1. Water quality problems due to:
   intensive fish-farming (carp breeding)
   agricultural activities using fertilizers and pesticides
   peat, sand and gravels mining
   excessive recreational activities
   direct contamination by the industry and settlements on the Czech side
   transport of the pollutants from the Austrian side



2. Problems in the ecosystem due to:
   water quality problems
   changes in water regime - amelioration
   excessive tourism
   lack of proper management of meadows
   peat, sand and gravels mining



3. Socio-economic problems due to:
   low level of public services and infrastructure in comparison with the Austrian side structural changes in industry and agriculture



4. Development problems due to:
   unbalanced development of one-sided economical activities
   decrease in population during last years
   low human potential in relation to population structure and the level of education conflicts between the economical development and environment protection

The area was seriously damaged during the floods (dam failures, buildings and infrastructure damaged) and there are post-flood damages still occuring including the failures of pond dams and embankments. The fact of anti-flood function of the area must be respected in updated town-planning and other measures, especially considering the fact the area is continuously threated by floods. The hydrological and hydrogeological conditions in the basin were affected, the landscape was fully saturated and there is a danger of further catastrophic events in case of extraordinary hydrological conditions (for example excessive snow-melting in spring and extreme rainfalls in summer).

The objective of the project in CZ/A reference area is to provide scientific tools to reach common vision of future development of the region as defined by both Czech and Austrian local actors:

The EUREGIO Silva Nortica is a clean and healthy region with conserved nature in one biosphere reserve, small and medium sized ecologically sound industry, economically stable and developed with a good infrastructure network, pleasant for living in it, conserved historical monuments and cities full of life (in a cultural and social sense), a high level of public safety, attractive for tourists, but practicing sensible tourism in certain limits.

The following development options for the region Waldviertel/Silva Nortica were formulated:

1. 10% of the area covered by water bodies and forest is strictly protected.


2. Quality of roads improved


3. A concept for sensible tourism is implemented for the region


4. International networked flood management established in the region