The Latvian Environment Protection Fund Administration, together with the co-operation partners - National Botanical Gardens, Latvian Natural Museum, Riga National Zoo, State Environmental Service, Latvian Hydroroecology Institute, Natural Protection Board, Latvian Agricultural University and the State Plant Protection Service - has launched a project co-financed by the Cohesion Fund No. 5.4.2.2/17/I/002 “Development of national environmental monitoring programmes and control systems and promotion of public participation by improving the implementation of infrastructure for environmental information and educational centres of national importance”.
The aim of the project is to develop a national environmental monitoring and control system by improving the technical provision of the responsible authorities, as well as promoting public participation in environmental management by modernising environmental education and information centres of national interest and by implementing public engagement measures.
What will be done in Latvia?
Developed and modernised environmental monitoring system Why does that matter?
- By obtaining more accurate, timely, comprehensive and high-quality data in environmental monitoring, the responsible authorities can identify and address risks to nature and human health more quickly. Qualitative data is also important in the process of developing environmental policy and in the planning of environmental and nature protection measures.
Result of project activities
- National environmental monitoring programmes for developed waters, land and biodiversity, improving the technical equipment for monitoring.
Areas of monitoring are developed and modernised in the Cohesion Fund project:
- Inland waters monitoring
- Monitoring of marine waters
- Soil monitoring
- Monitoring of invasive species (Sosnovska hogweed)
- Monitoring of migratory birds
Improved technical provision for environmental control measures Why does that matter?
- During the financial crisis, the capacity of the authorities controlling the environment was significantly reduced, which also affected the quality of control. In order to improve control measures in areas relevant to society, such as pollution and radiation control, technical provision of the State Environmental Service will be improved.
Result
- Optimised control measures in the areas of environmental pollution, radiation, surface waters, subterranean depths and fisheries control, as well as the prevention of environmental risks by establishing an emergency control centre.
Areas of environmental control technical security is improved:
- Marine Proper Control
- Surface water control
- Fishing control
- Radiation control
- Control of the use of subterranean depths
- Establishment of a risk, accident and emergency control centre
Three National Environmental Information Centres upgraded Why does that matter?
- Environmental Information Centres of National Interest shall provide visitors with a high-quality opportunity to engage in climate change, the consumption of natural and energy resources, as well as the reduction of environmental pollution.
Result
- Modernised rooms and equipment in three information centres of national interest and measures to inform and engage the public, promoting environmental awareness and educating at least 15,000 people in the field of nature and environmental protection.
What is improving in environmental information centres of national interest?
- Riga National Zoo
- National Botanical Gardens in Salaspille
- Natural History Museum of Latvia
The activities of the project are to be implemented over a period of 4 years from 30 November 2017 to 29 November 2021, with costs planned at EUR 7 069 787.87 t. see EUR 5 945 241 (84%) Cohesion Fund funding, EUR 828 387.38 (12%) public budget financing and EUR 296 159.49 (4%) private funding.
For details on the project, please contact the project manager:
Arthur Tribis
email: arturs. tribis@lvafa.gov.lv
tel. : 28665584