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About project

Challenges

 

Salaca, the most important salmon river in the Eastern part of the central Baltic Sea basin, is a water body that needs special attention to improve its ecological quality. Both the Council Directive 92/43/EEC (May 21, 1992) on the protection of natural habitats, wild fauna and flora (Habitats Directive) and the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council (Water Framework Directive) aim to ensure healthy water ecosystems while ensuring a balance between sustainable use of water resources and nature protection. In order to plan freshwater management more rationally, a new, unified framework for assessing the ecological quality of waters and the quality of habitats is needed. Such an approach will initially be developed for the sub-catchment of the Salacas River, so that later it will be applied to all river basin areas in Latvia and possibly elsewhere in the European Union.

 

Aim

 

The aim of the project is to promote the achievement of a good water condition in the rivers of the Salaca sub-catchment, as determined by the Habitats Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy.

Several activities will be carried out in the project to achieve the above-mentioned project goal. The implementation of practical management measures and the development of planning documents with the aim of improving the quality of the rivers of the Salaca sub-catchment and preserving natural values in the long term, as well as the transfer of knowledge and good practices to the public and experts in the field.

 

1. Harmonization of the Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive in the model territory – Salaca sub-catchment
The Habitats Directive and the Water Framework Directive focus on the assessment, monitoring, protection and proper management of the quality of rivers and lakes. Although there are several differences in the approach of the two directives, they have the same goal – to achieve good quality in freshwater ecosystems. Taking into account the connection between the two directives, the implementation of management measures within the framework of the Water Framework Directive also benefits the achievement of the objectives of the Habitats Directive, and vice versa. However, a clearly defined approach to the harmonization process of the Water Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive is necessary. In the LIFE IS SALACA project, a new approach to freshwater quality assessment and management will be developed, combining the requirements of both directives in the Salaca sub-catchment as a model territory. Based on the example of the Salacas sub-catchment, guidelines will be prepared for the development of a unified monitoring network – a step-by-step methodical approach, so that it can be used in other river basins in Latvia as well as in other EU member states.

 

2. Development of the nature protection plan of the Natura 2000 area “Salaca Valley” in a new framework
The “Salaca Valley” nature park does not currently have a valid nature protection (hereinafter referred to as DA) plan. The previous DA plan was developed in 2005, extended until 31.12.2019, in which the Salaca river was divided into four stages, each of them developing its own plan. As part of the project, it is planned to develop a DA plan, including the project results from the harmonization process of the Water Framework Directive and the Habitats Directive and the management methods of riparian forests and fish habitats implemented in the project, in order to create a new and integrated Natura 2000 area management plan, which will serve as a basis not only for habitats of EU significance and for the protection and preservation of species, but will also include management activities necessary for the implementation of the measures of the Water Framework Directive, regulation of tourism load, provision of ecosystem services, etc.

 

3. Improving habitat availability, quantity and quality for ecologically sensitive fish species
The protection status of protected habitat of EU significance 3260 “Rapid flows and natural river sections” in Latvia has been assessed as insufficient. Poor conservation status means that the habitat is in a situation where management or policy change is needed to return the habitat to a favorable conservation status and is not threatened with extinction in the foreseeable future. Excessive eutrophication and sedimentation is one of the most important factors that reduce the quality and, to some extent, the quantity of habitats for ecologically sensitive fish species. The habitat improvement guidelines prepared within the framework of this project can be adapted for use in other Latvian salmon lakes (Gauja, Venta, Irbe, etc.) with relatively minor adjustments, thereby increasing the efficiency and benefit of similar activities.

 

4. Management of riparian forests
The law on buffer zones defines the principles (mostly prohibiting) how to manage riparian forests in order to prevent the development of erosion processes, however, when managing river buffer zones according to the existing principles, thousands of cubic meters of sediment enter the rivers every year, which settles in rivers, including rapids, and contributes to the deterioration of their quality. The overgrown white alder forests on the river banks have reached their ecological potential and are no longer able to absorb the nutrients coming from the catchment basin as successfully. Observing the existing principles of the Law on Guardrails reduces the value of ecosystem services, watercourses are polluted with sediments, and they lose their water self-purification functions. The aim of this project activity is to demonstrate a new approach in the management of riparian forests, the attraction of nutrients, as well as the reduction of eutrophication. This can be done by optimally choosing the composition of tree species in the forest, which will positively affect and increase the diversity of vegetation in the forest, as well as improve the quality of watercourses, providing diverse living conditions for the plant and animal species inhabiting the river and its coast.

 

5. Application of ecosystem service assessment in land use modeling
The Salaca and its tributaries provide many essential ecosystem services. The most important supply services are fish resources and timber obtained from forests growing on river banks. The most important regulation and maintenance services are regulation of climate and water circulation, maintenance of fresh water quality, erosion control, pollution filtering, accumulation of nutrients and provision of habitats (living, breeding, feeding places, migration corridors). The range of cultural services is also important, which includes both recreational opportunities and also provides people with spiritual, aesthetic enjoyment, serves as a source of inspiration and provides cultural heritage, scientific and educational services. The improved knowledge about the methods of management and restoration works applied in the Salaca river valley and the slopes of the river valley and the ecosystem services provided are essential to ensure the appropriate management of the Salaca and its tributaries and to achieve sustainable development in accordance with the Habitats Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 the set goals.

 

Costs

Total budget EUR 5,754,798.12, incl. The amount of the European Commission’s financial contribution is 3,452,878.88 EUR, the amount of Latvian national co-financing is 1,866,957.61 EUR and the co-financing of partners is 434,961.63 EUR.

 

 

Co-financed by:

Co-funded by the European Union
Leading partner

The Latvian State Forestry Institute "Silava" (SILAVA) is the main forest science center in Latvia, where since 1946 forest ecosystem studies have been conducted in various fields. The main goal of SILAVAS is to acquire new knowledge and develop innovative technologies with scientific methods in order to promote the sustainable development and competitiveness of the forest industry.

SILAVA carries out scientific activities aimed at the acquisition of new knowledge to support sustainable forestry, carries out national forest monitoring, provides opinions on the compliance of forest reproductive material and its extraction sources with the requirements of regulatory acts, maintains the Latvian plant genetic resources database, the Latvian plant gene bank in accordance with its competence and carries out molecular passporting of genetic resources of agricultural plants, provides scientific expertise according to competence and provides proposals for the implementation of forest policy, representing Latvia's interests in the European Union, as well as in international institutions and processes, participates in national and international studies and research programs, promotes the development of science and higher education in forestry in the industry.

Project partners

The association "Fishermen's Club "Salackrasti" (SALACKRASTI) was founded in 2003 and its purpose is to unite anglers, to develop and popularize fishing as an ideologically and practically organized and civilized way of harvesting fish for self-consumption of a sporting nature, to ensure the status of Salaca as a national salmon index river, for the reproduction, protection and control of fish resources, the development of fishing on the coast of the Gulf of Riga, as well as for the protection of the surrounding environment, in order to coordinate the mutual activities of the members of the association for the defense of common interests, as well as to represent the interests of their members in relation to state authorities, administrations and other institutions in Latvia and abroad , whose activity affects the interests of the members of the association.

In the autumn of 2020, the Salacgrīva County Council authorized the association to organize licensed fishing in Salac and to take measures for the protection of fish resources and the management of the section of the Salac River. At the moment, several projects have been implemented with the co-financing of EU funds, which are aimed at the restoration of rapid streams and the arrangement of riverside areas - recreation areas.

Nature Conservation Agency (NCA) is a direct administrative institution under the authority of the Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, whose operational goals are to ensure the uniform implementation of the nature protection policy throughout the territory of Latvia, to implement effective management of natural values, promoting the harmonious coexistence of people and nature, as well as to promote public understanding of nature's values and the role of every person in their preservation and improvement.

The activities carried out by NCA are the management of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) (supervision and organization of the development of nature protection plans, implementation and monitoring of management measures in SPNAs, providing opinions and approvals for activities in SPNAs), ensuring a favorable protection status for specially protected species and habitats (species and habitats development of protection plans, implementation and monitoring of various management measures), implementation of the priority action program for the Natura 2000 network in Latvia, control of compliance with nature protection laws and their improvement, promotion of nature education and awareness in society, acquisition of natural data and ensuring its availability (Natural data management systems maintenance and development of "oaks"), implementation of scientific research, monitoring and projects in the field of nature protection, providing information to the public and the European Commission about Natura 2000 areas, specially protected species and habitats, as well as monitoring international trade in endangered wild animal and plant species.

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center (LEGMC) implements national policy in the fields of geology, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, water and air quality, the impact of transboundary air pollution and radioactive and hazardous waste management, maintains the national geological fund, cores and reference samples, environmental data archive and a library of scientific and technical literature.

LEGMC collects and accumulates environmental information, as well as informs the public, state and local government institutions about the most important trends and the state of the environment. LEGMC carries out environmental monitoring, provides surface and underground water quality and quantity observations, identification and evaluation of underground resources, management of the state-owned hazardous waste landfill, safe management of radioactive waste and nuclear facilities.

Scientific Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" (BIOR) is a state scientific institute under the supervision of the Minister of Agriculture. BIOR carries out scientific activities and provides support in obtaining and improving scientific qualifications in food, veterinary medicine, environment, fisheries and other biological sectors. The purpose of BIOR's activity is to create new knowledge in order to ensure the health of people, animals and the environment, animal welfare and the circulation of safe and harmless food, as well as the preservation of fish and other aquatic biological resources and the possibilities of balanced and sustainable use in Latvia.

In the field of its competence, the "BIOR" Institute is a leader in the region with excellent research, technical and developed human resource base. The Institute's Fish Resources Research Division is responsible for assessing the status of fish resources and the impact of fishing, angling and environmental conditions on both fish stocks and biodiversity. BIOR representatives are among the experts of the ICES Baltic Salmon and Trout Assessment Working Group (WGBAST), and BIOR is responsible for the implementation of the "National Fisheries Data Collection Program of Latvia". BIOR is also responsible for assessing the impact of various human activities (construction of various facilities, operation of hydroelectric power plants, etc.) on fish resources.