Integrated part of sustainable water management
In overall, river restoration should be part of integrated river basin management (RBM). By viewing the river and its basin from river sources to the sea as an organic unity, the complete specter of measures suitable to provide a good ecological status for waters on the one hand, and safety, sustainable economic development and prosperity on the other hand can be applied. Options range from enhanced soil conservation, catchment land use and environmentally appropriate agriculture, water retention, storage and aquifer recharging in upstream wetlands and downstream floodplains.
The ECRR emphasises the link between both the strategic and operational levels. They do this by improving the knowledge base of decision takers (awareness raising) and improving the understanding of scientists and practitioners on relevance and complexity at the policy level. It also provides scientists and practitioners with opportunities to exchange experiences and best practices of river restoration that are based on a planning process with integrated research and design and adequate stakeholder involvement.