State of the Environment Bulgaria 2003
Programmes
Parallel to the adoption of laws, active measures are contemplated for their application. The elaboration of such strategies for translation of legislation into reality and ensuring a machinery to verify compliance are a key priority of the environmental policy of the Republic of Bulgaria. The following programmes and strategies have been adopted and are successfully implemented at this stage:
A National Environmental Strategy (NES), elaborated with the participation of national, regional and local institutions, of the business community and non-governmental organizations within the framework of a Phare Twinning 1998 project. The Strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers by Council of Ministers Decision No. 455 of 20 June 2001. The National Strategy is based on fundamental principles of environmental policy, such as preventive control, "polluter pays," integrated policy and environmental protection by government, public and industry. The principal objectives of the Sixth Environmental Action Programme are also incorporated. An Action Plan has been elaborated for each of the objectives set in the NES. The plan covers the 2001-2006 period, although attainment of some of the objectives will require a larger time span. The Action Plan identifies the responsible institutions, the required financing and its sources, as well as the expected effect of performance of particular activities.
A National Waste Management Programme, adopted by the Council of Ministers in 1999. The Programme complies with and is intended to implement effectively the requirements of the EU Council Directive on waste (75/442/EEC). It envisages specific steps for the 1999-2002 period and formulates specific measures for improvement of waste management at the national level. In 2002 the Programme started to be updated for the 2003-2006 period.
National Programme for Priority Construction of Urban Waste-Water Treatment Plants for Settlements Exceeding 10,000 Population Equivalent: the purpose of the Programme is to identify the priorities, by river basin, for construction of urban waste-water treatment plants for all Bulgarian settlements exceeding 10,000 population equivalent, as well as the national short-term priorities for the period ending 2002. The Programme takes into account the requirements of Directive 91/271/EEC. The Programme's updating started in 2002, and it will be extended to cover WWTP for settlements not exceeding 10,000 population equivalent.
A National Strategy for Conservation of Biological Diversity was approved for implementation by the Council of Ministers in 1998. The National Strategy for Conservation of Biological Diversity is a long-term programme elaborated in accordance with the requirements for national planning of activities to achieve the nature conservation objectives of the Convention on Conservation of Biological Diversity of 1992, which Bulgaria has signed. The National Strategy for Conservation of Biological Diversity is the first strategic plan for conservation of biological diversity at the national level to be developed in a country of Central and Eastern Europe.
The National Plan for Conservation of Biological Diversity is one of the obligations arising from the Convention on Conservation of Biological Diversity, as well as a direct outcome of the National Strategy for Conservation of Biological Diversity. The National Plan was adopted by the Council of Ministers in August 1999 and combines measures and activities to be implemented during the 1999-2003 period. The National Plan envisages priority measures for biodiversity conservation and maintenance, the specific activities to be undertaken; the financial resources required for implementation of the activities under the Plan; the mechanism for coordination of the work of the participants in the implementation and the fulfilment of the tasks set in the Plan. The basic requirements of Directives 92/43/EEC and 79/409/EEC and of Regulation EEC/338/97 have been incorporated into the Plan.
National Programme for Phasing out the Production and Use of Leaded Petrol: adopted in April 1998. The principal objective of the Programme is to reduce and prevent the harmful impact of lead aerosols on human health and on the environment through gradual limitation and ultimate discontinuance of the production, import and use of leaded petrol in Bulgaria. An Action Plan (for the 1998-2003 period) has been developed with the Programme, identifying the specific tasks, responsible institutions and implementation deadlines. The Programme has been developed in accordance with the requirements of Directives 98/70/EC and 99/32/EC.
National Action Plan on Climate Change: adopted by the Council of Ministers in 1999. The document responds to the commitments assumed on the part of the Republic of Bulgaria to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by virtue of the Kyoto Protocol to the Framework Convention on Climate Change as ratified, as well as to the requirements of Decision 93/389/EEC. A number of activities, measures, initiatives, approaches and solutions, due for implementation in the period ending 2008, are listed in the Action Plan and, in their entirety, are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the measures included in the Plan, each institution responsible and managing activities generating or absorbing greenhouse gas emissions should elaborate an action plan, appropriately provided with financial and other resources.
National Programme for Measures Necessary in Prolonged Drought Conditions: adopted by Council of Ministers Decision on 30 January 2001. The Programme was launched this year, and the measures envisaged in it are due for implementation during the period ending 2010. The Programme lists priority measures for conservation and maintenance of the national water resources; the specific activities to be undertaken; the financial resources required for performance of activities under the Programme. The Programme calls for immediate regulatory, organizational and investment measures in the following main areas: conservation of water resources; elimination of water supply shortages; provision of water for irrigation; public information and awareness of water saving.
Development and adoption of the following more important new programmes and strategies is forthcoming:
National Programme for Reduction of Hydro fluorocarbons, honouring the commitments assumed by the Republic of Bulgaria under the Montreal Protocol. The Programme is being prepared with the assistance of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and is expected to be ready by October 2002.
Management Plans of protected areas continue to be elaborated.
A Long-term Municipal Programme for Improvement of Ambient Air Quality (Framework Directive 96/62/EC) is to be elaborated shortly.
Last update on March 2003