Strengths and weaknesses of the permitting system and enforcement process in RIEW Veliko Turnovo

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Strengths and weaknesses of the permitting system
and enforcement process in RIEW Veliko Turnovo

• Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water -
  Veliko Turnovo
• 68 Nikola Gabrovski Str., 5002 Veliko Turnovo,
  Bulgaria
• tel [phone], fax [phone]
• e-mail riosv_vt_at_vt.techno-link.com

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WELCOME!

• This presentation is based
• on the Report on the Current Legal Structure and
  Resources Available to the Environmental
  Protection Agencies and Inspectorates in Bulgaria
  
• as well as RIEW s experience

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Environmental administration in Bulgaria

• MoEW competent authority for organization and
  implementation of the environmental legislation
  in Bulgaria
• EEA administration under the Minister of
  Environment and Water established to carry out
  and coordinate the information and monitoring
  services regarding the control and preservation
  of the environment
• 15 RIEWs MoEW s territorial units for
  environmental control and monitoring
• 4 Basin Directorates responsible for water
  management in the country
• 3 National Park Directorates responsible for
  national parks management
• 262 municipalities responsible for local
  environmental policy

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Legal framework

• 8 main Acts/ Laws
• Environmental Protection Act
• Ambient Clean Air Act
• Water Act
• Protected Areas Act
• Law on Biological Diversity
• Medicinal Plants Act
• Law on Limitation of the Harmful Impact of Waste
  upon the Environment
• Act on Protection from the harmful Impact of
  Chemical Substances and Preparations
• 72 regulations, orders, etc

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Bulgaria
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RIEW Veliko Turnovo territory

• northern central part of Bulgaria
• area of 6 697 km2
• population more than 450 000 people
• Veliko Turnovo and Gabrovo districts
• 14 municipalities

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RIEW Veliko Turnovo activities

• overseeing the implementation of the
  environmental legislation at the regional level
• supporting the municipalities in the preparation
  and the realisation of the local policy in the
  field of environmental protection
• carrying out control of enterprises or
  facilities that may affect or pollute the
  environment
• operating with the national system for
  environmental monitoring on a regional level
• informing the public about the state of the
  environment

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RIEW VELIKO TURNOVOstructure
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Permitting system

• The permitting system in Bulgaria covers the
  sectors of
• water quality and management
• nature protection
• waste management
• dangerous substances
• ground resources management
• integrated permits for new and existing
  facilities and installations - according to IPPC
  Directive (96/61/EC)

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Legal framework concerning Permitting system

• Water Act
• Permit for water use
• Permit for use of water body
• Competent authorities
• The Council of Ministers
• The Minister of Environment and Water
• The Director of the Basin Directorate

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Legal framework - Permitting system - 2

• Nature Protection Act
• Permit for international trade in species of wild
  flora and fauna
• Competent authority - Ministry of Environment and
  Water
• Act on Protection from the harmful Impact of
  Chemical Substances and Preparations
• Permit for importation of dangerous substances
• Competent authority
• The Minister of Environment and Water

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Legal framework - Permitting system - 3

• Law on Limitation of the Harmful Impact of Waste
  upon the Environment
• Permit for collection, storage or disposal of
  waste
• Permit for import, export and transit of waste
  through the Republic of Bulgaria
• Competent authorities according art. 37 of the
  Law
• RIEWs for industrial and hazardous waste
• The Minister of Environment and Water - for
  industrial and hazardous waste, concerning
  activities performed on the territory of more
  than one RIEW
• The mayor of the municipality for construction
  waste

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Legal framework - Permitting system - 4

• Environmental Protection Act chapter VII, part
  II according to Directive 96/61/EC (IPPC)
• Integrated permit for industrial pollution
  prevention and control
• Competent authority
• The Minister of Environment and Water
• The Director of the relevant RIEW

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RIEW experience with permitting system

• 2 pilot integrated permits with consultant help
• Sevko Ltd. Sevlievo leather company
• Sviloza Ltd. Svistov chemical company
• 124 permits for activities with industrial and
  hazardous waste since 1998 (19 in 2002)
• Permits for water use and use of water body

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Permitting system strengths

• Permits ensure regular inspections and
  observations of the companies
• Integrated permits provide measures for
  environmental management integrated prevention
  and control of environmental pollution in all
  components

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Needs of Inspectorates to the permitting process

• regular training or assistance in implementation
  of the new environmental legislation, especially
  the law related to the Integrated Pollution
  Prevention and Control
• training in site visits, related to the new
  legislative requirements (permit checking)

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Environmental control

• Preventive control
• Environmental Impact Assessment procedure
• High Environmental Expert Council
• Current control
• Inspections, observations and measurements
• Prescriptions with deadlines and personal
  responsibilities
• Follow-up control
• Results of implementation of the measures
  provided for in the EIA decisions and permits
• Implementation of prescriptions

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Environmental Inspection in PracticeOperative
control carried out by RIEW Veliko Turnovo
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Conclusion

• Bulgaria has already adopted the European
  environmental framework legislation and is
  prepared to implement all the acquis
  communautaire requirements with exception of
  those, for which transitional periods are
  requested.
• Harmonization is the first step of a complex,
  lengthy and expensive process.
• Implementation of EU legislation is a real
  challenge for the accession countries and
  Bulgaria is ready to make the necessary efforts
  to achieve this ambitious task.

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• THANK YOU!