This document has been verified by the responsible MSP authority (or representative) of Latvia in September 2018.

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2 Contact MSP in general Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ms Ingūna Urtāne Director of Department of Spatial planning Peldu iela 25 Riga, LV-1494 Phone: Ms Kristīne Kedo Head of Spatial planning policy division Department of Spatial Planning Peldu iela 25 Riga, LV-1494 Phone: Strategic Environmental Assessment Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ms Sandija Balka Senior official of Environmental Quality and Waste Management division Department of Environmental protection Peldu iela 25 Riga, LV-1494 Phone: Disclaimer The information contained in this document does not represent the official view of the European Commission. It has been prepared for informational purposes only, and should not be considered legally binding in any nature. The illustrative map shown on the cover and on page 1 should not be interpreted as a legal representation of jurisdictional boundaries. Verification Date This document has been verified by the responsible MSP authority (or representative) of Latvia in September Funding attribution The EU MSP Platform is financed by the EU Commission under the EMFF. The EU MSP Platform is a result of the action MSP Assistance Mechanism implemented by EASME on behalf of DG MARE. European MSP Platform Consortium Contractors with Thetis, University of Liverpool, and NIMRD

3 Background Information Basic facts on Marine Waters Marine waters under Latvian jurisdiction include inland sea waters, territorial sea (12 nautical miles from the baseline) and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) waters. Total area of Baltic Sea waters (including Gulf of Riga) under jurisdiction of Latvia is km 2, covering 668 km 2 of inland sea waters, km 2 of Territorial Sea and km 2 of EEZ. Marine waters of Latvia take up 7.7 % of total area of the Baltic Sea. The Baltic Sea waters under jurisdiction of Latvia border upon Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) authorities and legislation (Governance) Latvian marine waters are owned by the State. Therefore, MSP is organised at national level. The responsibility is divided between respective sectorial ministries (Environment, Agriculture, Transport, Economy), whereby the Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD) has the main responsibility. In 2015 the competence of planning and management of the 2 km zone seawards from coastline has been given to local municipalities. In 2009, local authorities have been reduced from 552 to 119 while there are still 5 planning regions. i General Information on Legislation The legal base for MSP in Latvia is the Spatial Development Planning Law, issued on 1 st of December, 2011, where MSP and the deadline for starting its elaboration (by 1 st of January, 2014) is defined, as well the secondary legislation is prescribed. The Regulation of the Ministers Cabinet (Nr. 740) on Development, Implementation and Monitoring of a Maritime Spatial Plan has been approved by the Latvian Government in ii The content elaboration procedures, as well as implementation and monitoring procedures of MSP, are defined. The MSP Plan must be submitted and announced through ordinary legislative procedures according to the Cabinet of Minister rules of order. The Government shall approve the MSP. The benefits of the new Spatial Development Planning Law are a) the integrated long-term view to all territory and b) to set priorities and development objectives (spatial structure plan). iii MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

4 Other MSP related legislation: Marine Environment Protection and Management Law (2010) defines the maritime spatial planning as a long-term process for development planning aimed at protection of marine environment, resourceefficient use of the sea and integrated management. The law underlines the necessity of maritime spatial planning and requires the application of the ecosystem approach. It also includes the characteristics of the Baltic Sea and takes into account marine environmental status and trends. National report On distribution of competencies among the authorities for MSP (2012, section 40 of the minutes of the Cabinet of Ministers, No. 19). It defines responsibilities of the authorities in development of the plan, as well as states that the MSP shall be developed for land/shore territory that is functionally related with the sea. Maritime Administration and Marine Safety Law; Fishery Law; Law on Specially Protected Nature Territories; Law on Protection Belts; Law on Protection of Cultural Monuments; Law On Subterranean Depths, Law on National Armed Forces, Law on Environmental Impact Assessment, Law on Land Management etc. Several issues of the sea are regulated by the Regulations of Cabinet of the Ministers. At national level, the Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030 (Latvia 2030) from 2010, was the first and main long-term planning document for the country. It defines sustainable development guidelines and Spatial Development Perspective. iv Planning on national level The legal base for MSP is the Spatial Development Planning Law, issued on 1 st of December 2011; with deadline for starting the elaboration (by 1 st January 2014) Marine Environment Protection and Management Law (2010) states the necessity of MSP The Regulation of the Ministers Cabinet (Nr. 740) on Development, Implementation and Monitoring of a Maritime Spatial Plan (2012 Current legislation covers territorial waters (including internal marine waters) and EEZ National MSP authority Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Department of Spatial Planning (MoEPRD) Planning on regional level There exist already several coastal regional strategies, which principally are focused on terrestrial areas. However two regions, which border the sea in their strategies, consider land-sea interaction and ICZM. Regional MSP authority There is none, however local municipalities can plan coastal water areas related to the recreational development. According to the Land Management Law, the terrestrial planning could also cover waters of 2 km wide zone from the coastline. 2 MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018

5 Schematic framework of the area covered by the MSP Details The MoERD was establishing a work group to develop the national regulations on procedure on development, implementation and monitoring of maritime spatial plan. The work on the legislation was largely based on the experience gained within the Interreg project BaltSeaPlan, which made a pilot MSP for Latvian waters of the open Baltic Sea. During the implementation of the BaltSeaPlan the MoERD took active part as well as promoted stakeholder involvement. Several awareness rising events were organised to build a capacity of stakeholders on MSP principles and approaches. The MSP of Latvia will be a long-term (up to 12 years) spatial development document at national level that defines the development objectives and the use of the sea. It considers a terrestrial part, functionally interlinked with the sea and co-ordinating interests of various sectors and local governments in use of the sea. National MSP components are: 1. Explanatory note, which includes an assessment of the current situation and trends, covering: 1.1. Relations of the marine plan to other planning documents and legislation; 1.2. General marine and environmental characteristics; 1.3. Overview of marine natural and cultural resources, including landscapes; 1.4. Information on the sea uses, taking into account environmental, social and economic aspects; 1.5. Marine and terrestrial functional coherence; 1.6. Trend analysis of marine spatial uses. 2. Strategic part (includes long-term development vision, strategic objectives, development guidelines and tasks). MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

6 3. Graphical part, which is made up of a map on marine permitted uses and relevant thematic and schematic maps; 4. Description of permitted marine uses includes: 4.1. Categories and types of permitted sea uses; 4.2. Conditions for marine use of each category and types of use The graphical part of the MSP shall be developed in WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) coordinate system of Mercator projection (57 ) using geodetic (elliptical) coordinates with the determination of scale 1: For the thematic plans of separate marine parts other appropriate sale may be chosen. Source: Summary of Draft MSP for territorial waters and EEZ of Latvia, May 2016; General Applicability (e.g. territorial Sea, EEZ, other distinctions) The above-mentioned legislation applies to all territory of Latvia, including inland sea waters, territorial sea and EEZ. Progress Latvia developed a pilot marine plan under the BaltSeaPlan project for its western coastal sea areas. This work has also stimulated the government of Latvia in early 2012 to start initiatives for legal processes of creating MSP legislation and to begin a real planning process. Development of MSP for whole Baltic Sea area under Latvian jurisdiction was started in 2014 when a national MSP coordination group was established and initial enlightening seminar about national MSP for general public was organized. The first draft of the Latvian MSP was prepared during National public consultations and cross-border consultation within the framework of ESPOO Convention were held in late 2015 and early Currently amendments to the plan are made and the final draft will be prepared by the end of The plan will be approved by the Government in The summary of the 1 st drafts of the MSP and the Environmental Report is accessible with the following link: The final draft of the Latvian MSP and SEIA will be circulated for second transboundary consultation in August MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018

7 Source: Latvia MSP Process until _semin_pr/3_LV_Maritime_Spatial_Plan_Inguna_Urtane.pdf Current progress and future processes for the Latvian MSP Source: Date of publishing: 20 June 2018 Overview of MSP-related uses and issues Currently, use of the marine waters of Latvia differs from intense regarding shipping and fishing to low with a view to the energy sector. Current main uses: shipping, ports, environmental protection, fishing, seashore tourism, sand sites, military territories and scientific activities in the sea (monitoring). Future uses: as in other seas, in the Baltic Sea there is increasing interest in development of wind parks in the open sea area (shore of Kurland). Oil extraction is an option but is hindered by the lack of a ratified border with Lithuania. v MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

8 Estonia has two electricity cables linked to the Finnish grid, and is planning a new high-voltage on land connection with Latvia, but more are needed, also taking into account the future need to connect the off-shore wind farms to the main grid. vi Latvia is also interested in a new connection with Sweden. 6 MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018

9 Maritime Spatial Plans Existing Maritime Spatial Plans There are no effective MSPs in place. A first draft of an MSP is under development. The approval of the MSP by the Cabinet of the Ministers is expected end of Pilot plans or projects Not legally binding: The Interreg project BaltSeaPlan made a pilot MSP for Latvian territorial sea and EEZ waters of the Baltic Sea (see pilot plans below). It serves as an exercise for real planning. The plan was a good practice for stakeholder involvement in planning process: 17 stakeholder events were held in Latvia 245 individuals took part at the stakeholder s events Approx. 450 participants took part at all events in total Core group of stakeholders was established (approx. 30 people) The BaltSeaPlan Report No 16 Developing a Pilot MSP for the Western Coast of Latvia (Dec 2011) is available here: MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

10 Aspects of the MSP process Ecosystem-based approach (EBA) The Cabinet of Ministers regulations on procedure on development, implementation and monitoring of maritime spatial plan (came into force from ) established that MSP shall take into account the marine strategy, nature protected areas, habitats and biodiversity. The development of the Latvian MSP is also in accordance to HELCOM-VASAB Guidelines for the implementation of ecosystem-based approach in MSP. This approach was applied within all steps of MSP development, by assessing the possible negative impacts to nature assets and ecologically significant areas and thus avoiding as much as possible the negative impacts to marine ecosystem. Applying of the best knowledge and practice in MSP was ensured by using the latest available research data on status of marine environment and sea use, as well as developing new data sets on distribution of fish species and fishery activity, compiling a map on sea bottom sediments, which served as a basis for mapping of benthic habitats and potential of ecosystem service supply. Mapping of ecosystem services Characterisation of the ecosystem services was based on the CICES v4.3 (2013) 1 classification system proposed by the EC MAES working group 2, where ecosystem services are considered in three categories regulation and maintenance, provisioning and cultural services. The biophysical mapping of ecosystem services was performed using the available spatial data sets as well as hypothetical assessment based on expert knowledge. The ecosystem service maps were used to assess the impacts of the MSP scenarios and proposed solutions for the permitted use of the sea. The regulation and maintenance services were mapped using the benthic habitat map - the ecosystem services within each habitat type were assessed based on expert knowledge thus using the habitats types as proxy for distribution of the ecosystem service. Assessment in relative scale at this stage was not possible due to a lack of relevant research data from Latvian marine waters. 1 CICES Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services. Available at: 2 MAES - Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services, EC working group for implementation of the Task 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018

11 Provisioning services were mapped in two different maps fish for food and algae and their outputs. Total catch of commercially important fish can be transferred in real economic outputs, while the red algae Furcellaria lumbricalis beds were mapped as potential resource, which can be used in food industry, pharmacy, microbiology, etc. MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

12 Cultural services were assessed in relation to possibilities for marine tourism and leisure activities at the coast. The assessment value of each grid cell was obtained by combination of several criteria: number of visitors; suitability of the area (or best place) for particular tourism or leisure activity/life style (e.g. angling, bird watching, kiteboard, etc.); and accessibility presence of parking lots and public access roads near the coast. The map of cultural services also clearly ilusatrates were is the strongest linkage between land and sea in terms of coastal tourism. Land-sea interactions The link is established in the law by requiring the MSP to take into account functional links with land use. 10 MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018

13 In the frame of the Estonian-Latvian cooperation project related to ICZM and MSP, the methodology on how to implement functional linkage in MSP was developed, based on the pilot example in the Kurzeme region. Methodology in Latvian with English summary is published. vii Within the legislation on MSP is no indication on landward limits, but just the overall requirement that the principle of land-sea-linkage shall be implemented. Until now, the terrestrial planning excluded coastal waters, except port administrative areas. For all that coastal municipalities are allowed to plan coastal waters since 2015, there are no plans drafted or initiated on local level that includes coastal waters up to 2 km. Coherence with other processes Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) The MoEPRD has outsourced a feasibility study on the development of the Programme of Measures (PoMs) for achieving good environmental status. A permanent Marine Council has been established by the MoEPRD in The Marine Council shall meet at least bi-annually. The Marine Council is composed of 19 members representing relevant ministries, key stakeholders including environmental NGOs. Documents prepared for the Marine Strategy are published at the web-site of the Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology which has been appointed by the law as the competent authority for the initial assessment, development of criteria for assessing GES, setting the targets, drafting the marine monitoring programme. The Institute and the MoEPRD also ensure accessibility to the information and organise public participation. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) On April 20, 2011, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted the national level Strategy for Coastal Spatial Development for prepared by the MEPRD. The Strategy lays down the foundations for comprehensive and complementary planning of the activities, which can be located in coastal zones according to national and regional priorities. Strategic Environmental Assessment Strategic Environmental Assessment of MSP is implemented according to the national legislation: Law on Environmental Impact assessment ( Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers No 157, Procedures for Carrying Out a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment, enforced on ( kartiba-kada-veicams-ietekmes-uz-vidi-strategiskais-novertejums) The competent authority for the SEA is Environment State Bureau. The consultation on scoping the SEA took place in February The Bureau provided the guidelines on what shall be the covered by the SEA as well as which institutions shall be consulted within the process. The work on SEA can be grouped also into two phases: assessing the existing environmental situation in marine areas (by the end of June, 2015) and assessing impacts of the optimal solution of the use of the sea (by end of November, 2015). To ensure the consistency of the environmental data used for the MSP and SEA, the results of the characterization of the environmental status and trends are similar in both documents. The main resource of the data and information is the initial assessment report developed for implementation of the Marine Strategy framework Directive in The draft Environment Report is available. viii MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

14 Stakeholder Involvement The national legislation on procedures how to develop MSP includes a provision on the establishment of a trans-disciplinary national working group. The aim of setting up such a working group is to ensure regular involvement and participation of public authorities, planning regions, coastal municipalities and members of the society in maritime planning process. The working group is lead by the Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MoEPRD), which is in charge of MSP in the country. Public participation is implemented by formal (associations, foundations, trade unions, employers organisations, religious organisations) and informal (unregistered initiative groups, interest associations) groups of the public as well as individual natural persons. Stakeholder involvement is a core issue within the MSP process. Almost 400 stakeholders have been identified and contacted. These key stakeholders represent all sectors relevant to the use of the sea and planning levels. Source: MSP for territorial waters and EEZ of Latvia, June 2015; At the national level, between 2015 and 2016, stakeholder involvement took place through a number of sectoral (18 meetings) and cross-sectoral meetings (6 meetings); citizen participation was also encouraged in public hearing events (5 hearings). Stakeholder groups were well represented and included governmental bodies, civil society groups and representatives from the private sector. The focus of the meetings differed; the first phase set the scope on sectoral interests and discussed development directions, with the second phase examining scenarios and the third phase discussing and agreeing upon potential solutions for national and cross border issues. The overall objective of the meetings was to: Introduce and discuss the national process elaboration of Latvian MSP; Obtain information on development interests, strategic objectives and sea space demands from different sectors; Discuss visions for sea use up to 2030 as well as strategic objectives and tasks of MSP; Evaluate four alternative sea use scenarios, which served as a basis for the development of optimum solutions for permitted sea use; Identify priorities and criteria for the allocation of space for different sea uses; Inform about cross-border co-operation within the frame of the Baltic Scope project. Thematic meetings were organized according to sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, environment, shipping, main (large) harbours, energy in general, wave energy, wind energy, national security, and tourism. Cross-sectoral meetings were organized involving stakeholders from the environment, shipping, fisheries, local governments, security & defence, cultural heritage, tourism and energy sectors At the outset, discussions within the meetings primarily focused on national issues. With the launch of the Baltic Scope project, cross-border issues were added to the debate with the consequence that both national 12 MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018

15 and transnational challenges would inform the debate across all levels of governance. Within individual sectoral meetings, stakeholders outlined development interests, strategic objectives and demands for sea space. Economic issues dominated discussions; however, environmental and social impacts were also addressed. All sectors were equally represented in discussions, but shipping and national defence were the most dominant sectors in expressing their views, especially in relation to new developments such as offshore wind farms. Trans-boundary cooperation Latvia is a member of the Joint HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group. The legal procedure for transboundary consultation is laid down in the legislation on SEA. Therefore, a notification letter issued by the Environment State Bureau (under MoEPRD) was sent to the competent authorities of Estonia, Sweden and Lithuania on March 27, ix The letter informed about launch of the MSP and asked about the interest in transboundary consultation on SEA. It was pointed out that it is rather uncertain to state about which environmental impacts will have likely to have significant effects on the environment in the neighboring country at the early stage of the development of the MSP. The positive responses on the interest to take part in the transboundary SEA consultation were received from all three countries by the end of April, Initial trans-boundary meetings with Estonia and Lithuania were held in July The purpose of the meetings was to introduce the Latvian MSP and SEA process, provide information on the current status and discuss scenarios. In November 2015, Latvia informed Estonia, Sweden and Lithuania that national public consultations will be carried out from December 15 th, 2015, until January 31 st, 2016, and encouraged neighboring countries to organize trans-boundary consultations simultaneously. Only Lithuania asked for a public consultation meeting. As the elaboration and translation of the documentation was delayed, the consultation period was prolonged till 4 th of March The trans-boundary SEA consultation meeting was held in The Lithuanian Ministry of Environment at the end of January Written comments from Estonia and Sweden were received in the early March Currently, comments are being processed and will be taken into account with comment from Lithuania arriving in due course. The Ministry of the Environmental Protection and Regional Development of Latvia is taking part in the DG Environment Project BALTIC SCOPE Towards coherence and cross-border solutions in Baltic Sea Maritime Spatial Plans. In the frame of the project transboundary cooperation on particular spatial planning issues will be fostered with Estonia and Sweden. The format of trans-boundary cooperation within BALTIC SCOPE was thematic meetings, where 4 sectors shipping, energy, fisheries and environment were discussed. On first thematic meeting in December 2015 discussions were organized in sector-based groups only, where the priorities of the sector and their role in MSP process for each country were discussed. The second thematic meeting in February 2016 allowed for an active cross-sectorial discussion. This dialogue took place in two separate groups in bilateral sessions so that one sector engages in a discussion with one other sector at the time. The task given in each of these sessions was to identify the possible synergies and the existing/potential conflicts between the sectors. The next phase of transboundary consultation on Latvian MSP and SEA is expected to begin in August 2018 through to Future consultations are to be transboundary and not only involve countries on its sea borders but across all Baltic countries. Source: Latvian MSP and SEA consultation process up until the end of Latvia has its sea borders with Lithuania, Sweden and Estonia who were consulted with regard to development of the MSP and SEA. MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September

16 Sources Consulted references HELCOM-VASAB Country Fiches from February 2016 and June 2018: MSP for territorial waters and EEZ of Latvia (June 2015): Relevant legislative acts National report On distribution of competencies among the authorities for MSP (2012, section 40 of the minutes of the Cabinet of Ministers, No. 19). Regulations of Cabinet of Ministers No.740 Procedure of development, implementation and monitoring of maritime spatial plan (2012), Spatial Development Planning Law (2011), tes/default/docs/lrta/likumi/spatial_development_planning_law.doc+&cd=2&hl=de&ct=clnk&gl= de Marine Environment Protection and Management Law (2010) Sustainable Development Strategy of Latvia until 2030 (2010), Specific citations i ii Available in English, _Developmentx_Implementation_and_Monitoring_of_the_Maritime_Spatial_Plan.doc) iii iv 8 th VASAB Ministerial Conference for Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region. Statements and Documents. Tallinn, September vi 8 th VASAB Conference of Ministers Responsible for Spatial Planning and Development of the Baltic Sea Region. September 2014, Tallinn, Estonia. vii unkcionalas_sasaistes_nodrosinasanu viii ix 14 MSP Country Information Profile Latvia September 2018