total: 64,589 sq km
land: 64,589 sq km
Coastline: 531 km
Population: 2,353,874 (July 1999 est.)
Source: CIA Worldfact Book (2000)
Latvia
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
(Source: CIA World Factbook 1999)
n.a.
Convention on the
Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea
Area
COSTAL ZONE OF LATVIA
General Features
The length of the Latvian coastline along the sea and the
gulf is approximately 470 km. The Seaside lowland stretches
along the seashore and the gulf. Itís width ranges
from 5 to 40 km. The coastal zone is located within the
boundaries of the Seaside lowland and its continental
boudary crosses a 3 meter isohypse. Total area of the
coastal zone is 1030 km²
There are three different sub-zones within the coastal
zone:
- a 40-400 meter beach zone
- sand banks and artificially afforested pine trees
- wetland
EUCC has compiled country files on Integrated Coastal
Management (ICM) for all coastal states of Europe and
Central Asia. Summaries for all countries will become
available in August.
This page provides a preliminary summary on the following
items for Latvia:
- Spatial planning
- Environment
- Nature Conservation
- Sectoral Development
- Framework for Development of ICZM
- National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
- Problems and Constraints for the Development of ICZM
1. Spatial Planning
1.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Most important Land Laws are: Law on Land Reform in Rural areas (1990), Law on Land Use and Survey (1991), Law on Land Reform in Towns (1991), Law on Land Privatisation (1992) and Regulations on Territorial Planning (1994, 1997)
- Law on Environmental Protection. (1991)
- Law on Self-government (1994)
- Building Law (1995)
- Law on Protected Belts (1997) states several restrictions for land use in the coastal zone. Law defines a protection belt of 300 m, starting from the water edge including the beach and coastal formations and also extending 300 m seaward from the water line. If the dune or other coastal formation exceeds 300 m, the protected zone is extended to its natural boundaries. In 1990, it was decided to extend the existing protective belt to a width of 5-7 km, in which economic activities are only allowed with the permission of local authorities and environmental impact assessment, the law is not always respected. [10]
- General Building Regulations (1997).
- Law on Development Planning (1998)
1.2 Administrative Competencies
Planning takes place at three levels in Latvia.The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MEPRD) is responsible for national and regional plans. There are two levels of self-governments: the Rajon (district) and the Pagast (local), as well as a number of 7 independent cities. District plans are the responsibility of local district governments. Pagasts are responsible for housing, making and adopting local building regulations, and making master plans for their administrative territory. Responsibility for general plans of municipalities or towns lies with local authorities. Responsibilities of Rajons are relatively limited. Cities are responsible for most infrastructural functions. All level plans are binding to the next level plans. The Board of Self-government Matters supervises and co-ordinates self-governments. The Union of Self-governments - a public organisation-defends their interests and rights.
1.3 Coastal Policy
The National Level Territorial Plan is in the
first stage and an Overview on the Use of State
Territory is being created, which covers the entire area
of Latvia. Two of the six coastal districts (Riga and
Limbazi) have elaborated District Plans, based on spatial
integration principles and include coastal issues. There are
also several town and city development plans based on
integration of different fields such as the Development
Plan for Riga 1995 ñ 2000, Development Plan for
Jurmala and the Development Plan for
Ventspils.
2. Environment
2.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Water Code (1972)
- Law on Environmental Protection (1991)
- Law on Hazardous Waste (1993)
- Law on Natural Resources Tax (1995)
- Regulations of The Cabinet of Ministers On Water Use Permit (1997)
- Regulations of The Cabinet of Ministers On the State Environmental Monitoring (1997)
- Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (1998)
- Law on Forests (1999)
2.2 Administrative Competencies
The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development forms national environment protection policy, the Department of Environmental Protection being responsible for implementation of policy and management. The State Environmental Inspectorate monitors adherence to requirements and manages activities of Regional Environmental Boards. The Marine Environmental Board implements state policy in seacoast development, and utilisation and protection of sea environment resources. [11] Potential interference of entrepreneurial activities with the environment is handled by the Environmental State Impact Assessment Board, which has recently been created, replacing the former Administration of State Environmental Expertise.
Regional Environment Boards implement state environment protection and regional development policy in the regions and towns of Latvia. Municipalities are responsible for environmental protection and rational use of natural resources in their administrative territory. Local authorities and district authorities can issue compulsory regulations and envisage administrative responsibility where regulations are offended. The two national parks and the biosphere reserve have their own administration, which is responsible for environmental protection of the area.
2.3 Environmental Policy
The Environmental Protection Policy Plan for
Latvia (EPPP) (1995) contains policy goals and
principles, gives priority environmental problems, and
recommendations for the use of political instruments. The
Environmental Protection Action Programme (1997)
foresees measures for every priority indicated in the EPPP
to achieve the aims. The National Programme for
Biological Diversity (1999) mentions problems of
environmental protection - including ecosystems as the
Baltic Sea, Riga Bay, beaches, dunes and coastal lakes - and
their solutions in all fields of economy. Policy of
investments in the environment is implemented by means of
the National Investment Programme.
3. Nature Conservation
3.1 Legislation and Regulations
- Law on Specially Protected Nature Territories (1993)
- Act on Self Government (1994)
- Regulations of the Cabinet on Ministers On General Protection and Use of Specially Protected Nature Territories (1997)
- Law on Protected Belts (1997)
- Law on Reserve of Ziemelvidzemes Biosphere (1997), Law on Kemiri National Park (1997), Regulations on Slitere National Park (1999)
- Law on Protection of Animals (1999 came into force from 2000)
- Law on Protection of Species and Habitats (2000)
3.2 Administrative Competencies
Local authorities have to keep protected natural objects in order. They have rights to elaborate the regulations on use of particularly protected natural territories in co-ordination with Regional Environmental Boards. The two national parks and a biosphere reserve have their own administration.
3.3 System of Protected Areas
Latvia knows seven categories of protected territories: state nature reserves, national parks, biosphere reserves, nature parks, natural monuments, nature reserves and protected landscape territories. [12] Many nature reserves have been established. Three national parks have been established, two of which as well as a biosphere reserve are located in the coastal zone for which management plans have to be created, each according to the law relevant to its territory. Basis for species protection is the Red Data Book of Latvia (1985). The EUCC has started the projects Conservation of Lake Kanieris and Conservation of Randu Meadows.
4. Sectoral
Development
4.1 Coastal Defence
To fight coastal erosion, all forests of the coastal zone have been classified as protected and preserved forests. The Forestry Department (Ministry of Agriculture) is responsible for policy making and legislation. However, there is a lack of financial resources for their maintenance.
4.2 Recreation and Tourism
Tourism in coastal areas is growing steadily. The
Ministry of Environment and Regional Development elaborates
tourism policy, the State Tourism Board being responsible
for its implementation. In 1997, the Conception of the
Development of Tourism in Latvia was approved. The
Strategy for Tourism - Growth beyond 2000 identified
several locations in the coastal zone with opportunities for
tourism, but development is hampered e.g. due to small
financial support from state, poor infrastructure,
underdeveloped service sector, and lack of international
advertising. Unorganised groups of holidaymakers cause
problems for environmental protection.
[13]
4.3 Fisheries and Aquaculture
Relevant legislation: Law on Fishing (1995), Regulations of The Cabinet of Ministers On the Procedure of Lease of Water bodies and Commercial Fishing Rights and the Use Fishing Rights (1996), Regulations of The Cabinet of Ministers On Fishing (1997), Act on Industrial Fishery in Latvia Territorial Water, Economical Zone and Riga Gulf.
Fishery is one of the main income sources in coastal communities. Fishing tackle and haul annual limits are determined by the Department of Fishery (Ministry of Traffic), co-ordinated with Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development. Local self-governments administer limits of fishing permits established by the State Fisheries Board (SFB). The SFB developed the National Programme for Development of Fishing Industry 1995-2010 in an attempt to stabilise and even boost the output of industrial fishing in the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, preparation has begun for a Development Programme of the Fishing Fleet in the Baltic Sea and its Coastal Zone 1997-2000 and a Fish Processing Development Programme 1997-2005.
4.5 Transport and Energy
The transport industry has undergone a dynamic development in the last few years. Latviaís road network is adequate in its extent, but the problem lies in its maintenance. Responsible for formulation and implementation of state policy is the Ministry of Communications. Basic goals of the development of the transport industry have been worked out in the National Transport Development Programme 1996 ñ 2010 (1995) and the National Transport Development Programme 1997 ñ 1999 (1997). [14] Investment strategy in the transport industry has been directed towards rehabilitation, modernisation and improvement of existing infrastructure. Other programmes include the National Aviation Development Programme (1994) Railway Restructuring Programme, State Programme for Development of the Motor-road Network (1994) and Latviaís Strategic Plan of Road Network Maintenance and Exploitation.
As Latvia has no natural resources of oil, gas or coal, energy conservation remains a high priority. Policy linked to national strategic and financial considerations is likely to favour rapid development of oil based coastal activities. The two pipelines connect the port of Ventspils with Russia, which have been maximally exploited in the last few years.
4.6 Harbours and Shipping
There are three large ports - Ventspils, Riga and
Liepãja -and seven small harbours in Latvia, each
with its own Harbour Regulations. The Free Port
Laws envisage the development of special economic zones
in the territories of the three large ports. State policy
with regard to development of the ports is co-ordinated by
the Latvian Ports Council. The Ports Administration
(Ministry of Communications) is responsible for its
implementation and is also the holder of the Port
Development Foundation, which provides financial resources
for investment projects. Recently it developed the State
Programme for Development of Latvian Ports-1995 ñ
2010 (1995). The small ports are very important for the
future development of local areas and coastal integration.
Therefore, a Conception for the Development of Small
Harbours of Latvia (1998) was elaborated. The level of
shipping activity and port related development in the three
major cities is expected to increase.
4.7 Industry
The contribution of industry to GDP is 28%, and 41% of the total labour force are employed in this sector. The industrial production growth rate is 3% (1998 est.). [15] Outside Riga the fastest economical development has taken place in Rezekne and Liepãja. The Industrial Policy Department of the Ministry of Economics is responsible for management of industry. There is no overall integrated policy with regard to the development of industry. In 1995 the Conception of State Strategy on Industry was devised, but not approved [16] because of several perceived problems with the strategy. The State Investment Programme does not envisage investments from the state budget to provide for industrial development.
4.8 Agriculture
A shift of economic activity has occurred away from
agriculture and manufacturing. In general agricultural
activity in the coastal zone is dominated by small farms
used for personal consumption and offers only meagre
economic benefits. The Regional Agricultural Departments
(Ministry of Agriculture) are responsible e.g. for
protection of national interests. The objective of the
national agricultural policy, based on the Law on
Agriculture, is to preserve agricultural producers and
assure that agriculture is a main source of food supply in
Latvia, meaning maintenance of high protection of domestic
market against foreign competition. Work has commenced on a
conceptual Programme of Agricultural Development,
[17] setting out
objectives and instruments of implementation of national
agricultural policies. Agricultural restructuring
following the abandonment of collectivised farming is going
to be central to agricultural development.
5. Framework for the Development of ICZM
Latvia has ratified the following conventions:
- Rio de Janeiro Convention on Biodiversity Preservation (1995)
- Bern Convention on Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (1997)
- Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild animals (1979)
- MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships;
- UN/ECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (1996)
- Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (1992; accession)
- Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1995 into force). The most urgent needs of 2 Ramsar Sites in Latvia - Kemeri National Park and Lake Engure Nature Park - have been combined in chapter 8 of the ICZM plan for Engure/Kemeri Task area (Part of HELCOM MLW Demonstration project).
- Helsinki Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (1994). The Law on Protected Belts describes a protected coastal strip of 300 m both landwards and seawards. The coastal planning zone is 5 - 7 km. There are restrictions on intensive forestry and farming.
6. National Achievements in the Field of ICZM
- Initiative has been taken for an ICZM Plan for Latvia, however, project time has expired and projects of the Priority Action Demonstration Programme were never implemented.
- A Coastal Investment Strategy for Latvia was initiated with West and East Kurzeme and Vidzeme as project area, so far with good response and participation of the involved municipalities.
- An Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan forEngure and Kemeri Task area has been elaborated under the HELCOM PITF MLW.
- Legislation provides possibilities for public involvement in the decision-making process. An example of very active participation is the establishment of the Slitere National Park.
- Examples of sustainable integration of different sectors and coastal development are the Liepãja Environment Project consisting of a) ëRenovation of the Liepãja water systemí and b) ëManagement Plan for Pape ñ Jurkalneí, the Ecotourism Development Plan for Western Coast of Kurzeme consisting of management plans for particularly protected areas with Slitere State Reserve and Livi Coast as pilot projects.
- ICZM Programme for the Baltic States and Poland is oriented to the creation of the GIS databases for ICZM.
7. Problems and Constraints for the
Development of ICZM
- Legislative problems such as conflicting legislation between and within sectors, ëoverlapsí between issues and functions, failure of new legislation to repeal or amend existing legislation which it replaces and failure to specify implementation agencies and/or mechanisms.
- Institutional problems such as a lack of communication between various levels of government, confusion and overlap between agencies at all levels and conflicting interests.
- Need to define the processes of required mutual co-operation between ministries in the process of elaboration of sector development plans, as well as necessary co-ordination between state administration institutions and self-governments.
- Financial issues undermine effective coastal management; e.g., the local government is underfunded.
- Lack of qualified manpower and capacity for adequate plan preparation on all levels of local government (except for the largest) and at most Ministries.
There are no integrated programmes or area-based
programmes