Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in ...

Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe – Final Report
Table 21: Degree of Implementation of ICZM Progress in Black Sea Countries
Degree of Implementation of ICZM Process in Black Sea Countries
Bulgaria
1) Is there a holistic
thematic and geographic
perspective in the
process?
2) Is there a long-term
perspective envisaged?
3) Is an adaptive management
approach applied
during a gradual process?
4) Is the process localcontext
specific?
5) Does the ICZM respect
and work with natural
processes?
6) Is the process based on
participatory planning and
management?
7) Does the process
support and involve all
relevant administrative
bodies?
8) Is there a balanced
combination of
instruments in planning
and management?
There is no co-ordination and coherency between the main socio-economic activities at national
and regional level. There is a domination of state centralization and legislative institutions on the
ICZM activities and operations. The Draft Law for Bulgarian Black Sea coast constitution
determines the management regulations, but not to the required extent.
If the required efforts for achievement of more coherent organization will be exerted in
collaboration with EU institutions, then the National ICZM will improve significantly in the next 20
years.
Insufficient information
Insufficient information
The integration of the natural ecosystem in all aspects (physical, coastal, chemical, biological) is
not in the field of vision of the public and state policy. Climate changes (such as increasing of
frequency and intensity of extreme storms, sea level rising) and the process of coastal and beach
erosion are not included in the program of governmental and legislative institutions. The
involvement of scientific expertise, public discussions and education programmes on these issues
are not conducted.
The main crucial problem is that the national scientific institutions are being ignored during the
preparation, consideration and confirmation of the National ICZM. The coastal zone residents are
not aware and well informed about important coastal issues and there are no established
mechanisms for their participation in decision-making. Non-governmental organizations have a
symbolic participation. Private business sector participation is very active, but not in interest of the
State.
All decisions are taken by the local, regional and national governments, and because of the state
monopoly the coordination between them is missed.
Categorically these are the main gaps in the state policy of main directions in the scope of
National ICZM. What is also observed is that the results of scientific investigations are rarely
taken into account in the consideration of the coastal zone planning and management.
Romania
1) Is there a holistic
thematic and geographic
perspective in the
process?
2) Is there a long-term
perspective envisaged?
3) Is an adaptive management
approach applied
during a gradual process?
4) Is the process localcontext
specific?
Yes, the ICZM strategy outline was built taking into account an intersectoral, holistic approach.
The development of the Outline Strategy took into account the geographic perspective, various
geographic units being dealt with according to the peculiarities for each zone. Development plans
for each of the zones are proposed to be regulated according to the distance from the shoreline in
various ways.
The strategy’s targets aim at the year 2020. Principles of sustainable development of the
Romanian coast have been included in the overall aim and sectoral development strategies
outlined in the document. Even though climate change is indicated as increased hazard for the
Romanian coast and reccomendations exist mentioning that a special attention must be given to
these changes, no thorough study has been yet included in the strategy yet.
Adaptive planning is foreseen, and significant changes in the state of the coast will be dealt with
by the National Committee in order to provide adaptive measures to improve the situation and/or
change the existing strategies.
The Outline Strategy is sensibly different for the two main geographic divisions of the coast.
Approaches for solving potential conflicts between users are also included. Data availability is
subject to the Romanian Law regarding the Availability of Public Information. Protection of the
Romanian Coast against erosion is currently the subject of several feasibility studies, and plans
for the entire protection exist till the year 2020. Water quality issues are being dealt with mainly
within the implementation of the WFD. Projects are underway for the construction of waste water
treatment plants in significant hot spots.
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