1. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 1 The EU life project WAgriCo as a contribution for the implementation of the EC WFD GroPro Groundwater Protection Plans and Implementation in a North European Perspective Korsör 15-17 September 2008

2. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 2 Content Starting point – The Lower Saxon co-operation model WAgriCo – Experiences, results and conclusions WAgriCo – Contributions to the implementation of the WFD

3. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 3 The Federal States Lower Saxony (LS) Total area 48.000 km²

4. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 4 Land Use in Lower Saxony Total area 48.000 km² Agricultural Use 30.500 km² (64%) - Arable Land 19.200 km² (63%) - Pasture 11.300 km² (37%) Forest 10.700 km² (23%) 52.000 Farmers

5. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 5 Pressures - N-surpluses from agriculture (1999-2003) N-surpluses from agriculture (1999-2003) Reference: LBEG / FZ Jülich

6. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 6 Co-operative Approach in Water Catchments Stakeholders: Water management authority Local water supplier Ch. of Agriculture Farmers spokesman Advisory service Approx. 115 Co- operations cover ca. 280.000 ha statewide ca. 10.000 Farmers

7. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 7 The Co-operative Approach Free Advisory Service –Individual voluntary consulting service for agriculture, forestry and market gardening Voluntary Agreements –Negotiation of Voluntary Agreements to implement measures for groundwater protection (Catalologue of Measures, e.g. catch crops, maize with undersown grass, N reduced crop rotation systems, new techniques for slurry application …) Efficiency Control

8. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 8 Lessons learned from the co-operative approach in LS Evident reduction of diffuse pollution by the co-operative approach. A sustainable water resources management needs a strong stakeholder participation. The implemantation of measures needs to be accompanied by an advisory service. Efficient monitoring strategy is necessary. Forward looking strategies in view of EU WFD

9. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 9 Compliance with the requirements of the WFD means a reduction of diffuse pollution – 2010 implementation of measures! WAgriCo – Objectives Based on longtime experience in (ground-)water protection strategies in LS and the UK working on strategies for large scale implementation: Concepts for measure planning and implementation of measures to reduce diffuse pollution – based on a stakeholder approach Reduction requirements and impact of measures Concept for impact monitoring Implementation of integrated PoMs into Agri-Environmental Programmes Statewide and international transfer of experience from the pilot areas to enhance the stakeholder approach

10. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 10 WAgriCo Project Partners in LS and UK Lower Saxony Ministry for Environment and Climate Protection Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (Beneficiary, Coordinator) State Agency for Mining, Energy and Geology Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries Research Centre Jülich UK Water Industry Research ADAS UK Ltd. National Farmers Union Environment Agency Wessex Water Services Limited Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

11. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 11 Lager-Hase Ilmenau/Jeetzel Große Aue Pilot Areas in Lower Saxony

12. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 12 Pilot Areas in the United Kingdom

13. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 13 Important steps in WAgriCo Measure compilation and implementation Measure evaluation and measure impact Modelling the effects on large scale

14. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 14 Measure compilation and implementation in LS + 1. turn 2. turn3. turn -Voluntary Agreements (water protection areas) - Agri-environmental schemes - other projects Not suitable on state level Further qualification Suitable measures (action and result-oriented) + Measure implementation Autumn/Winter 2006 4. turn ++ Measure implementation Spring 2007 Measure implementation Autumn/Winter 2007 Measure implementation Spring 2008

15. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 15 Active Greening Reduced tillage (maize, sugar beet) Application of farmyard manure (new techniques, time restrictions) Optimised mineral fertilizing Categories of Measures

16. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 16 Pilot AreaLager Hase Große Aue Ilmenau/ Jeetzel Sum of agricultural area [ha] per season Number of farms22131752 Fall 20066901604681318 Spring 20072013734591033 Fall 200715713657432679 Spring 20082206042951119 Sum of agricultural area [ha] per pilot area 2682150219656149 Implementation of measures within the pilot areas of LS

17. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 17 Participation process Feed back from local farmer groups in pilot areas Discussion in expert groups and national steering group Discussion and exchange with ministries for environment and agriculture

18. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 18 Measure evaluation and measure impact Criteria Ecological impact (SMN, N-Balance) Acceptance (factors affecting acceptance, potential area for implementation, time restrictions) Economic analysis (e.g.transaction costs) Based on long term experience from the co-operative approach in water catchments and research projects Compilation of characteristics for every measure

19. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 19 EffectPaymentEfficiencyPotential areaAcceptance [kg N/ha][€/ha][€/kg N][ha][%] 301204 Summer crops with early harvest in previous year 40 Secure effect High cost- efficiency Large potential area High acceptance Costs, effects and acceptance: e. g. catch crops

20. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 20 Modelling the effects of measures implementation 1.Which are the target areas (individual hydro- geological units as part of the gw-bodies)) for measure implementation in LS? 2.What reduction is required in the individual hydro- geological units? 3.What can be achieved by optimum implementation?

21. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 21 Target areas for the implementation of water protection measures Reference: Draft LBEG, 03.04.2008 WFD – Target areas for the implementation of water protection measures

22. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 22 < 5 5 - 7,5 7,5 - 10 10 - 12,5 12,5 - 18 NO3-Reduction (mg / l ) Effects of measure implementation Mean reduction of NO 3 -concentration in the hydro-geological units Modelling results: achievable reduction in nitrate concentrations

23. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 23 Effects of measure implementation Reduction of nitrate concentration in relation to target value < 25 25 - 50 50 - 75 75 - 100 Proportion of required reduction (% ) Modelling results: probability of target achievement

24. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 24 Objective: Programme of Measures Components Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring

25. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 25 Result-Oriented Measure Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring Innovative Approach: Funding an improved N-efficiency on farm level Farmer is free in his decision for optimising strategies Sound support by advisory service Constraints Data collation is very time consuming Very heterogeneous database according to farmtype Statewide comparable and reliable data base is necessary according to EU requirements Work will continue (e.g. standardisation) Discussion to integrate this approach into an advisory measure

26. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 26 Efficient measure planning and implementation should be accompa- nied by advisory service! Multi-level advisory service (basic, intensive) Assignment with initial and further training Service Advisory Service Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring

27. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 27 Proposal for a Catalogue of Measures Concept for a Result- Oriented Measure Advisory Service Impact Monitoring State level: Basic emission survey (agricultural statistics) Soil observation sites Statewide measuring network (WFD) Farm level: Modellfarm network - Calculatory: N-balance on farm and parcel level - Analytically: SMN; groundwater samples Impact Monitoring

28. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 28 There is evidence for considerable reductions in NO 3 -concentrations by the application of the investigated measures. - But reduction targets are not achievable in all areas only with action-oriented measures (e.g. high percentage of arable land and high livestock density). Measures implementation has to be supported by qualified advisory services. Additional effects have to be considered: - more intensive production due to increase of agricultural commodity prices - expected reduction of N-surpluses due to new version of fertilizer ordinance in LS Additional efforts have to be made to achieve the targets of the WFD: - increase of N-efficiency on the farms by consultancy and education - innovative measures (e.g. „result-oriented measures“) - technical solutions (e.g. „storage capacity”) Conclusions from LS and UK

29. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 29 Guideline for stakeholder participation Methodology for setting geographic priorities Concept for measure planning and implementation Proposal for a catalogue of efficient action-oriented measures to be implemented into agri-environmental schemes Experiences with a result-oriented measure Concept for advisory service and further and initial training Concept for impact monitoring (farm, regional, state level) Transfer of experience into river basin cooperations (forum of the stakeholders in the river basins in LS) WAgriCo – Contributions for the implementation of the WFD

30. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 30 Thank You for Your Attention!

31. Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency WAgriCo – GroPro Conference Korsör 15-17 September 2008 Hubertus Schültken, Hilke Prange; Groundwater Management NLWKN Nr.: 31 Further Information: WAgriCo Overall Coordination Dr. Astrid Krüger NLWKN-Direktion Göttinger Chaussee 76A 30453 Hannover Tel.: 0511/3034-3053 Astrid.Krueger@nlwkn-dir.niedersachsen.de WAgriCo Technical Coordination Hubertus Schültken NLWKN Bst. Hannover-Hildesheim Göttinger Chaussee 76A 30453 Hannover Tel.: 0511/3034-3016 Hubertus.Schueltken@nlwkn-h.niedersachsen.de Contact: www.wagrico.de and www.wagrico.org