ICZM AG Meeting
12th Meeting of the Advisory Group on Development of Common Methodologies for Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Draft Minutes
November 23-24th, 2009, Istanbul, Turkey
Chairman – Mrs. Ekaterina Antonidze, Russian Federation
Abbreviations: AK – Ahmet Kideys; VV - Violeta Velikova; R – Reminder; D – Decision;
The 12th regular meeting of the BSC ICZM AG was carried out in line with the amended Work Plan of the BSC, on 23-24th of November 2009 in Istanbul, Turkey. Initially, it was planned the meeting to take place back to back with the MEDCOAST Conference in Sochi, Russian Federation, 10-14th of November 2009. Due to complications with visas, the PS decided to organize the meeting in Istanbul. The meeting was attended by representatives of all states. Invited guest:
Prof. Dr. Aysegul Tanik
ITU, Istanbul Technical University
Faculty of Civil Engineering
Dpt. of Environmental Eng'g
34469 Maslak-Istanbul
Tel: 90 212 285 6884
email:
A1: Opening and welcome, introduction of participants, approval of the Agenda and minutes of the previous meeting.
The chairman Ms. Ekaterina Antonidze welcomed all, participants presented themselves, the draft Agenda was approved and the minutes of the 11th ICZM AG meeting were discussed, then approved with small amendment proposed by the TU delegation – under Agenda Item A3 regarding the reservations of the TU delegation always expressed in relation to the EIA Guidelines in Transboundary Aspects (incorporated).
VV gave information on the performance of the group in relation to the decisions taken during the 11th meeting and work plan for 2009. All planned activities were addressed, further work is needed with the Progress markers, which will be used to trace the advancements in the region related to management of the coast.
A2: ICZM Reporting
All the states gave presentations, visualizing the data reported according to the new Reporting Format (presentations attached).
BG – Mr. L. Ikonomov. A comprehensive overview of data availability in all sectors reported for 16 municipalities (concentrated in the districts of Varna, Burgas and Dobrich), reasons for gaps and conclusions - very small amount of ICZM data is given at local (municipal) level. On the other hand the boundaries of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coastal Zone according to the legal acts (Bulgarian Law for Spatial Planning of the Black Sea Coast) are not defined as administrative units but as an area at a specified distance from the coastal line not respecting the administrative boundaries or the river basin boundaries. This causes difficulties in analysing the tendencies and planning specific activities oriented at protecting the Black Sea environment.
GE – Mr. M. Gvilava. Progress markers presented for 2009, illustrative maps of GE coastal zone displayed and consideration in relation to the format of annual reporting provided.
In GE there is an operational ICZM AG, which was created in 2002, with its ToR and schedule of meetings. High level officials were involved, working on the ICZM Law in the beginning, and during the ECBSea project the work on the Law continued together with drafting an ICZM Strategy. In case the strategy is approved, it means that the Group will continue existing, and being formally approved by the Government (there was no Ministry order for the creation of the group to avoid unnecessary bureaucracy).
Additional data will be provided for the annual report in mid December.
RO – Mrs. C. Ispas. An overview of legislation development, activities, projects.
There was a question what ‘severe protection’ means. It was clarified that there were different levels of protection and severe means ‘the highest level of protection, no use area’ (in BG they are 6 types + NATURE2000 sites). There are no national indicators to characterize the state of the coastal zone.
RU – Mrs. K. Antonidze (missing presentation)
Questions were raised in relation to some of the Parameters reported, which are not clearly defined. It was decided to change ‘Average Age of Population’ with ‘Duration of life’; ‘Total Energy Consumption by Fuel’ changed to ‘Total electric energy consumption’ ; ‘Green areas’ – are determined according to land ownership (all lands that are not used for agriculture, industry, setllements and are not covered by water); ‘Number of Sanitary Units’ changed to ‘Number of health facilities’.
TU – Mrs. B. Eser& Mrs. E. Bulut. Reported socio-economic structure of TU in Figures and indicators analysed for all sectors included in the ICZM reporting.
At the Municipality level there are no ICZM experts working. At the national level in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry they are about 10-15 dealing with different aspects of ICZM< including spatial planning.
UA – Mrs. Natalia Chyjmakova. Socio-economic structure of UA reported in Figures and indicators analysed. Availability of data explained.
State Inspections deal with effluents and activities at Sea. There are two draft ICZM Laws in UA, one developed by the Ministry and a new one, developed in the frames of the ECBSea project. The coastal zone is defined as the 100 m zone/beach from the sea. UA proposed to add to the Agenda presentations of BG and RO on their ICZM legislation in force. The group agreed.
General remark – some indicators are persistently not reported by states, however, they will stay as a ‘wishful list’.
Presentation of BG on the Law for Spatial Planning. It gives:
1. Definition of a coastal area – 2 km from the coast line.
2. Responsibilities and rights in implementing the law. Responsible institutions, e.g. municipalities, Ministry of Regional Development.
3. Spatial Plans. Major indicator of quality of governing is the number of spatial plans, especially those including the sea area (up to 12 miles offshore). Environmental impact assessments should be provided in the Plans. (Last plan in BG was prepared 12 years ago and it had no water area in it).
The BG law was prepared by national experts, no external consultancy was used. Expert counsel exists, with own Rules of Procedures. However, the experts overviewed all relevant European legislation and other best available practices.
Presentation of RO ICZM law (www.cdep.ro/pls/legis)
1. Based on recommendations from EU on spatial planning
2. Implementation is supervised by the special national Committee of the coastal zone (NCCZ), through its Permanent Secretariat. The coordination of ICZM process and NCCZ is provided by Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development.
Both documents are kindly requested by the ICZM AG, in English.
A3: BS SAP2009 and ICZM. EnviroGRIDS Project.
The discussion on main ICZM activities envisaged in the SAP 2009 was moved to Agenda item N8, to be overviewed together with outlining priorities for future work and Work Plan for 2009/2010.
Mr. Mamuka Gvilava presented the project EnviroGRIDS on behalf of Mr. Myroshnichenko, who is a project expert, working for EnviroGRIDS at the BSC PS (presentation attached). EnviroGRIDS is about exploring the past, present and future hydrology of the Black Sea catchment area. Main message: the task of the Black Sea Commission is to find the gaps in observation systems and data in the Black Sea catchment area.
The group was kindly asked to answer the following questions:
Assessment of pollution loads:
data sources and observation systems
Bulgaria
• Land use (land cover): Corine 2000 is in use;
• Soils: Ministry of Agriculture
• Hydrology: Hydrometeorological service (NIMH?)
• Nutrients in rivers: Ministry of Environment
• Atmospheric (emissions and) deposition: Ministry of Environment, regional agencies (emissions)
Georgia
• Land use (land cover): to be clarified
• Soils: Ministry of Regional Development
• Hydrology: Ministry of Environment
• Nutrients in rivers: Ministry of Environment
• Atmospheric (emissions and) deposition: Ministry of Environment
Romania
• Land use (land cover): ICPA
• Soils: ICPA
• Hydrology: National Water Administration, NIHWM
• Nutrients in rivers: National Monitoring System(?), National Water Administration
• Atmospheric (emissions and) deposition: Ministry of Environment, National Agency for Environmental Protection
Russia
• Land use (land cover): Administration of Krasnodar Kray, Ministry of Regional Development
• Soils: Administration of Krasnodar Kray, Ministry of Regional Development , Ministry of Agriculture
• Hydrology: Agency of Water Resources (?), ROSHYDROMET, ROSPRIRODNADZOR
• Nutrients in rivers : Agency of Water Resources (?), ROSHYDROMET, ROSPRIRODNADZOR
• Atmospheric (emissions and) deposition: ROSPRIRODNADZOR, ROSTEHNADZOR
Turkey
• Land use (land cover): Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Special Environmental Protection Agency (EPASA?), municipalities, Statistics, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Industry and Trade
• Soils: Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Special Environmental Protection Agency (EPASA?),
• Hydrology: Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Electrical Affairs Survey Authority
• Nutrients in rivers : Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs
• Atmospheric (emissions and) deposition: Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Ministry of Health; (to clarify regarding deposition)
Ukraine
• Land use (land cover): State Committee on Land Resources
• Soils: State Committee on Land Resources, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry for Environmental Protection
• Hydrology: State Hydrometeorological Service
• Nutrients in rivers: State Hydrometeorological Service, Ministry for Environmental Protection
• Atmospheric (emissions and) deposition: Ministry for Environmental Protection
The group agreed after the meeting to:
a.Check for mistakes and spelling
b.Provide addresses of web sites
c.Provide contact details of a competent person in these organizations (listed above and for the additional provided after check), who can be contacted for additional info.
Note: if Web Site is absent then official contact details are also kindly requested.
Deadline – two weeks after receiving the draft minutes, submitted together with the comments on the minutes. Please include your contribution straight in the Minutes.
Mrs. Tamar Bakuradze overviewed the SAWT (The soil and water assessment tool) model, which will be used in EnviroGRIDS (presentation attached). The modeling allows to:
· To understand the river basin processes
· Status and trends for river basin resources
· Quantify pressure from various sources
· Identify impacts due to pressures
· Evaluate the response of the river basin due to pressure reduction measures
Mrs. A. Tanik shared experience in application of different models for catchment areas. MONERIS is applicable for large watersheds. American tool HSPF (Ref. to be given…) is a dynamic model, which needs lots of data. In Yesilirmak River Case Study (preparation of integrated river management plan) the INCA model was used (presentation from the DABLAS meeting, 17th November 2009, given by J. Maguire, attached). Publications on application of SAWAT model will be provided by Mrs. Tanik and Mrs. Elif Bulut (PhD thesis).
AK underlined the usefulness of having joint meetings of the ICZM and LBS AGs to discuss river basin management issues, models applied (case studies) and recommend further actions in tackling major problems in water governance and water management in the countries of the Black Sea region.
A4: PEGASO project – implementation plan. The ICZM Activity Center revival.
The objectives of the project were communicated by Mr. M. Gvilava (presentation attached). Activities of the BSC and the ICZM AG were specifies as follows:
1. Development of an ICZM Guideline and indicators to measure the progress in ICZM and assess the state of the coast.
2. Training and education
3. Dissemination.
4. Enhancing collaboration with Institutions dealing with ICZM, bringing best available practices to the Black Sea region. Exchange of experience.
The revival of the ICZM RAC was discussed. The center exists, with the equipment provided in the frames of different projects. It can be revived on the basis of the Institute of Applied Ecology in Krasnodar and actively involved in Pegaso project. The Commissioners (BSC) should also be addressed with the question how the Activity Centers can start functioning in the Black Sea region.
Needs of UA in the field of ICZM reported: Pilot project on integrated coastal zone management including functional zoning of the pilot territory, delimitation of the coastal zone, definition and delimitation of the sensitive zones that require protection and\or special management in the pilot area, the preparation of management plans and implementation of conservation actions at these areas, analysis and determination of the roles of different stakeholders in the usage of natural resources.
A5: EIA Guideline in Transboundary context, revised version
The EIA Guideline draft was discussed. After the first round of consultation in 2008, the document was returned to the ESPOO Convention Secretariat for amending it. The ICZM AG found the amended document still not satisfactory and in need for further development to meet the requirements outlined below:
BG position: A Guideline should help to solve differences in legislation, in a way, all EIA-related procedures to go in the smoothest way, when 2 or more states are involved. We have 6 states in the Black Sea region and 2 of them are not parties to the ESPOO Convention. Before proceeding with the guideline, a thorough analyses of the existing legislation/policy in the BS states in EIA is needed, to find the differences and propose solutions for avoiding them. The guideline as it is today, repeats the Convention and looks like a legal document, not as a Guideline per se. It needs to mention time schedule for the procedure of EIA. And stress on responsibilities (of the proponent, for instance) and authorization for signing of EIA.
GE position: A document with close to legislative language is acceptable for GE. We do not have a legal document in the Black Sea region for all the BS states in EIA. Later, development of such a Protocol is recommendable. The Guideline contains elements different from GE legislation, but it can drive the development of the GE legislation further. Major shortcomings seen: Lacking formal procedure for public participation; The Black Sea is not very much visible; Introduction (Executive Summary) is needed, where the BS states legislation is explained and showing also the role of the Guideline; To check whether all EIA key elements are there.
RO position: agree with BG and GE in the part that the document should include more directions how to perform EIA in transboundary aspect. Consultation with ICZM experts from the BS region is recommendable.
RU position: Russian Federation signed the ESPOO Convention but ratification was pending. RU applies its own legislation/policy in EIA, including international projects. The document in question does not contradict with the Russian legislation, in general, but key differences can be listed as follows.