Kristina Veidemane, Baltic Environmental Forum Panevezys,

Transcription

1 Priority 2 Protection and restoration of biodiversity and soil and promotion of ecosystem services, including through Natura 2000, and green infrastructure Kristina Veidemane, Baltic Environmental Forum Panevezys,

2 Content Focus of the priority the nature object types Governance of the ecosystems: main planning mechanisms available in the region Environmental governance: assigned tasks and responsible bodies nature values (species and habitats) waters (river basins and coastal/marine areas) environmental risks: floods, chemicals Stakeholders and their role in the environmental management Management activities and potential actions Past experience in Latvian Lithuania cooperation (projects)

3 Objects of joint management A wide range of natural object types (rivers, lakes, protected dry land areas, wetlands, coastal areas, river basins and etc.). Protected areas (improvements of the biodiversity situation, flora and fauna conditions etc.). Risk management (floods, fire, chemicals spills and etc.). positive impacts to the sustainable management of nature resources in the Programme area

4 A wide range of natural object types rivers lakes coastal areas wetlands dry land areas Forests Meadows Landscape Land cover/ use Ecosystems Habitats NATURA 2000 Protected areas NATURA 2000 network of protected areas established to assure the longterm survival of Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.

5 Planning mechanisms of the nature and ecosystems species habitats ecosystems landscapes agriculture grasslands forests wetlands (bogs, mires) waters (rivers, lakes, sea, etc.) urban areas Rural Development Plan Nature management plans for protected areas Management plans for species and habitat protection (e.g., wolf, black stork) River basin management plans Flood risk management plans Marine Strategy Municipal spatial plans Climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and programmes

6 NATURA 2000 in Latvia and Lithuania

7 NATURA 2000 areas in Latvia and Lithuania Different categories of protected areas - means also different nature protection objectives and management measures Latvia: National parks, Nature parks, nature reserves, strict nature reserves, microreserves, landscape protected areas, marine protected areas, nature monuments Lithuania: state parks, regional parks, reserves, strict reserves, biosphere monitoring areas; biosphere polygons/grounds Available information on each areas: Habitats Directive Birds Directive

8 Governance of nature values (species and habitats) in Latvia Legislation and national policy development Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Implementation of the species and habitat protection policy Nature Conservation Agency and 4 Regional Administrations Coordinate management of nature protected areas, including NATURA 2000 Kurzeme Pierīga Latgale Vidzemes Management of nature protected areas, including NATURA 2000 Different stakeholders: related to land ownership Municipal rights to issue the local rules on protection of local nature values

9 Governance of nature values (species and habitats) in Lithuania Legislation and national policy development Ministry of Environment Implementation of national policy and strategies State Protected Areas Service Safeguards the protected areas and their efficient use, maintains landscape and biodiversity National Parks Directorates (4) Regional Parks Directorates (28) State Reserves Directorates (3) Biosphere Reserve Directorate (1)

10 Status of the biodiversity Conservation status of species and habitats by ecosystem type from Habitats Directive Article 17 reporting

11 Waters Natural ecosystems Marine strategy marine coastal rivers Quality and quantity lakes River basin management Uses Households Industrial uses Hydropower Drinking Pollution Abstraction Bathing waters Others Fish resources Recreation (boating, walking, etc) Navigation

12 Governance of river basins River basin management aims at achieving good ecological status of surface waters and good status of groundwaters Governance organised according to the river basin approach Transboundary river basins: Venta, Lielupe (Musa&Memele), Daugava Water Framework Directive

13 State: river water quality

14 Lithuanian river basin information

15 Governance of river basins in Latvia Legislation and national policy development Development of the river basin management plans Coordination of implementation Implementation of management measures Supervision of implementation/revision of permits Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center River basin Advisory Boards (4) Different stakeholders: related to their activities State Environmental Service Rules of use (management) of water bodies Any users of water resources, mainly hydro-installations, fishery, etc.

16 Governance of river basins in Lithuania Legislation and national policy development Development of the river basin management plans Coordination of implementation Ministry of Environment Environmental Protection Agency Lithuanian Geological Survey Coordination Council Implementation of management measures Supervision of implementation/revision of permits Different stakeholders: related to their activities Regional Environmental Departments

17 Governance of marine waters Aiming at achieving good environmental status by 2020 Regional cooperation for the purpose of developing and implementing marine strategies The Baltic Sea as marine region Role of HELCOM as coordinating body Responsible bodies : Latvia: Institute of Aquatic Ecology Lithuania: Environmental Protection Agency

18 Governance of flood risks Aims to reduce and manage the risks that floods pose to human health, the environment, cultural heritage and economic activity Flood hazard maps floods with a low probability (1 per 200 years (LV); 1000 years (LT)) floods with a medium probability (likely return period 100 years) floods with a high probability (1 per 10 years) Flood risk maps to show the potential adverse consequences associated with flood scenarios Flood risk management plans including measures (at the moment for public consultation) Main Responsible bodies : Latvia: LEGMC Floods Directive How to integrtae with civil defense plans? Lithuania: EPA Municipalities

19 Specific objective of the priority Increased integration and efficiency of environmental resource management To be achieved by: more active coordination and cooperation: planning Will result in: implementation monitoring, including classification/metrology/sampling other relevant nature resources management activities (awareness and education) improved the capacities of involved actors improving institutional frameworks developing human resources strengthening managerial systems field practice and concrete solutions are defined and applied

20 Environmental resource management activities Authorities: Which are uncertain environmental issues? What are knowledge gaps? Environmental monitoring/inventory/ survey activities Joint assessments (methodologies) Revision of plans An example: To establish better links between «pressure - state impacts» Diffuse pollution (agriculture/forestry) Concentration of nutrients Impact on biological elements Example: HOTRISK project Status of waters

21 Environmental resource management activities Stakeholders: Which measures are challenging to implement? measures identified in plans Detailed planning Prevention of pressure Realization Reduction of pressure Protection of areas/species Restoration of ecosystems Training and education Information activities Maintenance measures Awareness raising activities

22 Past experience in Latvian Lithuania cooperation (projects) Reduction of pressure E-water project reducing the water consumption/losses Protected areas - Development of management tools for reduction of human impact in specially protected nature areas Granderio reducing pressure casued by eutrophication (small/rural waste water treatment plants); RAIN-WATER-MAN - Sustainable Rainwater Sewerage Management for Improved Environmental Quality of Lielupe River Basin TEAMWORK - to protect from alien plants, insects and molluscs which degrade biodiversity and agricultural land, pollute rivers and may also lead to spread of various diseases Water quality - Improvement of water quality in small sttlements Vircava (LV) and Sauginiai (LT).

23 Past experience in Latvian Lithuania cooperation (projects) Restoration/clean-up of ecosystems Granderio restoration activities by clean-up activities performed in five locations in Bauska, Rundale, the river Kruoja in Pakruojis and a lake Kirkilai in the regional park area of Birzai Live Venta - environment and river and lake cleaning works (Kuldīga, Durbe) Nature project - Effective management and protection of nature resources in Jelgava and Siauliai cities Urban Green - The reconstruction of seven parks, the improvement of one park and the development of four technical projects are included among the project activities

24 Past experience in Latvian Lithuania cooperation (projects) Public participation (education, training, awarness, information) Live Venta - monitoring of lakes Lake Watch and also voluntary environmental inspectors were trained. The mobile exhibition Lakes for Future ; Education network - trainings for teachers and will develop their educational skills, create innovative curriculum-based educational material for schoolchildren, prepare interactive exhibitions for visitors. (Tervete and Kamanos) Green Environment - The Cognition and Preservation of the Distinctive Identity Through the Environment of Zemgale Region Green Investments - Creating cleaner and greener communities in Latvian-Lithuanian eastern border regions NATURE PROTECT - Effective management and protection of nature resources in Jelgava and Siauliai cities YOUTH FOR NATURE - Increasing of patriotism of local youth in nature protected areas of Augšdaugava and Aukštaitija

25 Fire and risk management 1FIRETEAM- Interaction of Skuodas and Vainode fire and rescue services for life and environment safety (to renew fire rescue equipment: change vehicles, purchase new means necessary for efficient work. In political level, agreements of mutual help in cases of natural disasters between municipalities of Skuodas and Vainode signed) Fire Fighting - Common Fire and Rescue Service Response System on the Border (Panevėžys County Fire Fighting Rescue board and State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia Bauska District )

26 Flood/ fire and risk management CBRM II - Creation of disaster management system in neighbouring regions of Latvia and Lithuania, Phase II (Siauliai and Jelgava) Flood- Creating Flood Emergency Response Team in Latvia and Lithuania Cross Border Region (Siauliai and Jelgava) LatLitCBC - Continuance of Latvia-Lithuania cross-border cooperation in protection of population and environment (Siauliai and Jelgava) Lielupe ECO - Liquidation of Ecological Catastrophes and Pollution in the Territory of the Lielupe River Basin (Siauliai, Panevezys Jelgava)

27 Accident and risk management EAE - Environmental accidents elimination in the Baltic Sea coastal area. Joint training for fire fighters from both nations and people who are involved in dealing with emergencies more than 450 workers in total. New and modern equipment which will help to effectively clean up oil or chemical spills in the environment will provide important assistance to the joint emergency unit.

28 Summary Great experience in environmental awareness activities, sharing experiences between countries Visibility of the outputs of the project are rather week to ensure transferability and replicability A lack of innovations in testing technologies for environmental improvement Current programming period integrate new flood risk management plans with civil defence plans Improve knowledge and information basis on state of the environment in border regions Need to focus on practical implementation challenges in nature and environment management to support improvement of the state of the environment

29 Thank you! Kristina Veidemane, BEF Latvia