On Wednesday, July 1st, 2015, the highest court of the European Union ruled on the deepening of the river Weser in Germany. The judgment of the court is that there should be far more consideration in the future about the damage caused to the aquatic environment in the granting of permits for projects in our water systems.
This statement of the European Court will have consequences in relation to the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. It will be more dificult to develope new initiatives that have a negative effect on the aquatic environment and fish stocks like building hydropower stations.
The judge said that only an exception can be made when there are very high social interests involved. For small hydropower this will not be the case because the minimum profit of hydropower do not outweigh the enormous damage done to the fish stocks and the environment in the rivers.
EAA feels quite strong with the ruling of the European Court in its fight to reduce damage to the fish stocks and the aquatic environment.
Photo: Endangered Eels damaged by hydropower