8. Flourishing Lakes and Streams

Lakes and watercourses must be ecologically sustainable and their variety of habitats must be preserved. Natural productive capacity, biological diversity, cultural heritage assets and the ecological and water-conserving function of the landscape must be preserved, at the same time as recreational assets are safeguarded.

This objective is intended to be achieved within one generation. 

The outcome within a generation for this environmental quality objective should include the following:

• Nutrient and pollutant loadings will not adversely affect the basic conditions for biodiversity.
• Alien species and genetically modified organisms that could threaten biodiversity will not be introduced.
• The valuable assets which lakes, shores and watercourses represent in terms of experience of nature and cultural heritage, as well as bathing and outdoor recreation, will be safeguarded and developed prudently and sustainably.
• Fish and other species that live in or are directly dependent on lakes and watercourses will be able to survive in viable populations.
• Structures of great cultural heritage value that use water as a resource will continue to be usable.
• In watercourses that are currently unexploited and largely undisturbed, natural flows and water levels will be maintained, while in watercourses affected by regulation, flows will as far as possible be adjusted to the needs of biodiversity.
• The habitats of threatened, rare or care-demanding species and naturally occurring habitats with features of conservation value will be maintained at a favourable conservation status.
• Threatened species will be able to spread to new sites within their natural ranges, ensuring long-term viable populations.
• Lakes and watercourses will achieve good surface water status with respect to species composition and chemical and physical conditions, as defined in the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).
• No releases of genetically modified fish will occur.
• Biodiversity will be restored and conserved in lakes and watercourses.