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

Evaluation of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) in Europe – Final Report
Degree of Implementation of ICZM Principles in the Baltic Sea Countries
Latvia
measurement techniques and ecological dynamics. The information gathered by the environmental
monitoring programmes is mostly accessible. No information is provided on economic instruments
(e.g. taxes, subsidies, incentives), nor on their interlinkage with other activities
addressing environmental issues Economic issues revolve mainly around port development and
offshore wind farms as alternative income.
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?
Thematic perspective not fully comprehensive due to gaps in stocktaking. Actions are
subordinated to four administrative/planning levels: local, district, planning region, and national.
The national spatial planning documents typically operate on a 20 year horizon. It is important to
secure that processes of similar time frame, e.g. global change and coastal erosion, are taken
into account.
Necessity to involve environmental and socio-economic monitoring with associated loops of
adaptive management have been proposed by various projects. The Report does not refer to any
application of adaptive management, although, the elements of adaptive management are
present in the National Planning documentation.
Information on the coastal zone is still inadequate, but gradually accumulating, especially within
the limits of MPAs, areas under WFD coastal waters monitoring and coastal fish survey areas.
Data on cultural heritage are given a lower priority. The implementation of LIFE projects, datasets
are now available to assist coastal planners at the local scale
Coastal conservation measures have been taken, such as dune protection, grazing management
of meadows, strengthening of dunes; removal of alien species plants and shrubs, reed cutting
have been performed within this project. It is not clear however how these activities will be
sustained for long periods of time, since they are project-based. The conservation of cultural
heritage is given a lower priority compared to that given to the preservation of the natural
environment.
It must be noted that since the coastal zone is a very sensitive area due to the vested interests of
different stakeholders, the recommendations of Natura2000 sites and protected biotopes, if
implemented, would change land use and its value considerably. Relationships between local
residents and local governments may be stressful enough due to the specific management
actions needed. Residents usually consider that nature protection measures are exaggerated, or
even suspect that the introduced restrictions are deliberately aiming at forcing down land prices.
Because ICZM is not separated from the general Spatial planning and development, administrative
bodies of all levels are full partners of the process.
Laws and regulations are deemed sufficient; Voluntary agreements could be more elaborated.
Since there are no specific organizations responsible for ICZM, there is no umbrella to initiate
such voluntary agreements; Research and education requires financial sustainability, especially
to maintain coastal monitoring. Data portals on coastal dynamics are much lacking; Information
provision is lacking; Economic instruments may be helpful since gaps exist between regulatory
basis and capacity to enforce implementation.
Lithuania
1) Is there a holistic
thematic and geographic
perspective in the
process?
2) Is there a long-term
perspective envisaged?
The comprehensive plan of the national territory, prepared under the Supervision of the Ministry
of the Environment, addresses integrated development strategy and regional policies. The Plan
forms the main directions of the regional policy and to define the main guidelines and planning
preconditions for national special and country level comprehensive and special plans. One of the
common territorial structure identified is a guarantee of landscape and biodiversity protection,
including nature framework, use and protection of cultural heritage territories; to provide
favourable conditions for public use of coastal amenities for leisure purposes.
The Klaipeda county master plan has been developed, and some issues of ICZM can be
regarded as state policy as Klaipeda County covers the whole coastal area of Lithuania. The
master plan aims to provide clear guidelines for sustainable and integrated development priorities
of the Klaipeda county until the year 2020. It is to become a key part of the state spatial planning
system and a guide for other plans.
18 August 2006 88