At the forum held in Mittersill on 31 March – 1 April, participants had the opportunity to share their experience with federal and regional government representatives as well as learn and discuss about current flood control projects.

This second seminar of its type, attracting more than 100 participants, was held under the patronage of Johann Höllwerth, mayor of Niedernsill, Salzburg in conjunction with the Forest Engineering Service in Torrent and Avalanche Control (WLV), the Provincial Government of Salzburg and the Ministry of Environment (BMLFUW).

The key themes included the development of contingency plans as part of an optimised crisis management, advance planning, and adequate maintenance of passive flood control installations. Especially the latter task has gained in complexity as a result of the Water Framework Directive, which seeks to give increasing attention to ecological aspects.

The need to provide regular maintenance further adds to the challenge of the crisis management staff. Thanks to active stakeholder involvement the seminar was a great success, and so ÖWAV is already making plans to organise yet another exchange-of-experience seminar in spring next year. The seminar venue will be Baumgartenberg in Upper Austria.

(Source: aqua press Int. 2/2009)