Current Hydro Dam Mitigation Challenges

Environmental Threats in Protected Areas:

Many proposed hydropower projects are situated in protected areas or regions of significant ecological importance, raising concerns about potential violations of international conventions such as the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, EU directives (Habitats, Birds, and Water Framework), and national legislation. The construction of these projects poses a substantial risk to freshwater ecosystems, endangering 49 fish species, including 18 endemic ones, with the looming threat of extinction.

Lack of Comprehensive River Basin Management:

None of the Western Balkan countries has comprehensive river basin management plans covering all rivers, leaving many rivers without any such plans. Additionally, the legal protection of Emerald/Natura 2000 Network sites within national legislation is lacking. Despite these gaps, there has been a notable improvement in understanding the value of critical rivers and developing mechanisms to shield them from hydropower projects. The public's effective opposition has successfully halted numerous projects in areas rich in biodiversity (refer to details below).

Legislative Changes and Increasing Opposition:

Recent legislative changes in several countries have raised barriers for investors pursuing environmentally damaging projects. Bulgaria, through its Water Act, has explicitly forbidden the construction of new plants in Natura 2000 sites. Western Balkan countries have, to some extent, incorporated EU nature legislation, with ongoing efforts to complete this alignment. The Ombla hydropower plant in Croatia serves as a prime example, having been halted after a comprehensive Appropriate Assessment revealed significant unmitigable negative impacts.

Debunking the Mitigation Myth:

The belief in mitigating biodiversity impacts through hydropower has been debunked by scientific studies. Even with the most advanced fish pass systems, dams still inflict severe harm on fish species, with over half of individuals either perishing or unable to utilize the facility. These findings underscore the inadequacy of mitigation measures associated with hydropower projects. The scientific consensus now emphasizes that the only effective means to fully restore biodiversity is the removal of dams.