New port settlement along the “Po di Levante” and safety measures of the navigable section of the river (Italy)

The project involves the design of a new port along a branch of the Po river (Northern Italy) and new navigation facilities. The Levante port forms a new strategic point in the port system of the Venice lagoon.

The river Po (about 652 km) is the longest Italian river. It crosses all the North of Italy. The Po Delta is one of the most important wetland in Europe and in the world (UNESCO – World Heritage Site).

The port area consists of about 360 ha located along the right bank of the river Po, in the delta area. The port area is included within the Regional Park of the Po Delta. Most of the area has a high natural value and it is included in the Nature 2000 Network: Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). The screening of the potential impacts has been carried out by a matrix that relates the main project activities during construction and operation phase with the environmental elements identified as significant.

The study of the environmental impacts of the port infrastructure includes a detailed investigation of the current hydrodynamic and dispersive characteristics of the area affected by the project. 

The hydrodynamic model of the coastal zone is able to reproduce, with sufficient detail, the morphology of the area of study. It is important to emphasize that, in the hydrodynamic study of a delta or coastal marine area, great attention shall be addressed to the aspects concerning the replacement of the water masses in the different weather conditions that may occur.

A key role is carried out by external forcing (tidal waves, wind, coastal currents etc), since even small variations associated with them can induce effects of a certain importance in the coastal system. During the impact assessment, special attention has been paid to the natural aspect like the wildlife and specially to the bird community. The area, including the Venice lagoon, is a strong element of attraction for birds. The lagoon, in fact, is home to a rich bird community with an average attendance of more than 200,000 waterbirds and over 180 recorded species, constituting the most important Italian wintering site. 

Furthermore, the analysis of the impacts include the socio-economic aspects of the entire area affected by the harbour, as the project is part of a Regional Transport Plan that involves the creation of an integrated system for the transport of goods involving ports, dry ports, border crossings and airports. 

The project includes the mitigation of the new harbour through the formation of green barriers of native vegetation and recreational areas available for users of the port. An Appropriate Assessment (as for the UE legislation) of the impact of the project on the Natura 2000 network sites has been developed as part of the EIA procedure.