ARTWEI („Action for the Reinforcement of the Transitional Waters' Environmental Integrity”)
Vistula Lagoon Case study
The ARTWEI project ultimate goal is to improve the cross-border cooperation and efforts to make use of transitional water bodies environmentally sustainable. Four cross-border transitional water bodies of the southern Baltic Sea, i.e. Curonian Lagoon (LT/RU), Vistula Lagoon (RU/PL), Odra Lagoon (PL/DE) and Øresund Sound (DK/SE) were selected as a case studies. Project acknowledged that for implementation of any European or regional policy a tight and effective cross-border cooperation of local and regional interest groups, citizens and politicians is crucial but it is especially important for reinforcement of the environmental integrity.
The Vistula Lagoon is a trans-boundary water body located along the south-eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is divided by the state border and 471 km2 and 367 km2 belong to Russia and Poland, respectively. Baltiysk Strait, the only connection with the Baltic Sea, is located in Russian part of the lagoon. Combination of the large drainage area and limited water exchange with the Baltic Sea makes the lagoon especially vulnerable to eutrophication. Moreover, due to wind driven mixing, the resuspension of sediments is almost continuous. Those unfarourable conditions makes the environmental goals regarding water quality very difficult to achieve.