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Problem statement: For the purpose of low flows regionalization, relevant issue for water resources management like environmental flows requirements definition, this study focused on the controls on the seasonal and spatial variability of [q.sub.95] (i.e., the specific discharge that was exceeded on 95% of all the time) with particular reference to the role of soil characteristics, that, like soil infiltration rate, aquifers recharge, evapotranspiration and topography, usually play a relevant role in low flows seasonality and occurrence within a river. Approach: Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta Regions (NorthWestern Italy) were the investigated study area (30,027 [km.sup.2]) where 41 catchments were analyzed with the aim of robust regression models enabling the transfer of hydrological information from gauged to un-gauged sites. Results: The regionalization method consisted of multiple regression models between low flows and catchment characteristics. Twenty-five catchment descriptors were used, checking their relative influence with the multi-regressive procedure and a special attention was devoted to the selection of significant soil characteristics in the regionalization process. Seasonality indices were used to classify catchments into two sub-regions and separate multiple regressions was performed by checking the prediction performance with cross-validation. Also a global regression was fitted out but it yielded a lower performance. In the study domain land use, topography and Thornthwaite moisture index demonstrated to be the most significant variables in order to represent relationships between catchment soil characteristics and low flows regime. Conclusion/Recommendations: Results obtained in this study were comparable with other regionalization studies carried out in Austria and Switzerland. The interpretation of the identified regression models provided, at local scale, new tools for water management and environmental flows requirements and, from a wider point of view, useful insights into the general comprehension of low flows processes. Key words: Low flows regionalization, catchment descriptors, seasonality indices, INTRODUCTION An accurate estimate of low flows is needed in many branches of water resources management, including environmental flows requirements. The literature has many references to techniques for estimating low [...]

Problem statement: Mining operations are strategic and essential industrial activities which rely on the use of non renewable natural resources, causing several relevant interactions with the environment. Approach: The need to perform in compliance with even more stringent environmental legislation and to satisfy different stakeholders demands and pressures, is progressively leading the mining sector towards the implementation of Environmental Management Systems (EMS). However scientific literature outlined a relevant research gap in the absence of specific technical guidelines to facilitate such voluntary environmentally responsible approach in the different sectors of mining. Results: Therefore the present study was focused on the extraction of construction aggregates from gravel pit lakes, sector characterized by peculiar operations and related environmental problems. Through the analysis of representative sites (located in Piedmont Region-NW Italy), where the environmental components of the interested territories, the equipments used and operations carried out, the main legal requirements, the environmental problems and monitoring systems were examined, the research identified environmental problems and practices which could be considered common to this sector and be taken into account during the EMS implementation. In particular the study, with reference to the ISO 14001 requirements, focused on the analysis and monitoring of the environmental aspects and to the identification of specific operational and monitoring procedures which should be defined by the organization within the EMS. Conclusion: Therefore the main results of the research presented in this study supplied specific technical elements to be used by the companies operating gravel pit lakes for a correct and exhaustive EMS implementation and represented a new contribution for a more widespread adoption of ISO 14001 in the mining sector. Keywords: Environmental management systems, ISO 14001, environmental review, mining sector, gravel pit lake, INTRODUCTION Mining operations are strategic and essential industrial activities on which the economy of several countries is based (19), (20); however a significant counterpart of the great socio-economical relevance of [...]

Environmental certification according to the ISO 14001 standard and EMAS regulation represents an efficient tool for those organizations who want to continuously improve their environmental performances. Even though first thought up for application to the industrial section, in recent years these schemes have also proved to be valid in organizations with territorial competences, such as local authorities. The case study of the Cesana Torinese municipality, an important ski resort in North West Italy involved in the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games, which was one of the first local authorities in Italy and in Europe to apply these schemes, is presented in this paper. In particular, the paper is focused on the method used for the implementation of the scheme and on the main results obtained throughout on the territory, in terms of sustainable tourism, reduction in energy consumption and [CO.sub.2] emissions, but also in terms of improvement in the quality of life of the citizens, integrating environmental aspects with social accountability. At the same time, the ability of the management scheme to respond to relevant modifications of the environmental scenario, such as the designation of the area as one of the competition sites for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games, is highlighted. Keywords: ISO 14001, EMAS, Local Authorities, Environmental Management System, [CO.sub.2] emissions, social accountability, INTRODUCTION The ISO 14001 (1,3) standard and the EMAS regulation (2) (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme issued by the European Community) represent the reference schemes for the organisations that intend setting [...]

The restoration of longitudinal connectivity of a watercourse altered by man-made obstacles is a key issue for the protection and safeguard of freshwater ecosystems and the construction of fish passes constitutes a relevant ad hoc measure. However, in many countries, like Italy, there is still not an adequate technical-scientific background and experience in this field and therefore several migratory species have become extinct or are suffering from severe impacts. The main elements of the river rehabilitation for fish project promoted by the Modena Province concerning the middle course of the Panaro River (North Italy), a watercourse characterised by high naturalistic and environmental values but fragmented by several weirs built to prevent riverbed erosion, are presented in this paper. The case study is analysed through the main steps that were carried out to define a preliminary plan for the restoration of the river continuity for the migration of four target species (South European nase (Chondrostoma genei), Italian barbel (Barbus plebejus), chub (Leuciscus cephalus cabeda) and soufie (Leuciscus souffia muticellus)) through the design of an innovative type of steep-slope fish ramp with large-scale roughness elements. The case study is part of an overall project and is the applicative section of an 'educational' document drawn up in the form of guidelines on the correct methodological approach for fish passes design, that will be addressed to professionals, technicians and local Authorities working in the field of water resource management. Keywords: Fish passes, ichthyofauna, fish migration., INTRODUCTION Water withdrawals from watercourses and structures that interfere with fluvial riverbeds (weirs, road crossings, etc.) create a relevant factor of pressure on aquatic ecosystems, prevent the migration of fish [...]