Wiesner O. Univ. Prof. Dr. Mathias Jungwirth, letter addressed to DG Regio, 2007 Annex 3. List of bird species listed in RO SPA 005, RO SPA 17 and RO SPA 0039 Annex 4: Table 1. Status and characteristic traits of sturgeons from the Danube River as compiled from literature (Reinnartz, 2002, modified) Table 2 Important event for Danube River sturgeon species Table 3 Legal and conservation status of Danube River sturgeons Annex 5. Resume of the environmental Monitoring Programme for the critical point 01 Bala Caragheorghe

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Annex 6. Resume of the environmental Monitoring Programme for the critical point 02 Epurasu Annex 7. Resume of the environmental Monitoring Programme for critical point 10 Caleia (Gropeni) Annex 8. Environmental mitigation measures at designed stage, during contruction and operation

BIBLIOGRAPHY ***Action Plan for the Conservation of the Sturgeons (Acipenseridae) in the Danube River Basin Document compiled and edited by: Jürg Bloesch, Tim Jones, Ralf Reinartz, Beate Striebel Strasbourg, 5 October 2005 TPVS / Inf (2005) 12 CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF EUROPEAN WILDLIFE AND NATURAL HABITATS Standing Committee 25th meeting Strasbourg, 28 November-1 December 2005 Anuja Parikh & Nathan Gale, 1998, Vegetation Monitoring of Created Dune Swale Wetlands, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, Society for Ecological Restoration Bacalbasa-Dobrovici, N., Suciu, R (1996 ) First International Workshop - The Status and Recovery of Danubian Sturgeons. The Sturgeon Quarterly, New York, vol. 4 (3): 8 – 9 Bacalbasa-Dobrovici, N., Suciu, R. (1997) Lower Danube Fisheries Collapse and Prediction. In: Hancock,D.A. et al (editors)- Proceedings of 2nd World Fisheries Congress, Brisbane, Australia, CSIRO Publishing: 78 – 84 Ciolac A. 2004 Study of migratory sturgeon captures in Romanian side of Danube River. Ciolac A. 2004 Migration of fishes in Romanian Danube River. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 2, (1), 143-163 Ciolac A., Patriche N., 2004 Biological aspects of main marine migratorz Sturgeons in Romanian Danube River . in : Migration of Fishes in Romanian Danube River, No.4 Applied Ecologz and Environmental Research 3 )2: 101106. COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7) COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC) (OJ L 103, 25.4.1979, p. 1) Directive 2006/105/EC of 20 November 2006 adapting Directives 73/239/EEC, 74/557/EEC and 2002/83/EC in the field of environment, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania Debruxelles N. · Claessens H., Lejeune P.· Rondeux J., 2008, Design of a watercourse and riparian strip monitoring system for environmental management, Environ Monit Assess, DOI 10.1007/s10661-008-0496-y EU COMMISSION - Directive 2000/60 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. EU COMMISSION Directiva 2002/49/ CE privind evaluarea şi managementul zgomotului ambiental -HG 321/14.04.2005 –privind evaluarea şi managenentul zgomotului ambiental -HG 321/14.04.2005 –privind evaluarea şi managenentul zgomotului ambiental reactualizata si publicata in MO din 10 ianuarie 2008 E.U. COMMISSION (1978) (78/659/EU). Directive on the quality of freshwater for the protection and improvement of the conservation of fish life. Official Journal of the European Communities. No222/1/ 14.8.78. E.U. COMMISSION (1980) (80/778/EU). Directive on the quality of drinking water. Official Journal of the European Communities. No229/11/ 30.8.80. E.U. COMMISSION (1997). Proposal for a Council Directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Communities. NoC184/20/17.6.97. E.U. COMMISSION (1998). Amended Proposal for a Council Directive establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (COM(97)49 final). Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty. 17.02.1998.

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Eveniment ICPDR, organizat la Intercontinental, 15-16 noiembrie 2007 - MONITORIZAREA CALITATII RESURSELOR DE APA IN ROMANIA Gervais, JA, DK Rosenberg, and RG Anthony. 2003. Space Use and Pesticide Exposure Risk of Male Burrowing Owls in an Agricultural Landscape. Journal of Wildlife Management. 67(1): 155-164 Gheorghe Iuliana Florentina, 2008, Fitocenologie şi VegetaŃia României”, Ed. Didactică şi Pedagogică, 120 pag. HOTĂRÂRE nr. 321 din 14 aprilie 2005 privind evaluarea şi gestionarea zgomotului ambiant*) - Republicare ISO/DIS 5667-1 / 2005 – Water quality – Sampling, Part 1: Guidance on the design of sampling tachniques, pag 13 – 19 Janauer G.A., 2002 - Guidance on the Assessment of Aquatic Macrophytes in the River Danube, in Water Bodies of the Fluvial Corridor and in uts Tributaries – www.midcc.at Kane, KL, EE Klaas, KL Anderson, PD Brown, and RL McNeely. 2003. The Iowa Gap Analysis Project Final Report. Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. Kent, TH, and JJ Dinsmore. 1996. Birds in Iowa. Thomson-Shore, Inc. Dexter, Michigan. MacKenzie, DI, JD Nichols, GB Lachman, S Droege, JA Royle, and CA Langtimm. 2002. Estimating Site Occupancy Rates when Detection Probabilities are Less than One. Ecology. 83: 2248-225 Kynard, B., Suciu, R., Horgan, M. (2002) Telemetry and tag return studies of Danube River sturgeons, 1998-2000. Proceedings of The 4th International Symposium on Sturgeon, Oshkosh, WI, J. Appl. Ichthyol. 18: 529 – 535 Limnologia sectorului românesc al Dunării, Edit. Acad. RSR, 1967, p. 287-307 Manley, PN, B Van Horne, JK Roth, WJ Zielinski, MM McKenzie, TJ Weller, FW Wackerly, and C Hargis. 2004. Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Technical Guide. Review Draft. USDA Forest Service, Washington Office, Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff, Wildlife Fish Watershed Air Research Staff. Manual pentru modernizarea şi dezvoltarea Sistemului de Monitoring Integrat al Apelor din România (SMIAR) din 13/01/2006 Publicat in Monitorul Oficial, Partea I nr. 234 bis din 15/03/2006 Năvodaru I. (Edit.) 2008 Estimarea stocurilor de peşti şi pescăriilor. Editura Dobrogea, ConstanŃa, 295 pp Ordinul ministrului nr. 161 din 16.02.2006 pentru aprobarea Normativului privind clasificarea calităŃii apelor de suprafaŃă în vederea stabilirii stării ecologice a corpurilor de apă Ordinul 262/2006 privind Conservarea populatiilor de sturioni din apele naturale si dezvoltarea acvaculturii de sturioni in Romania, publicat in Monitorul Oficial nr. 385 din 4 mai 2006 Ordinul nr. 1861/2008 din 12/11/2008 Publicat in Monitorul Oficial, Partea I nr. 772 din 18/11/2008 OŃel V. 2007 Atlasul peştilor din RezervaŃia Bisferei Delta Dunării. "Cuget Liber" Press Trust, Constanta, 481 pp Scrădeanu Daniel, 2004, Hidrogeologie generală. Editura UniversităŃii Bucureşti SR EN 14614 / 2005, ASRO – Calitatea apei. Ghid pentru evaluaraea caracteristicilor hidromorfologice ale raurilor (Guidance standard for assessing the hydromorphological features of rivers) p.15-16 SR EN 14184 / 2004, ASRO pbl. In august 2006 – Calitatea apei. Ghid pentru studiul macrofitelor acvatice din apele curgatoare (Guidance standard for the surveyng of aquatic macrophytes in running waters) – pag.7-10, 1213 SR EN 15204 / 2007, ASRO – Calitatea apei. Ghid pentru analiza de rutina a abundentei si compozitiei fitoplanctonului prin utilizarea microscopiei inverse (Metoda Utermoehl) – Guidance standard on the enumeration of phytoplankton using inverted microscopy (Utermoehl technique) SR EN ISO 8689-1 / 2003, ASRO – Calitatea apei. Clasificarea biologica a raurilor. Partea 1: Ghid pentru interpretarea datelor biologice de calitate obtinute din studierea macronevertebratelor bentonice – Biological classification of rivers. Part.1: Guidance on the interpretation of biological quality data surveys of benthic macroinvertebrates - pag.5

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SR EN 14962 / 2006, ASRO – Calitatea apei. Ghid pentru domeniul de aplicare si metodele de prelevare pesti. Guidance on the scope and selection of fish sampling methodes – pag 16-17

SR EN ISO 9391 / 2000 – Prelevarea macronevertebratelor din ape adanci. Ghid pentru folosirea prelevatoarelor de colonizare, a prelevatoarelor calitative si cantitative. Sampling in deep waters for macro-invertebrates. Guidance on the use of colonization, qalitative and quantitative samplers Suciu R., 2008 – Sturgeons of the NW Black Sea and Lower Danube River Countries, Mexico 2008 Conference Suciu, R., Bacalbasa-Dobrovici, N., Ene, C., Ene F. (1995) Recovery plan of marine sturgeon populations migrating into the Danube River. AQUQROM ´95, Galati: 133-136 Suciu, R., Ene, F., Bacacalbasa-Dobrovici, N. (1998) New data on the distribution of young of the year sturgeon in the lower Danube river. Proceedings of AQUAROM ’98, Galatz: 50 – 53 Tilton D. L., Shaw Karen, Ballard B. and Thomas C., 2004, Wetland Protection Plan for the Lower One Subwatershed of the Rouge River, Supplemental Report, February 2004, 89 pages Vecsei, P., Suciu, R., Peterson, R. (2002) Threatened fishes of the world: Huso huso (Linnaeus, 1785) (Acipenseridae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 65: 363 – 365 Zohrer et al. 2005. The Iowa Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan http://www.wikimapia.org/ http://www.lotek.com/breeze/otn/ A. Dr. Christian Wiesner O. Univ. Prof. Dr. Mathias Jungwirth –letters addressed to DG Environment

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