Letter

PIANC The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure Brussels, July 7, 2017. To the First Delegates of the Qualifying Members of PIANC To the National Sections’ Secretaries of PIANC The Sister Associations of PIANC Subject: Re-launch TOR RecCom working group Nr. 148 on “Sustainable Recreational Navigation Infrastructure”. Dear Sir, Dear Madam, Dear Colleague, The Recreational Navigation Commission has requested the re-launch the TOR of a working group on “Sustainable Recreational Navigation Infrastructure”. The Working Group prepared a full draft report during 2016, but after reviews by RecCom, EnviCom and sister organizations, it was decided that updates and revisions were required. A new call for Working Group members was decided in order to complete the revisions to the report. We hereby ask that you communicate to the Chairperson and Secretariat of RecCom (copy to the General Secretariat) the name, qualification and (e-mail-) address of the members proposed by your country/organization before August 18th, 2017. Please enclose a brief curriculum vitae of the proposed members together with some details about their professional experience. Note that an expert, an alternate and a young professional member per country/organization can participate in the working group activities. We remind you that in accordance with PIANC rules, the costs incurred in taking part in working groups’ activities are borne by the member countries/organizations. However, the RecCom Working Group Chairperson will try to facilitate participation through electronic communications to the extent possible. We thank you beforehand for your collaboration. Yours sincerely, Geert Van Cappellen, Secretary-General Reply to : Simone Lanzarone, Secretary RecCom, [email protected] Esteban L. Biondi, Chairperson RecCom, [email protected] Terms of Reference for Working group 148 (RecCom) Second Phase – Relaunch July 2017 Sustainable Recreational Navigation Infrastructure 1. Background Recreational navigation infrastructure (RNI) encompasses a variety of facilities that allow for waterborne recreation activities, often working synergistically and as a system. Facilities include different types of marinas, wet berths, dry storage, service and maintenance facilities, and navigation channels, among others. This infrastructure provides public access to waterways, facilitates a number recreational opportunities of social value, and supports economic activities that are often very significant at a regional level. However, individual facilities and the aggregation of infrastructure evolving over time can cause negative environmental impacts. Such impacts have, in the past, resulted in environmental degradation, especially in pristine or undeveloped regions. In many cases, the natural environments that can be negatively impacted are the main reason for the popularity of the recreational activities. Therefore, negative impacts on the environment can have a direct negative effect on economic and social sustainability of recreational navigation. The sustainability of recreational navigation is therefore a major concern of many different institutions, including stakeholders such as government officials; environmental groups; community organizations; as well as many private sector actors such as commercial, service, and industrial nautical businesses, real estate infrastructure developers, and recreational and tourism businesses. Concerns regarding potentially negative environmental impacts commonly evolve. Even if environmental impact analysis procedures and best practices are available to avoid, minimize and mitigate such impacts, stakeholders often question their effectiveness. PIANC’s Working with Nature approach provides a framework to achieve sustainability, which is particularly suited for RNI. These type of facilities offer opportunities for environmental restoration and net positive social and environmental impacts. Adequate planning, development and operation of recreational navigation can help grow awareness toward sustainable development and strategic environmental conservation. Social benefits of sustainable RNI include benefits for boaters and non-boaters, new community waterfront spaces, and social and leisure activities and events, etc. 2. Objective of the study PIANC’s “Working with Nature” (WwN) initiative offers a renewed approach to address concerns regarding the environmental impact minimization/mitigation process implementation. This approach provides an opportunity to improve the design process for efficient environmental compliance and to identify opportunities to add value to the design of RNI. This Working Group will aim at providing specific practical guidelines to implement the general WwN framework to the development of recreational navigation infrastructure in general, and to marinas in particular. 3. Earlier reports and other references to be reviewed • Working with Nature, PIANC position paper. • Environmental regulations and guidelines specific to RNI of broad international application • Marina environmental design and sustainable marina publications, papers and articles • Publications relative to “Engineering with Nature” and “Building with Nature” applied to RNI • Guidelines for environmental certification of marinas (Clean Marina US programs, Australian Clean Marina program, Blue Marina certification, TYHA gold anchor certification program) • PIANC EnviCom related initiatives (e.g., greenports, sustainable navigation, and PTG CC). • PIANC RecCom WG 148: Marina Design (Environmental and Sustainability chapter) • PIANC RecCom WG 12: Recreational Navigation and Nature. • PIANC RecCom WG 5: Standards for the construction, equipment and operation of yacht harbors and marinas, with special reference to the environment. 4. Matters to be investigated • Types of RNI • Typical environmental impacts of RNI • Guidelines to apply the WwN approach to RNI  • Best practices of environmental assessment and comprehensive sustainability considerations as part of the RNI and marina planning and design process • Case studies of RNI environmental and social sustainability 5. Method of approach This will effort will apply a multidisciplinary Working Group that will follow the WwN principles and draw on case studies to illustrate recommended best practices. 6. Desirable disciplines of the members of the Working Group The Working Group should include marina planners and designers, environmental impact experts, and marina managers. The Working Group will also encourage contributions from environmental regulators, environmentalist association representatives, marina developers, waterfront urban planners, marine engineers, coastal landscape architects, local government representatives, and marina certification program representatives. 7. Relevance for Countries in Transition Sustainable marina development is a pre-requisite to recreational navigation in countries in transition. Early implementation of best practices can improve the quality of future RNI and prevent unnecessary regulatory restrictions (which tend to expand after negative impacts of new development are observed). The report should attempt to include Case Studies from different parts of the world, urban and resort areas, marine and freshwater environments, as well as projects in tropical, subtropical, temperate and boreal zones. 8. Consideration for Climate Change The WwN approach is also conducive to achieving improved resilience performance of RNI and will facilitate Climate Change adaptation. Best practice environmental measures in marina equipment typically conserve resources and can contribute to Climate Change mitigation, while proactive design measures can improve resilience and facilitate future adaptation. Saatja: Kaidi Katus <[email protected]> Saadetud: 06.03.2019 15:12 Adressaat: Signe Paevere <[email protected]> Teema: Ed: PIANC relaunch RecCom WG 148 on 'Sustainable Recreational Navigation Infrastructure' Tähtsus: Kõrgeim Manused: image001.jpg; ToR WG 148b - SECOND PHASE_06Jul17.pdf; LETTER RELAUNCH RecCom 148 March 2019.pdf; re-launch letter RecCom WG 148.pdf Saatja: Sabine Vandevelde [mailto:[email protected]] Saatmisaeg: Wednesday, March 6, 2019 11:10 AM Adressaat: Sabine Vandevelde <[email protected]> Teema: PIANC relaunch RecCom WG 148 on 'Sustainable Recreational Navigation Infrastructure' Tähtsus: Kõrge Dear All, RecCom has asked to relaunch the ToR?s of WG 148. Mr Biondi, Chairman of RecCom has added a letter, providing additional information. In case you have additional questions, Please address yourself to him (data in the attached letter) Kind regards, Sabine Van de Velde PIANC General Secretariat Koning Albert II laan 20 ? bus 3 1000 Brussels ? Belgium Tel: +32 2 553.71.61 Email: [email protected] PIANC The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure Brussels, 6 March 2019. To the First Delegates of the Qualifying Members of PIANC To the National Sections’ Secretaries of PIANC To the Sister Associations of PIANC To the Platinum Partners of PIANC Dear all, In accordance to our strategic plan and working towards my pledge to help you make PIANC RecCom be more useful and relevant in your country, I am writing to encourage you to name a representative to WG 148 on environmental sustainability of marinas. This working group will comprehensively address sustainability criteria and provide guidelines for the implementation of Working with Nature to tourism and recreational navigation infrastructure. At this time, RecCom has only received applications for members from some European countries and North America. While we have started with this small group, I know that this topic is important in many countries and I hope we can get more representation. Please note that: - We are not only seeking experts, but also need the contribution of members that can identify challenges and needs. Your representation and participation with regionally relevant questions and experience dealing with environmental and social challenges is extremely valuable to achieve our goals. - Please nominate alternate and YP’s - RecCom is especially committed to facilitating "remote participation" in our Working Groups, so please do not be discouraged by the requirement to absorb the costs of participation. - I know that sustainable nautical tourism is very important in many countries, so I hope you can reach out to your local community involved in related sectors. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. I look forward to continuing working with you and your representatives on this and other RecCom initiatives. Kindest regards, Esteban L. Biondi Chairman Recreational Navigation Commission PIANC 2047 Vista Parkway, Suite 201 West Palm Beach, Florida 33411, USA Of: +1 (561) 659-0041 Ext. 1502 Dir: +1 (561) 472-2145 Mob: +1 (561) 603-2712 Skype: esteban_biondi [email protected] www.reccom.pianc.org