Ministry of Environment and
Water
State of the Environment Bulgaria 2003
The right to access to information relating to the environment and the right of the public to participate in the decision-making process is another essential part of the legislative framework. This component is present in all legal procedures. It is also in harmony with the political commitment that the Government has assumed by signing the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (better known as the Aarhus Convention). Public opinion is invariably reckoned with in environmental management decision-making.
The legal aspect, however, is just one side of the environmental protection policy. Application of legislative standards is formulated in the action plans and programmes. The effective National Environmental Strategy of Bulgaria outlines the framework of practical actions that have to be taken in environmental protection during the period ending 2006.
A Strategy of Bulgaria for Absorption of the Community Instrument for Structural Policies for Pre-accession (ISPA) has also been elaborated and adopted. Under the ISPA Strategy, some EUR 350 million will be invested over a period of seven years (2000-2006) in environmental infrastructure projects, on a priority basis in construction of urban waste-water treatment plants, of household waste treatment facilities and hazardous waste disposal sites in compliance with European limit values and standards.
In the Waste Management Sector, a National Waste Management Programme is under implementation. The National Programme includes an Action Plan and an Investment Programme and is updated once every five years, and the Programme lists measures with fixed deadlines, specific implementers, and indicated financial resource requirements.
In the Water Quality Sector, a National Programme has been elaborated for Priority Construction of Urban Waste-Water Treatment Plants (UWWTP) for Settlements Exceeding 10,000 Population Equivalent. A need to build 104 UWWTP has been identified in Bulgaria, with 36 national projects prioritised, and their construction, extension, remodelling or updating is in progress or is nearing completion.
Other sectoral programmes have been adopted and are being implemented as well, in connection with the phasing out of the production and use of leaded petrol, discontinued use of ozone-depleting substances, and conservation of biological diversity. A National Action Plan on Climate Change has been elaborated as well.
Last update on March 2003