For the cycle of Legambiente workshops within the CuriAmo Project, ViviAmo, ParticipiAmo il Sarno ''Stories of experiences, approaches and tools” the meeting The communities of the rivers took place: from Sacco to Sarno. A meeting that highlighted the 'unfortunately' similar problems between the two rivers.
Illegal dumping in rivers is a problem not only for peoplerivers Campania, among which there is also theRiver Sarno as seen in this period, but also of many Italian rivers. There is also among theseSacco River In theLazio, a river contract that has a national character.
Rita Ambrosino OfLegambiente Anagni together withElisa Warrior – Councilor in the Municipality of Ceprano (Frosinone) and environmental engineer, they explained how implementing the river contract was something difficult. Something that requires a lot of volunteering, given the legislative gap, and I work to carry out work that needs to be carried out to safeguard the territory.
The Sacco River is a river that like many rivers, suffers a lot of pollution. Many spills which led to numerous problems. Not only did it pollute the waters, but following the floods, the chemical materials released by numerous companies into the river, have contaminated the numerous agricultural lands in the vicinity. A contamination that in addition to the water, yes it prolongs even with the presence of numerous fine dusts. A situation that brought the Sacco River to the forefront of the news.
Numerous associations, including Legambiente, and the participation of numerous municipalities in the Lazio region have implemented theprocess for the care of the Sacco River. The leading municipality of the requests and of the Sacco River Contract was theMunicipality of Ceprano who carried out the project, and any related action, to safeguard a river that involves numerous municipalities in the Lazio region and sites of national interest.
Sacco River Contracts, which turns out to be the winning project of theLazio region. A project which, through a fact-finding investigation, will lead to an analysis of the 90 km of the Sacco River. The aim is to scan the entire rainwater pipe using thermal cameras to identify all the drains that are not known to date. We want to improve the waters not only on already known data, but we must go in search of all those elements of the critical issues that weigh on the river. A drafting of a geo-referenced database of all the information on activities present and the elements affecting the basin.
Thanks to the associations and volunteers, all the work that has been done up to this point has been published on the sitewww.contrattodifiumesacco.it. The volunteers' activity aims to bring the population to rediscover the Sacco River not only for its presence, but also for its critical issues. Therefore local and supralocal actors are called to change the modus operandi, leading everyone to relive a Sacco river as it once was and not as a river linked to sad episodes.
As mentioned, pollution does not only concern the Sacco River, but also the Sarno River. Giorgio Zampetti, Legambiente national director, he explained how the issue of pollution is something important to fight against. Something that escapes monitoring, to constant observation, but which causes numerous problems for our waters. A problem often experienced only by local communities and not at a national level. A problem that causes problems for agricultural activities, but also to new companies that suffer from the wrong behaviors of the past. The different industrial wastes, they represent truly dangerous pollution situations that are often not kept under control, thus leading to serious problems for river courses and beyond. Something that happens in the Sacco river, but also in the Sarno River. The Fiume contracts, as happened for the Sacco River, they can be useful tools for safeguarding the territory.
Laura Saija (DICAR researcher – University of Catania, case of the Simeto river contract), he explained how even in beautiful Sicily the problems related to river pollution are no exception. Thanks to so much creativity, given the absence of river contracts, There have been various activities that have led and are ensuring the defense of this river. The activity of the Sineto community, thanks to the combination of other interests, and combining aspects of protest with moments of happiness led to interest in something that seemed almost invisible.
Antonio Crescenzo, President of the Sarno River Park), partner of the CuriAmo Project, ViviAmo, We participate in Sarno supported by the CON IL SUD Foundation led by Legambiente - with ADIM Srl among the partners – he explained the work he carries out together with all the other associations and partners for the Campania river. Crescenzo's focus is on making the watercourse feel like something so natural and precisely to increase the attention and protection of a river, be it Sacco or Sarno. A Fiume contract, it could be a solution to ensure that the river sections get the right attention. Through participation in the Campania Region tender, the aim is to safeguard a river and territory tormented by pollution.
The work that the Sarno River Park carries out is that such a difficult problem is posed and carried forward with the right knowledge, but also with all the tools necessary to deal with these very difficult things. The aim of the park authority is to report, but also that of promoting the territory. This last action though, despite the richness and beauty of the area, cannot be carried out due to pollution, heavy problem that blocks almost every promotional action.
The river contract which together with sector bodies which can therefore be a solution for the protection of these river stretches. Giancarlo Gusmaroli, technical director of the Italian Center for River Redevelopment, explained how this tool can be useful to push and draw attention to cases such as those of the Sacco River and Sarno. There are too many activities against the river courses and which hinder their development. Only bring collect and draw attention to all river courses, even through river contracts it can lead to blocking the wrong activities, develop new ideas and promote important territories.
Highlight the river contract, precisely its pedagogical character, allows a community to grow, becoming a community of Fiume. A situation that leads us to understand how important this element is, for the redevelopment of a river. However, it is often thought that redevelopment involves water quality. Only if these are good or not. As Giancarlo Gusmaroli explains, the pedagogical lever must make it clear that ''you go to the river even when the river and its waters are not beautiful, he's injured and he's sick''.
This is a methodology that helps to make the community understand how important that stretch of river is, which must not lose its activities before starting a phase of redevelopment of the water and the territory. Even in the face of degradation, it must be important to sow the will to want to change pace. “The river contract is an enzyme, starting from the various sectors, start bringing change. If the contract brings people to the table for change, the important thing is that you do not implement companies that are already present, but open to new suggestions. This is recognized by national legislation in Italy: river contracts. At national levels, regional and community can lead to improving nature while avoiding risks and leading to numerous benefits", thus concluded Gusmaroli.
