Project number: LLIV-326

Financed: Latvian-Lithuanian cross border cooperation programme 2007-2013

Project duration: 2012 April 2 – 2014 February 1

Project activities covers area of Kurzeme Region in Latvia and Klaipeda,Telšiai, Šiauliai, Panavežys Counties in Lithuania. Project focuses on lakes as inland waters, what are important resources for sustainable development. Almost all lakes in Latvia and in Lithuania are affected by anthropogenic factors and have problems of eutrophication. Project is dealing with problems of lakes and its basins - lack of appropriate infrastructure, not enough resources for implementation of existing management plans, limited available data on environment quality in lakes, weak interaction between policymakers and researchers, low citizens involvement and information on protection and management of lake areas This is resulting in problems for conservation of species and habitats, as well water quality especially in lake basins, therefore problem solving must be targeted at cross border level. Many lake areas are designated as Natura 2000 sites on the basis of the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and Birds Directive 2009/147/EC. Project overall objective is to promote sustainable management and conservation of nature resources in lakes and its basin areas in Kurzeme region and Lithuania cross-border area.

Project has 3 sub-objectives:

1. To develop the infrastructure for the management and protection of nature resources in order to prevent possible threats and improve accessibility to lakes.
2. To ensure exchange of experience between different actors and stakeholders involved in management of lakes, as well to provide decision makers with actual information and data on state of environment in lakes and its basins in cross-border area.
3. To promote public involvement and information about protection and management of lake areas and disseminate the results of the Project.

Main activities are preparation of guidelines for sustainable management of lake areas, construction works and planning and establishing the appropriate infrastructure, study visits, research and monitoring activities, public environment monitoring of lakes ('Lake Watch') both in LV and LT, travelling photo exhibition ,information materials and conference. Total project budget is 1165852,99 EUR, out of which 1162314,49 EUR is eligible budget.

Klaipėda University will implement Plateliai lake surveys - algae and cyanotoxins, bathymetric, bottom habitats, Zebra mussel cultivation, wetlands role in regulation of water quality in lakes.

Latvian:
Kurzeme Planning Region Administration, Council of Liepaja City, Municipality of Saldus, Council of Durbe Municipality, Latvian Environment Geology and Meteorology Centre, Municipality of Talsi, Municipality of Kuldiga, Municipality of Mērsrags

Lithuanian:
Klaipėda University (CORPI), Directorate of Biržai Regional Park, Directorate of Tytuvenai Regional Park, Directorate of Zemaitija National Park.

More info: Ričardas Paškauskas, Klaipėda University Coastal Research and Planning Institute, senior researcher, paskas@corpi.ku.lt