"Conservation and wise use of wetlands in the Mediterranean basin - focus on the Kune-Vaini Lagoon"

EC PHARE Programme, Karavasta Lagoon - Wetland Management Project, November 1995

1. Development of Lake Sevan protection policy;
2. Strengthening of institutional capacities within the Republic for sustainable use of the natural resources of Lake Sevan and its basin;
3. Identification of priority environmental protection issues

There is no special report, but the materials of the International Conference Lake Sevan (16-19.10.96), Problems and Actions Strategy have a relations with the Ramsar Wise Use of Wetlands Guidelines.

The Ramsar SGF 1998 funded project Inventory of Armenian Ramsar Sites: in search of ways for Restoration of the lost and rehabilitation of endangered waterfowl habitats, prepared by the Ministry of Nature Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Academy of Science

Env. Ministry of Armenia "Biodiversity of Armenia, Yerevan 1999

The following sectors are most important for wetland protection: Water management, agriculture, energy production, fisheries, forestry and recreation. The Ministry of Environmental Protection, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy are together responsible for the implementation of the Environmental Action Plan.

Publication:

• ÖBMU, Oesterreichische Feuchtsgebietsstrategie, Klagenfurt 1999
• Umweltbundesamt, Oesterreichischer Ramsar Plan, Wien 1995;

Moreover there have been established a National Biodiversity Committee and an interministerial Committee on Climate Change.

related publications:

National Strategy and Action Plan for the Conservation and sustainable use of Biological Diversity in the Republic of Belarus, Minsk 1998; Framework for the Integrated Land-Use Plan for the Mid-Yaselda Area in Belarus, EPCEM study reports, Wageningen 1998

(M) The Région Wallonne has an Order on Wetlands of Biological Interest, 1989;(M)

The Decree Concerning the Conservation of Nature and the Natural Environment, 1997, of the Flemish Region includes the Ramsar definition of wetlands (M)

• Concrete conservation measures have been applied for 14 most important wetlands (from all 15 wetlands included in the Plan). All these activities were sponsored by France, Switzerland, Monaco, and several international organizations as Ramsar Convention Bureau, Birdlife International, WWF - Austria, and others. The National plan gives the priority to several Bulgarian wetlands and to several main conservation measures for them. Unfortunately the National plan has played its role and needs to be renewed and all newly gathered scientific information through the Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Program to be added.

There is a need for new National Plan covering the whole country and National Wetland Inventory also. The above mentioned National Plans are in the priorities of:

• Ministry of Environment and Waters;
• National Forestry Department (Formal Committee of Forestry) at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Agriculture Reforms;
• Several National NGOs as Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, Green Balkans Federation;
• Bulgarian-Swiss Biodiversity Conservation Program (BSBCP), GEF Project; the Foundation "Le Balkan", Green Danube Project, and others.

- National Action Plan for the Conservation of the Most Important Wetlands in Bulgaria, 1995 (M)

), further report see National report COP 7, 2.7.

• the National Strategy for the Conservation of Biodiversity, prepared in 1993 with the help of USAID - the problems of Bulgarian wetlands are discussed in details in a separate chapter of the National strategy. This strategy was approved officially by the Council of Ministers in March 1998.
• Bulgarian CORINE Biotopes Project - 31 of all 141 such sites are wetlands. This project was implemented with financial support of PHARE Program in the period 1996-98.
• Important Bird Areas in Bulgaria (a book, published in 1997) - significant part (27 of all 50 such areas) are wetlands. They are described comprehensively.
• A National action plan for the conservation of the Biodiversity is under preparation with financial support from UNDP. A huge team of scientists and experts is involved. A separate chapter of this plan is devoted to the Bulgarians wetlands and their Biodiversity. The plan will be ready in the first half of 1999 and will be in the priorities of several Bulgarian ministries In all these processes the MoEW has played the leading role.

To date, local communities, NGOs and the tourism sector have been involved in wetland conservation projects (M).

Unfortunately after 3 governmental changes since January 1997 the established National Ramsar Committee is not functioning more. There is a process of establishing of new one.

The Nature Conservancy "Dobrogea" incorporates two municipalities and several governmental and NGOs. It works with funds provided by French government.

Coastal Management in Croatia, Zagreb 1998

• to recognize that wetlands are the most endangered ecosystems in Croatia;
• to prevent the loss of remained natural wetlands;
• to ensure active protection measures for natural wetlands, especially the small Mediterranean wetlands
• to make management plans for protected wetlands, with priority being given to Ramsar sites, especially Kopacki Rit and Neretva Delta
• to strengthen management of wetlands on local level
• to make inventory and evaluation of Croatian wetlands, including designation of new potential Ramsar sites and protected areas
• to make action plans for threatened wetland sites
• to protect watercourses and wetland areas from the pollution
• to plan long-term actions on restoration of degraded natural wetlands, specially in the Mediterranean area, as well as on improving natural conditions on artificial water and wetland biotopes
• to improve data collection, inventories and monitoring on wetlands
• to raise public awareness and to promote the protection and wise use of wetlands.

- Prach K., Jeník J., Large A.R.G. 1996: Floodplain Ecology and Management. SPB Academic, Amsterdam.

Another main sector that has an impact on water management of wetland is Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for water management in the five Czech river catchment areas. Each Area has a management body, which was formerly under the responsibility of the Environmental Ministry (M).

The forestry sector plays also an important part (M).

The Department of Nature Protection (Ministry of Environment) will be the main governmental institution responsible for the implementation of the policy. The Czech Ramsar Committee will be at least consulted in the process (M)

The main function of the Czech RC is to be an advisory board for the Minister of Environment in the field of conservation (including legislation) and wise use of wetlands.

Modus operandi: regular meetings, at least twice a year, nearly always together with the scientific and research panel. This panel has nowadays 27 members from Universities, Academy of Science and also the representatives from all Czech Ramsar sites. The members for CRC are designated by the Minister of Environment, the members of panel are designated by the meeting of CRC.

In 1995 as part of the Danish national strategy for the conservation of Biodiversity according to the Convention on Biodiversity it was stated that the area of lakes, marshes, bogs and water-courses during the next 30 years should be increased with 30,000 ha and in addition 8,000 ha of former salt-marshes should be restored during the same period. Subsequently these targets have been confirmed and to a certain extent increased:

In February 1998 a broad political decision was taken by the Parliament to restore - during the period 1998-2003 - 16,000 ha of former wetlands according to the so called "Action Plan for the Aquatic Environment II". It has the specific aim to reduce the emissions of nutrients (Nitrate) to the aquatic environment, e.g. the extensive shallow brackish and marine waters. Besides, incentives and considerably efforts have been and are continuously made to reduce eutrophication of the remaining wetland as well as marine wetlands according to the first "Action Plan for the Aquatic Environment" (adopted by Parliament in 1987).

Eventually a long term wetland restoration strategy was launched in May 1998 by the National Forest and Nature Agency according to which the long-term aim for the next two decades is to restore 3,000ha of former wetlands per year, i.e. 60,000 ha corresponding to 2 % of the present farmland areas. These areas shall be restored as lakes, bogs, meadows, marshes and swamp forests etc.

All Ramsar Sites were also designated under the EU Bird Directive and most have been proposed for the Natura 2000 Network (under the EU Habitat Directive) (M).

Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands are in a common coordinating the protection and management of the Wadden Sea based upon a Joint Declaration, and decisions taken on Ministerial Conferences.

The Home Rule Government is responsible for nature management and protection in Greenland (M).

Furthermore in Denmark the national wetland policy is covered by an integrated and a comprehensive set of nature protection and environmental laws and strategies which also complies with Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Article 6 states that countries shall prepare national strategies for protecting, and for the sustainable exploitation of Biodiversity.

The strategy is also mentioned in "Agenda 21", the global action plan that was adopted at the U.N. conference in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. As far as the EU countries are concerned, recognition of these obligations has been confirmed by the European Council in 1992. The Agenda 21 requests countries to conduct national countrywide studies of Biodiversity. It has not been the opinion of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy that such a country study is a requisite for a Danish Biodiversity strategy.

Denmark has prepared a National Biodiversity Strategy Report after a consultation procedure, which involved central and regional authorities and NGOs.

Besides Agriculture is the sector that has the greatest role in the use and management of wetlands. The Nature Protection Act applies to all the sectors that could have an impact on wetlands, listed in the Act as protected habitats. The policy on restoration applies to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy and Regional County Councils (M).

The Ministry of Environment and Energy cooperates with other departments as well as local authorities in the implementation of the Ramsar Convention and wetland strategies in Denmark (M).

A general consensus policy on wetlands issues is established among stakeholders (e.g. landowners and their associations, nature conservation societies and other NGOs, and local authorities) through the National Advisory Council on Nature Management (M).

The Regional Planning System integrates nature conservation obligations in general (national strategies, laws and international binding agreements) (M).

Furthermore the Wildlife Management Council represents various NGOs including ornithology, nature conservation, hunting, forestry, agriculture and animal welfare. The Board is debating wildlife and hunting issues, and are formulating recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Energy.

There is also the National Program on the Implementation of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (1997) in governmental level. The main goal of this program is preparing and complaining management plans for all internationally important wetlands by 2002. Yet the main policy principles are elaborated and serve as guidelines for the work of Ministry of Environment.

A National Wetland Strategy was under preparation (commissioned by the World Bank) and was supposed to be published in September 1998. It should include updated wetland inventory results with an emphasis on wetland types (fens and transition bogs) which were not sufficiently studied so far, protection proposals and land-use strategy for wetlands.

The Ministry of Environment intended to start the preparation of National Wetland Action Plan, which should include overviews on current protection instruments and protected areas and further needs, sector-by-sector assessment of economic developments affecting wetlands and site-by-site Action Plans (need for management plans, time-tables for implementation and an investment matrix). Collateral funds are currently sought for this (an application has been made to OMPO, Estonia is ready to fund part of the project).

National Program on the Implementation of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat, 1997

(M) The Estonian National Environmental Strategy does not include any specific reference to wetlands, but elements of the Strategy that are relevant are the chapters on "better use and protection of ground water resources", "protection of surface water bodies and coastal sea", and "preservation of landscapes and Biodiversity". In addition, it is hoped that the National Environmental Action Plan will include specific reference to wetlands.

The Act on Sustainable Development has very general requirements, including the one that all peat bogs that are in natural state remain in a more or less in this state.

Relevant laws include the Act on Protected Natural Object, Act on the Protection of Marine and Freshwater Coasts, Water Act, Land Amelioration Act, Earth’s Crust Act (M).

Its main activities are to discuss new sites for the Ramsar List and about problems in current Ramsar sites. It is also responsible for preparing Small Grants Fund proposals (M).

Finland is implementing the EU´s Natura 2000 network. A Government decision to propose a total of 1524 sites (including some on the Åland islands). Many wetlands are also included in national park areas and nature conservation areas. The main aim is an integration of biological diversity into all relevant sectors by ministries, the trade and industry, municipalities and the NGOs under the joint objective of protection and sustainable use of biological resources.

The main objective of the Natura 2000 network is the protection of habitats and plant and animal Species defined in the EU Habitat and Bird Directives. The proposed sites to the Natura 2000 network will also include the 11 present Ramsar sites and, in the near future, the 50 new Ramsar sites.

The National Action Plan for Biodiversity 1997-2005 in Finland was drawn up in 1997 and was coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment.

The main aim of the Action Plan and the Natura 2000 network is to protect Biodiversity including important habitats, plant and animal species. The key objective is to make conservation of Biodiversity part of all national planning and decision-making in Finland. Nature and wetland conservation in Finland is to be integrated into all planning, legislation and environmental policies. Several acts deal implicitly with wetlands and conservation. The most important laws are the Nature Conservation Act (1996), the Water Act (1961, last revision 1998), the Hunting Act (1993), Forest Act (1996), Building Act (1968, total revision 1998) and the Wilderness Act (1991, revision 1996). In addition, the Mire Conservation Program (1979, 1981) and the Waterfowl Habitats Conservation Program (1982) approved by the Council of State are important for Finnish wetland conservation.

In order to implement and monitor the National Action Plan for Biodiversity 1997-2005 in Finland a broad-based follow-up working group has been appointed by the Ministry of the Environment, comprising representatives of all administration sectors and NGOs to coordinate nationwide monitoring of Biodiversity. The Biodiversity follow-up working group has also appointed two specialist working groups which will focus among other things on sustainable use, research, monitoring and assessment, and public awareness.

The responsibility of implementation lies with different ministries according to the Governments Decision-in-Principle on Measures promoting the conservation and research of Biodiversity in December 1995.

The Natura 2000 network has been prepared by the 13 regional environmental centers and with the support of the Finnish Environment Institute and the Finnish Forest and Park Service under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment. The Governments Natura decision made in August 1998 is subject to a number of complaints which are dealt within the Highest Administration Court.

Un plan d'action gouvernemental a été adopté en Conseil des ministres en 1995: il se décline en 4 axes principaux:

1. Inventorier les zones humides et renforcer les outils de suivi et d'évaluation,
2. Assurer la cohérence des politiques publiques,
3. Engager la reconquête de zones humides,
4. Lancer un programme d'information et de sensibilisation.

M) The Plan is perceived as providing a

Sound basis for the promotion of wetland conservation in France. However, as it was seen as insufficient, a Coordinating Committee was formed in 1997 under the Ministry of Land-Use Planning and the Environment, in order to ensure that the Plan is being implemented. Sub-committees were also created to identify budgets, time frames and responsible organization/individuals for each action of the Plan.

Several additional working groups have been created to implement specific elements of the Plan (mostly concerning inventory/monitoring/designations and information/awareness), most of which have met at regular intervals since 1995.

It was mentioned that cooperation between the nature conservation sector and other sectors would be easier if the Plan was truly interministerial. However, only the Ministry of Land-Use Planning and Environment was initially prepared to provide funds to the Plan.

1. Dans le cadre du programme Med Wet, la Tour du Valat a publié huit brochures spécifiques sur les zones humides méditerranéennes.

2. 19 fiches techniques ont été réalisées en 1996 conjointement par la Direction de l'Eau et la Direction de la Nature et des Paysages.

3. Les actes d'un colloque de Guérande (octobre 1997) : "Agir pour les zones humides,

4. contribution des sites Ramsar" initié dans le cadre d'un programme Life ont été publiés en 1998

5. Un dépliant sur la présentation de la convention et les sites Ramsar Français a été réalisé.

6. Un guide sur les zones humides est en cours d’élaboration : "Protéger et gérer les zones humides : données écologiques et juridiques".

7. (M) Plan d’action pour les zones humides (Action Plan on Wetlands), 1995 (M)

(M) The main sectors that have a role in the use and management of wetlands are the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Housing. The Ministry of Finances also has an impact on wetlands, as property taxes are greater on wetlands than on other areas. Other relevant ministries are the Ministry of Tourism, of Education and National Research, and of the Interior.

The Plan applies to the Government only, but its coordinator is hoping to promote its principles beyond the Government. The Plan includes actions mainly for the following Government Ministries, and government institutions: Ministry of the Environment (now Ministry of the Environment and Land-Use Planning), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Housing, Ministry of Economics, other management Ministries that deal with the public domain, Water Agencies, French Institute of the Environment, National Museum of Natural History.

Each action of the Plan has now been assigned to one organization /individual /government department/working group. Each of them is to provide a plan for its activities, including a budget, the time frame, and the required personnel (M).

(M) The National Ramsar Committee (1991) includes representatives from the following government institutions and NGOs. Further on the Ministry of Equipment, Transport and Housing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of DOM-TOM (Overseas Regions and Territories), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Land-Use Planning and the Environment, League for the Protection of Birds, WWF France, Natural History Museum, Institute of Environmental Law, National Hunting Office, Tour du Valat, BIROE (Wetlands International), Conservatoire de l’Espace Littoral et des Rivages Lacustres.

The Committee meets once or twice a year. Its main activities are:

• monitoring the implementation of the Ramsar Convention by providing its views on Ramsar site proposals,
• monitoring the management of listed sites,
• proposing Ramsar sites on the Montreux Record when necessary,
• providing advice for the preparation of National Reports for Conferences of the Parties,
• coordinating requests for financial assistance for the Small Grants Fund from the Ramsar Bureau,
• assessing the implementation of resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Conferences of the Parties

This committee was created in March 1997. It has about 30 members. Its secretariat is made up of a coordinator, two assistants from the Ministry of Lan-Use Planning and Environment, and one forest and water engineer from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Committee has met once in 1997 and plans to meet three to four times a year.

The Coordination Committee for the Plan is responsible for ensuring that the Plan is being implemented.

The Wetland Group is active since 1991. It is an informal forum and is made up of 18 members who are interested and have expertise (at a governmental or non-governmental level, technical, administrative and legal) in wetland conservation. It meets about four times a year. The Wetland Group has been involved in advising the Ministry of Lan-Use Planning and the Environment on wetland policies and in lobbying for wetland conservation. The production of the Plan is partly the result of its activities. In addition, the Group publishes the newsletter "Wetland Info" ("Zones Humides Infos") four times a year (M).

The option of preparing a separate wetland strategy will be addressed after the completion of the BSAP, if wetland conservation matters have not been included sufficiently in the BSAP.

Furthermore Kolkheti wetlands are the most sensitive area along the Azerbaijan-Georgian oil pipeline which passes through agricultural land that is adjacent to the Kolkheti wetlands Ramsar site. A very detailed EIA has been carried out.

The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (currently in progress) includes the establishment of Kolkheti National Park. The main purpose of this national park is to protect and ensure wise use of wetlands in Central Kolkheti (Ramsar site as of 07/02/97) and it is expected to cover most important parts of the site.

There are only some regional reports on wetlands protection (see Cop 7 Report)

The targets of the Ramsar Convention, which can be implemented in different ways by the Laender, are thus integrated into general conservation policy. It is expected that specification of the "1997-2002 strategic plan" in accordance with German requirements will improve the implementation of legally embodied wetland protection.

The following outlines a selection of nature conservation instruments concerning wetland protection.

I.I European Directives:

• Many wetlands or parts of Wetlands of International Importance are notified as "Special Protected Areas" (SPA) in accordance with the purpose of the EU Bird Protection
• Directive (according to Article 4 of the Council Directive 79/409/EEC)
• "Natura 2000" protected area system pursuant to the Fauna-Flora-Habitat Directive (FFH-Directive) (Council Directive 92/43/EEC).

These European-wide protection obligations support the Ramsar Convention in that they are legally binding.

I.II Federal and Land (Federal State) Laws

The National Ramsar/Wetland Committee provides advice and issues recommendations regarding the execution of the Convention, application of the Montreux Register and the implementation of resolutions and recommendations.

The National Ramsar/Wetland Committee enables institutional collaboration between the various institutions that, on the federation and Land level, are responsible for or have an influence on the implementation of nature conservation goals and thus wetlands protection.

(M) The national Ramsar body was not created by a statute and does not have any specific terms of reference. The national Ramsar body has an exclusively advisory function and does not take any legally binding decisions.

The National Ramsar Body represents the following institutions:

• Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (chair)
• Ministries competent/responsible for nature conservation (16)
• Nature conservation NGOs
• Main users of Ramsar sites (agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishing)
• Federal Nature Conservation Agency
• Private research organization

All together there are about 25-30 members. The land ministries responsible for the filed of nature conservation are members of the national Ramsar body. The main users represented in the national Ramsar body are:

- Deutscher Bauernverband
- Deutscher Jagdschutzverband
- Verband Deutscher Sportfischer

Members of the National Ramsar Body meet at least once a year, but usually twice or three times a year. Because of their various other responsibilities, members cannot always all be present.

The following issues are addressed at meetings of the National Ramsar Body:

• problems at Ramsar sites
• development of a national wetland policy

Specific issues that have already been addressed include:

• military uses in Ramsar sites
• use of leadshots in waterfowl hunting
• application of the Management Guidance Procedure in the Lower Niederrhein Ramsar site
• wetlands to be designated for the Natura 2000 Network (under the EU Habitat Directive)

Other activities of the National Ramsar Body include the following:

• preparations for the Conference of the Parties (National Reports, discussions on draft decisions, etc.)
• participation in national and international events relevant to the Convention
• cooperation with National Wetland Committees of other countries on transboundary Ramsar sites
• public awareness about the Convention in Germany (M)

1. Prevention of degradation through effective control of projects and activities which may be potentially harmful to wetlands, by means of the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure.
2. Based on European Union criteria, evaluation of wetlands at a national level and pertinent proposals for inclusion in the European Network NATURA 2000 (Directive 92/43/EEC). (M) Moreover wetland policy is regarded under nature conservation: Directive on the conservation of wild birds (79/409/EEC) (Birds Directive, 1979). Directive on the conservation of natural and semi-natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (92/43/EEC) (Habitats Directive, 1992) (M)
3. Monitoring of water quality in long rivers and coastal areas.
4. Inventorying of land ownership in wetlands and their perimetric zones as part of the National Cadastre.
5. Adoption of conservation measures and funding priority actions for wetland conservation (this is achieved with the preparation of Specific Management Studies, law enactment such as Joint Ministerial Decisions, Presidential Decrees, regulations, etc.).
6. Financial support for the implementation of agro-environmental (sustainable) management measures in rural areas neighboring wetlands.
7. Promotion of research, monitoring and wise use of wetlands.
8. Promotion of public awareness and environmental education.
9. Incorporation of the concept of multiple wetland values into the sector policies for fishing and tourism.
10. Re-creation or rehabilitation – restoration of wetland ecosystems.
11. The promotion and active support of international cooperation for the sustainable management of wetland resources in the Mediterranean basin.

Publication:

• IUCN, Conservation and Management of Greek Wetlands, Gland 1992,
• Expressions of opinion with regard to conservation actions for Greek Ramsar Wetlands and the applicability for removal from Montreux record, Athens 1999

The first draft of the National Biodiversity Strategy was expected to be ready at the beginning of 1999 (M)

The Hellenic Ministry for Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works (IPEHODE) has been a member of the MedWet initiative since 1991 and has actively defended its guidelines. It has also supported the establishment of the Mediterranean Wetland Committee (MedCom) in 1996 and has undertaken the Secretarial Unit of this committee (1997-1998) under The Goulandris Natural History Museum – Greek Biotope/Wetland Center (EKBY). IPEHODE hosted the first meeting of the Mediterranean Committee in Thessaloniki in March 1998.

(M) The policies concerning Ramsar sites include the establishment of protected areas, the determination of their conservation management, the promotion of sustainable human activities, and the establishment of their management bodies.

A national wetland strategy is under elaboration and even though compiled separately, it will comprise a part of the National Biodiversity strategy.

It will comprise two parts, a general one with reference to the existing strategic documents concerning wetlands and a specific one for the Ramsar sites. The expected benefits of this exercise are:

-setting a clear scientific framework for wetland conservation projects

-allowing a fuller utilisation of positive initiatives

-setting a clear administrative framework

-provision of documentation to all partner in wetland management

The Wetland Policy being prepared under the Biodiversity Strategy will apply to all the sectors that were identified in the 1994 national wetland inventory. These sectors include: agriculture, fisheries, sylviculture, grazing, hunting, salt production, water management, tourism. This policy may be in force for the next 5 to 10 years.

A relevant sector policy is implemented in agricultural units surrounding wetlands, by means of management agreements and subsidies for set aside land, reduction of fertilizer and cattle numbers. The elaboration of Regional plans for the use of water are foreseen for the near future and they will take into account wetland issues (M).

Preliminary Management Groups were set up in all Ramsar sites so as to prepare for the oncoming formulation of Local Management Schemes. These schemes were set up with Program Agreements, signed by the Ministers of Environment and Agriculture, the Regions and Local Services. They form a Joint Committee and have the flexible administrative and secretarial – coordinating support of the Development Companies (i.e. companies formed by municipalities etc.). The programs have an annex with programmed projects and activities, time schedules and budget. The NGOs are invited to join these Groups depending on their expertise.

The preliminary Management Groups have the double target of

1. responding immediately to the everyday management problems of the regions, and
2. executing projects related to infrastructure, monitoring, and management.

The establishment of a National Committee for the implementation of the Directive 92/43/CEE (Network NATURA 2000) is also under study; its role will be among others to examine wetland issues.

The National Committee "NATURA 2000" will consist of representatives of IPEHODE, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry for Development, the Ministry of the Interior, specialists, and NGOs

Several related publication see National report for COP 7

Although a single comprehensive wetland policy or strategy has not been prepared for the country, Nature conservation and other environment-related legislation and national programs do include the conservation concept of wetlands. The Hungarian Parliament has accepted the Act on Environmental Protection No. LIII. of 1995. This law has been in force since 1 January 1996. The act is a framework law for the protection of the environmental elements by enforcing the principles of precaution, prevention and restoration.

The aims of the Act are to establish a harmonic relationship between man and his environment, to protect the elements and processes of the environment and to ensure the environmental conditions for a sustainable development. The Act provides suitable scope for asserting the constitutional rights for a sound environment in accordance with the precautionary principle and equitable bearing of burdens.

The purposes of Act on Environmental Protection are as follows:

- mitigation of use, load and contamination of the environment, the prevention of causing damage to it and the improvement and restoration of the damaged environment;
- protection of human health and the improvement of the environmental conditions associated with the quality of life;
- conservation and maintenance of natural resources and the rational and efficient
- management thereof in a manner ensuring their renewal;
- coordination of the Government's other duties with the requirements of environmental protection;
- international cooperation in the field of environmental protection;
- invitation and participation of the public in activities directed at the protection of the environment, particularly in exploring and getting acquainted with the state of the environment, and in carrying out the tasks of governmental agencies and local governments in connection with environmental protection;
- coordination of the economy and of the socio-economic development with the environmental requirements;
- establishment and development of the institutional system of environmental protection; and establishment and development of a public administration serving the protection and conservation of the environment.

(M) The Committee is composed of 10 members who are representatives of the Ramsar site National Parks, Nature Protection Committee of the Parliament, Ministry of Environmental and Regional Policy, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transportation, Telecommunications and Water Resources, scientists, NGOs. Hungarian members of the Ramsar Convention advisory bodies and the deputy secretary of the National Authority for Nature Conservation (Ministry of Environmental and Regional) are always invited at meetings (M).

Meetings are planned to take place approximately four times a year, but they are mostly held according to the need for them. the last meeting was held in November 1997.

(M) Meetings generally take place near an existing or future Ramsar site, so that field visits can be organised. The members usually discuss problems encountered at particular Ramsar sites(M).

The aims of operation of the committee:

• implementation of the above-mentioned objectives;
• to promote better understanding of the Convention;
• to create forum on which both governmental and non-governmental organizations
• provide inputs for conservation of the wetlands;
• to create possibilities for ongoing consultation with the Secretariat (Ramsar Bureau);
• to develop guidelines for the ownership of wetland Sites on a strategic way;
• to elaborate and put forward for approval of the strategy for wise use and conservation of wetlands;
• evaluation of reports, reviews and plans related to Hungarian Ramsar Sites,
• to introduce and assist for the implementation of management practices, recommended by the Convention;
• to prepare the introduction of zonation system recommended and approved by the Convention;
• to identify and evaluate wetlands that may be designated for the list of International Importance
• to help to formulate unified position for matters related to the Convention
• to assist the Hungarian member in the STRP.
• to assist and support the Hungarian Chair of the Ramsar Standing Committee

For implementation of the wetland policy the executive plan of the National Environmental Program has been elaborated and approved, indicating the time schedule of the measures, responsible ministerial bodies (in the case of surface and subterranean waters they are the Ministry for Environment together with Ministry for Transport, Telecommunication and Water Management).

The National Ramsar Committee and the Nature Conservation Advisory Board (of the Authority for Nature Conservation) assist the implementation of the policy as cross-sector bodies.

Scientific publications, mainly in international journals regarding the Myvatn-Laxa Ramsar site (monitoring of physical and biotic factors) as well as population studies and reports and papers in local and international journals regarding vegetation and groundwater levels and changes.

Wetland policy is based on the Nature Conservation Act from 1996 (earlier acts from 1956 and 1970) and concerns all ministries. The implementation is in the hands of the Nature Conservation Agency under the auspices of the Ministry for the Environment.

Currently the Ministry for the Environment is preparing a National Biodiversity Action Plan and a National Conservation Strategy in which protection of wetlands and restoration of wetlands will be an integrated part.

There exists a Steering Board for the Myvatn Research Station (with participation of scientists and stakeholders) which is advisory to the Nature Conservation Agency regarding the protection of the Myvatn-Laxa Area.

(M) The Agency was established with the revision of the Nature Concervation Act by the Legislative Assembly (Althingi) in 1996. Members on the Steering Board of the Nature Concervation Agency are from the Nature Concervation Council (1), Ministry of Transport (1) and Ministry for the Environment (3), of whom one is the chairman.

The Nature Conservation Council provides advice and consultancy to the Nature Conservation Agency about policy making in nature conservation.

The Members of the Council are representatives from the Planning Agency, the Tourism Board, the Planning Agency, the Tourism Board, the University of Iceland, the Institute of Natural History, the Association of Farmers, the National Conservation Assembly (representing NGOs and the general public).

The Steering Board of the Agency meets twice a month and the members of the Council meet almost every month.

The Council provides advice to the Nature Conservation Agency, which is responsible for Implementing the Convention (M).

For both of the other Ramsar sites the Nature Conservation Agency has advisory committees of stakeholders and local authorities regarding management of the sites. This also applies for the Breidafjordur protected area.

Related publications:

1. The most useful publication in a general context is "Managing Rivers and Lakes." Dept. of Environment and Local Government, 1997.
2. The final report on the Irish/Dutch Raised Bog Study was supposed to be produced by September 1999 and should be useful to Western European countries trying to protect this habitat type.

Environmental policy in Ireland is now based on the internationally recognized principles of Sustainability, the precautionary principle, the integration of environmental considerations into all policy areas, the polluter-pays principle, and the principle of shared responsibility for environmental protection by public bodies, private enterprises and the general public. A priority for the strategy is to maintain the quality, quantity and diversity of our natural endowments which include wetlands

The National Biodiversity Plan is to include wetland conservation issues - it was finalized at the end of 1998.

The National Sustainable Development Strategy is a government initiative with the Department of Environment as the lead Department. The nature conservation elements of that strategy, including wetland conservation are the responsibility of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (D.A.H.G.I.) which is thus responsible for Ramsar matters.

Of more specific relevance to the protection of the nature conservation values of wetlands is the development and subsequent implementation of the Natural Biodiversity Action Plan. This plan is being drafted by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands in conjunction with an independent Steering Committee on Biodiversity. The main function of this Group is, to secure the involvement of the main Departments who are responsible for Biodiversity, to provide a point of direct contact between them on this issue and to co-ordinate the response to, and the implementation of, the Convention in Ireland. (M) The Committee was created in 1996. Main members are representatives of the main Government Departments that deal with Biodiversity issues. These are the Departments of the Environment and Local Government, Department of Marine and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture and Food and Department of Public Enterprise (M).

A public consultation process has also been undertaken and the responses are being considered in the second draft of the Plan.

At the local and regional level the most dynamic of recent initiatives with respect to wetlands are the catchment management planning groups, which bring together organizations whose activities impact either positively or negatively on water quality. The acceptance that each sector has a role to play in the investigation, analysis and solution of water quality problems has allowed good local working relations to develop, which will hopefully lead to the reversal of the increasing trends toward eutrophication.

"Guidelines for a Wetland National Plan in Italy" edited in June 1996 by the Ministry of the Environment in the framework of the Medwet Project.

The working group is in charge of dealing with Montreux Record sites, and the control of implementation of the Convention at national level (M).

- WWF 1996. Management plans for Lake Pape and Jurkalne area.

1. maintenance and protection of existing Biodiversity and landscape characteristics of Latvia
2. sustainable use of natural resources.

Measures for solution of specific problems were covered by another document - National Environmental Action Program, approved by the State Minister for Environment in 1996. Two sub-sets listing particular actions deal with Wetland protection and management:

1. Nature Protection
2. Water Protection.

National Environmental Action Plan for Latvia was adopted in 1997. Priorities of actions for the chapter on nature conservation were establishment of administrative bodies for Kemeri National Park and lake Engure, and elaboration of Integrated Management Plan for Lubans lake region. The former two territories, including several wetlands of international importance, have their respective administrations in place since 1997, 1998, and the management plan for Lubans region is in preparation. This indicates both satisfactory progress with implementing NEAP. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was published in 2000 (a GEF / UNDP project currently on-going). This is done in close cooperation with Forestry, Agriculture, Fisheries and Transport sectors that themselves are in their way responsible for wise use of nature resources, incl. water and wetlands.

The Environmental Policy Plan for Latvia, 1995, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development’s National Environmental Action Program, 1997, both include wetland conservation issues, though there is no specific reference to wetlands. The Biodiversity Strategy was expected to be finalized at the end of 1998.

The committee should be chaired by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and should include representatives of government agencies relevant to Biodiversity issues. NGOs were planned be invited as observers. The task of the committee was to oversee strategic Biodiversity planning and to prepare sectoral plans.

(M) A Round Table was organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development on the Convention on Biological Diversity and the EU instruments that concern Biodiversity. State secretaries from relevant ministries and other authorities responsible for the implementation of Biodiversity measures were invited (M).

Lithuanian Environmental Strategy was prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (now Ministry of Environment) together with foreign experts in 1995 and approved by the Parliament in 1996. The National Environmental Strategy of Lithuania was used as the background for preparation of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan. The Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan was developed in 1997 and adopted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection (now Ministry of Environment) and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (now Ministry of Agriculture) on January 1998.

This document presents action plans for protection of the most important ecosystems including wetlands (Baltic Sea shore, inland water bodies, and mires):

• Action plan for the protection of coastal and the Baltic Sea ecosystems
• Action plan for the protection of inland aquatic ecosystems

Action plan for the protection of wetland ecosystems.

The foreword to the Lithuanian Environmental Strategy, signed by the Minister for Environmental Protection, indicates that "the Ministry of Environmental Protection will make every effort to ensure that the Strategy is implemented, and every person and organisation in Lithuania is encouraged to study this document with care and come back with proposals finding ways to help realise its aims."(M)

(M) A National Biodiversity Strategy was supposed to be ready by the end of 1999. The wetland conservation policy is otherwise integrated within the general nature conservation policy (M).