Banca dati dei progetti dei PSR
Preventative Maintenance of a Riverbed and its Hinterland to Reduce Environmental Risk
Summary
The proper maintenance of riverbeds in low mountain areas is of strategic value. It lowers hydro-geological risk. A small public-private consortium made the most of measure 226 and optimised the use of the waste wood created during the project.
Background
The amount of funds devoted to the prevention of hydraulic risks in mountain areas by national and regional authorities in Italy had decreased significantly in the previous 5 years. Funds tended to be assigned to investment in infrastructure (e.g. roads, bridges, etc.). Proper maintenance of riverbeds and of their surrounding areas nevertheless plays a key role in managing water courses. Moreover, the type of intervention practiced by relevant authorities tended to be very simple and rarely paid due attention to biodiversity issues.
Objective
The Consorzio Forestale Valli Stura e Orba (a public-private partnership with over 100 members) applied for funds from measure 226 in order to carry out - after more than 30 years - a much needed series of intervention on the woodland bordering the Valberlino creek. This involved selecting the trees to be cut and improving the state of the riverbed and its nearby areas. The other main goal was to find a suitable destination for the waste wood.
Main activities
After three distinct preparatory actions - finding an agreement with private owners whose estates where affected by the intervention plan; requesting the necessary work permits; and identifying the best use of the waste wood that would be produced - concrete operations on the woodland began. The project effected nearly 1 km of riverbeds, on both sides. The range of treated woodland areas were managed to maintain and enhance their biodiversity potential.
Results & Benefits
The partnership created a best practice example for future interventions, maximising the structural diversity of the treated woodlands. It also managed to re-open and render safer access to the Valberlino creek. Almost 50% of the resulting wood (200 tonnes) was sent to a small biomass plant (1.2 thermal Mw), in the Rossiglione municipality, just 5 km away from the creek. The heat generated served a series of public buildings (including the hospital, a sport centre and a Red Cross office).
Lessons learnt
There were a number of key learnings. The preparatory phase represents a strong challenge as it is fairly time-consuming (as it involved contacting the various owners and filing work permits). The full municipality cooperation in this project was a key success factor in starting and completing the planned works.
Project location and other information
Rossiglione municipality, Province of Genova
Region
Liguria
RDP Territory
Liguria
Total project cost (€)
121 236
EAFRD contribution (€)
47 282
National contribution (€)
61 793
Private contribution (€)
12 161
Project website
Contact name
Paolo Derchi
Telephone
+39 0108392626
Languages for contact
Italian
At a glance
Country
Italy
Final beneficiary type
Forester, Producer groups, Public/local authorities
Budget range
€100 000 - €500 000
Start date:
01/03/2011
End Date:
30/09/2012
Theme / Measure:
Environment and Sustainable Resource Management
Sustainable use of forestry land
226. Restoring forestry potential and introducing prevention actions
Keywords:
Forest management, Freshwater ecosystem, Biomass, Mountain area, Water
Last update
29/01/2014