Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro

Legal basis

The Environmental Protection Agency was established on November 12, 2008. The Agency is conceived as an operative implementation authority of the law on environmental protection. It has taken over part of affairs and employees of the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Welfare. After its establishment, the Government of Montenegro has adopted the Rulebook on internal organization and systematization of the Environmental Protection Agency, whereby it began operation formally and legally on March 1, 2009.

Organisation of the Environmental Protection Agency

Internal organizational units are:

§  Department for monitoring, analysis and reporting

§  Department for the permit issuing

§  Department for communication and information system management

§  Department for environmental inspection

§  Department of legal and financial affairs

Eighty positions have been systematized by the Rulebook. Presently at the Agency, there are fourteen permanently employed persons, thirty two trainees and thirty four employees on the basis of contract (contract employees).

In the Department for monitoring, analysis and reporting, affairs are performed which refer to: the preparation of environmental monitoring programs that contain monitoring programs of particular segments of the environment and regions, set out in special regulations; the systematic measurement, analysis and assessment of indicators of the state the environment and its pollution that encompass the monitoring of natural factors, or the change of the state and properties of the environment, including the cross-border monitoring; the analysis of information obtained on the monitoring basis, which are relevant for the drafting of reports and strategies on the state of the environment and its protection; the preparation and maintenance of the database on the environment; the preparation of environmental protection plans and programs; participation in environmental data exchange networks; cooperation with the European Commission on the environment.

In the Department for the permit issuing, affairs are performed concerning the issue of integrated permits: for plants for which the necessity for an integrated license has been determined by a special regulation; for a strategic assessment and the EIA (the Environmental Impact Assessment); for the cross-border movement of waste; for an installation for waste collection in ports; for waste management; for the collection, use, breeding, keeping and trafficking of wild animals species; for the picking, collection, use, cultivation, keeping and movement of wild herbs and fungi; for scientific and educational researches on protected natural resources; for cave activities; for the export, import and transit of sources of ionization, radiation and radioactive materials; for the export and import of substances that deplete the ozone layer, reporting, export and import of chemicals; as well as the monitoring of regulations related to conditions and procedures of the issue of permits; the establishment and keeping of records of requirements for the issue and alteration of permits, issued and denied permits; consultation with the permit holder and potential permit candidates, including the counseling with the permit holders and candidates; the establishment and maintenance of the register of pollutants and the register of ionizing radiation sources, radioactive materials and sources of a low ionizing radiation risk; the keeping of records defined by special regulations.

In the Department for communication and information system management, affairs are performed that refer to: the preparation of bulletins, booklets, notifications, information, etc.; the establishment and maintenance of contacts with media and the public promotion of the Agency; the design and implementation of campaigns on the public representation of environmental issues; the creation and management of the website of the Agency; the drafting and implementation of (educational) programs for the purpose of raising awareness about the environment; direct and permanent communication with international organizations which deal with environmental protection, especially with the European Commission’s environment department; the exchange of information through national and international networks; the development of the strategy and communication in public relations; the development of informational technologies for the Agency, drafting and maintenance of the information system database of the Agency.

In the Department of environmental inspection, affairs are performed which refer to: ensuring of the implementation of legal acts and bylaw acts within the area of environmental protection; the performance of direct inspection; making of the minutes of performed supervision; taking of administrative measures and actions with a view to the removal of irregularities; making of reports, information and analysis of work on the regular basis, keeping of prescribed records and other affairs defined by inspection regulations.

In the Department of legal and financial affairs, affairs are preformed which refer to: the preparation and adoption of regulations and general acts of the Agency; the preparation of programs, agendas and reports on work; the monitoring of the implementation of regulations and directives of the European Union; the preparation of particular acts on the exercise of rights of employees; keeping of Central staff records on civil servants and state employees; proceedings by the Law on free information access; the public procurement for needs of the Agency; other organizational, legal, material and financial affairs, especially the preparation and execution of the preliminary estimate of funds; drafting of a financial plan; the conduct of business books; drafting of periodic and final accounts; treasury management; book-keeping businesses; office management; archival work, work of drivers of motor vehicles, delivery services and other businesses in accordance with regulations.

Within the scope of affairs of the Agency that refer to: the issue of permits, monitoring, drafting of analysis and reports, inspection and communication with relevant domestic and international bodies and organizations, as well as with the public; other affairs defined by this law and special regulations are performed.

It is provided that the Agency cooperates with international bodies and organizations of other countries that deal with environmental protection, especially with the European Environment Agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and that it participates in the work of professional networks within the European Union, as well as in similar agencies in other countries.

Budget

Means for the Agency are provided from the Budget of Government of Montenegro and donations. Budget for 2009 for the needs of Environmental Protection Agency was planned to be 1.100.000,00 Eur. At the end of July 2009 Assembly of Montenegro has voted revised budget for 2009, and connected with coping with the consequences of financial crisis, budget of Environmental Protection Agency was reduced to 942.743,06.

Projects

·  Within the scope of MB IPA 2007 these projects were realised:

-  Assessment of the needs and proposition of the activity for strengthening the capacity in preventing unauthorized traffic of nuclear and radioactive materials in countries of Western Balkan

-  Managing medical radioactive waste

-  Security of closed radiation sources

-  Norm and Tinorm

-  Security of closed radiation sources

-  Unauthorised traffic of nuclear and radioactive materials

-  Monitoring activities

-  Removals of radioactive lightning – rods on the territory of Montenegro

·  Within the scope of the MB IPA 2008 projects are realised:

-  Strengthening of regulatory infrastructure

·  Until the end of 2009, the beginning of the implementation of the Twining projects of EU Commission which represents support to the strengthening of personnel capacity of the Environmental Protection Agency. As partner country Italy has been chosen on tender.

Formal and legal conditions for functioning of the Environmental Protection Agency are realised, but in order to function in its full capacity it is necessary to remove financial borders and to define responsibilities more precisely through law. Great number of started activities encourage that the Environmental Protection Agency will significantly contribute to the better implementation of law, fulfilling international obligations and of course environmental protection in Montenegro.

More information on www.epa.org.me

Address & Contact:

Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro

IV Proleterske 19

Podgorica

81000

Montenegro

Telephone: +382 20 618 250

Fax: +382 20 618 246

e-mail: