American Journal of Environmental Protection, 2013, Vol. 1, No. 3, 59-65 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/env/1/3/3 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/env-1-3-3 Master Plan as A Tool for Post-Mining Water Reservoirs Management – A Cases in Poland Joanna Kulczycka 1,* , Elżbieta Pietrzyk-Sokulska 2 1 Faculty of Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow, Poland 2 Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland *Corresponding author: kulczycka@meeri.pl Received July 19, 2013; Revised July 31, 2013; Accepted August 01, 2013 Abstract Master plan can be a valuable tool used in planning process. Although there are no regulations in Poland on the development of master plans, it can play important role both for strategic, sector, local or urban planning projects. There is also called environmental master plan when it focus on solving individual environmental problems. Generally, master plan allow data to be collected, identify the baseline scenario and set targets against it, estimate the effects of plans and finally to utilize information for public consultancy and for financial planning. The scope of environmental master plan for two different (polluted and not-polluted) post-mining reservoirs, .i.e. Górka and Balaton, located nearby are presented. The main aim of this master plan was to find optimal solution, which can maintain good water quality in Balaton reservoir, through minimization of environmental hazards in Górka reservoir. Therefore in master plan current legal, environmental, technical, spatial, social and financial issues were analysed to indicate potential beneficiaries and treats. The results of these analysis were presented using SWOT methods. As it was complex study SWOT was created first for external factors and next for internal. It was found that such complex SWOT was useful for communication with local society and in decision making process. The proposed solution can be a benchmark for other similar objects, as it takes into account all important aspects as a basis for the selection of the strategic goal of increasing water resources and the maintenance of good quality water in the region. Keywords: post-mining reservoir, reclamation, masterplan, SWOT Cite This Article: Kulczycka Joanna, and Elżbieta Pietrzyk-Sokulska, “Master Plan as A Tool for Post- Mining Water Reservoirs Management – A Cases in Poland.” American Journal of Environmental Protection 1, no. 3 (2013): 59-65. doi: 10.12691/env-1-3-3. 1. Introduction In Europe one third of the population lives in areas with severe pressure on water resources, therefore identification and promotion of methods to improve the quality and quantity of water resources being in line with the principles of sustainable development is urgent subject. This will involve both the maintenance of existing surface water resources and increasing the retention and restoration of current water systems. Master plan can be a valuable tool for sustainable water resources planning. Although there are no regulations on the development of master plans in Poland, it can play important role both for: • large strategic projects for sectors [2], • regional planning projects [7], • urban planning [3], • individual object planning, i.e. environmental master plans which focus on solving individual environmental problems [1,5]. Generally, master plans allow data to be collected, identify the baseline scenario and set targets against it, estimate the effects of plans and finally to utilize information for public consultancy and for financial planning. Through an in-depth analysis of all existing conditions and an assessment of future needs, it facilitates the implementation of the new “optimal” solutions. The final solution for two post-mining water reservoirs management called Górka and Balaton based on prepared environmental master plan is presented in the paper. It can be a benchmark for other similar objects, as it takes into account all technical, legal, environmental, spatial, economic, social aspects as a basis for the selection of the strategic goal of increasing water resources and the maintenance of good quality water in the region. 2. Characteristics of the Selected Areas for Analysis Two post-mining reservoirs located in the south part of Poland were analysed. The first known as Lake Balaton is a remnant of an old limestone quarry which ceased production in the 1970s, and is currently used as a swimming area. After the cessation of pumping, rainwater and groundwater formed in the bowl of the quarry covering an area of 3 hectares. The water level stabilized at 12 meters (max. depth) to match the surrounding walls of the old workings (Figure 1). Following the flooding, and due to the transparency of the water (Figure 2) and good oxygenation levels, conditions