Measures in transitional and coastal waters Funding
Coastal areas of the North Sea and also the estuaries of the rivers, which are characterized by salt water, are often polluted by hydraulic engineering measures and material impairments of water quality.
The transitional and coastal waters funding measure supports projects that serve to improve the environmental status in transitional and coastal waters, which is endangered in particular by diffuse pressures from agriculture and by shipping requirements. In particular, this is intended to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the EC Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the EC Marine Strategy Framework Directive (EC-MSFD), while at the same time strengthening the sustainable development of rural areas and preserving the natural heritage. The North Sea as a whole also benefits from this.
Who should I contact?
The responsibility lies with the Lower Saxony State Agency for Water Management, Coastal Protection and Nature Conservation (NLWKN).
Responsible authorities
Niedersächsischer Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz (NLWKN)
Requirements
Funding is provided for projects that serve to restore good ecological status in the area of transitional and coastal waters (ÜKW). These include the following projects:
- Investments in the creation of natural habitats in ÜKW, in particular seagrass regeneration and patency,
- investments to restore natural tidal dynamics (e.g. production of tidal polders),
- projects to reduce nutrient inputs into coastal waters;
- investments to restore the natural sedimentary dynamics of transitional waters;
- Other necessary expenditure that is factually and directly related to the above-mentioned projects, such as planning, conceptual preparatory work and surveys, accompanying and subsequent control investigations including accompanying quality assurance projects, special purpose research and individual case investigations, acquisition of land as well as compensation or redemption payments, acquisition of new machines, equipment and systems, public relations measures and further training, in particular, model and pilot projects for the development and application of water-conserving land management systems.
The projects are initially to be concentrated on the Ems area and should be transferable to other estuaries.
Projects for which there is a legal obligation (e.g. binding compensation measures) are not eligible.
Eligible applicants
- Local authorities and public bodies
- Legal entities that perform water management or other tasks relevant to the environment in this regard
The projects must take into account the requirements of water management, environmental protection and nature conservation and landscape management, taking into account the principles of sustainable water management, and serve to improve the ecological quality components or the chemical status of the waters in accordance with the EC WFD.
Applications / forms
The competent authority shall set application deadlines in agreement with the department responsible for the programme. The announcement is made on the website of the Lower Saxony State Agency for Water Management, Coastal Protection and Nature Conservation (NLWKN).
Applications for funding must be submitted to the NLWKN using the official application form.
Which documents are required?
Documents may be required. Please contact the competent authority.
What are the fees?
Fees may apply, please contact the competent authority.
What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?
Deadlines may have to be observed. Please contact the competent authority.
Legal basis
- Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 on support for rural development from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
- Directive on the granting of grants for the promotion of projects in transitional and coastal waters (Directive on Transitional and Coastal Waters - ÜKW)