State of the Environment Bulgaria 2003
What is being done to solve the problems?
The issues related to noise from transport sources are addressed in accordance with the Road Traffic Act and the related subordinate legislation. At present the European legislation in the sector NOISE is not transposed into the Bulgarian legislation.
The control functions of the MOEW regarding industrial noise are performed by the RIEWs through checks, monitoring and measurement of noise levels:
· For maintaining the limit of the hygienic-protective zone of the industrial enterprises;
· For implementing the conditions of the decisions on EIA;
· For following the conditions for spatial planning of the settlements’ territories.
In 2001 a measurement on the noise impact from 136 industrial enterprises has been made. In 21 of them exceedences of the marginal admissible noise levels were found as per the hygienic norms. The industrial activities in 2 of these checked enterprises were suspended.
For 16 enterprises, subject to EIA procedure, measurements of the noise levels have been made and instructions for noise protective measures have been given.
In connection with the issue of integrated permits, measurements have been made and the total noise level has been determined for 9 enterprises.
The limitation of the noise pollution is a strategic objective of the National Environmental Strategy and the Action Plan of Republic of Bulgaria, adopted by the Bulgarian Government with Decision No.455/June 20, 2001.
Following a proposal of the European Commission, a Framework Directive 2002/49/EC on assessment and management of noise in the environment has been adopted, which defines the main directions of the policy for improving the acoustic environment.
The Directive requires the following main activities:
Determination of the acoustic status of the environment by preparation of “noise maps”, using assessment methods that would be regulated by the European Commission.
Creation of action plans at local level, based on noise mapping, which would aim at limiting noise pollution.
Providing information to the public regarding the noise in the environment and its impact.
The Inter-institutional working group established under the Executive Environmental Agency developed the National Program and Action Plan for improving the acoustic status of the environment. The main objectives envisaged there are:
1. Development and adoption of harmonized legislation that will create the normative basis for administrative compulsion over the institutions, officials and citizens for limiting the noise pollution caused by their activities.
2. Establishment of a working national system for management of the acoustic status of the environment and creation of mechanisms for coordinating the activities of all institutions having relations to the noise pollution problem.
3. Preparation of acoustic projects for the different municipalities with the purpose of regulating noise pollution through appropriate technical or organisational decisions.
Last update on March 2003