Watershed Management System in Poland and Its Implications for Environmental Conditions of the Baltic Sea: An Example of the Vistula River Watershed

Abstract

The Polish watershed areas have significant effects on environmental conditions of the Baltic Sea. They represent about 20% of the Baltic Sea catchment area, they cover almost 50% of agricultural land and are populated by nearly 50% of the total population of the Baltic Sea catchment area. For this reason, watershed management in Poland has a large (Baltic) scale impact and consequences. This paper describes the most important international agreements related to the catchment area of the Baltic Sea and their consequences for the national water management. Further, it describes the Polish watersheds, Polish administration system regarding environment and water management, financial mechanisms for environmental protection and watershed management. Finally, it describes the effects of investment and management for the water quality of the Vistula River - the biggest Baltic river in terms of watershed area. Certain positive effects as well as weaknesses of the river basin management in Poland are also presented.