BULGARIA PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARNERSHIP FOR REMEDIATION OF HISTORICAL POLLUTION

1. BULGARIA PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARNERSHIP FORREMEDIATION OF HISTORICAL POLLUTION Dr. Vania Grigorova Ministry of Environment and Water Bulgaria Managing for Development Results Second International Roundtable, Marrakech, February 4-5, 2004

2. REMEDIATION PROGRAM OF THE PIRDOP COPPER SMELTER An Overview of Agency Approach to Managing for Development Results • Challenges and commitment • World Bank support • Project management • Results and lessons

3. CHALLENGES • No prior experience; lack of technical skills in remediation of historical pollution • Little public confidence in government sponsored environmental protection • Lack of institutional experience in dealing with foreign investors

4. WORLD BANK ROLE Support and guidance on institutional requirements, design and implementation of a model for addressing historical damage to environment which: • Brought together all parties and stakeholders • Defined the scope of critical requirements to eliminate environmental hazards • Established greater transparency through information sharing • Defined monitoring of implementation requirements

5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT • Project Oversight Committee established:MOEW, MOF, Privatisation Agency, Mayors of the nearby communities • MOEW took the lead in: • Resolving conflicts during implementation • Negotiating environmental compliance parameters • Conducting monitoring of environmental performance through its regional structures Project implemented by UM and supervised by NETF

6. RESULTS • Site contamination remediated • Large reduction in emissions • By a factor of 10 in air emissions, eliminated surface water pollution and ground water contamination • Company installed environmental management system • Public trust in regulating authorities increased • Institutional capacity gained by MOEW and other participating agencies in management and implementation of remediation projects

7. RESULTS • Transfer of knowledge and capacity building: • Ministry adopted risk assessment method for remediation projects • Privatisation Agency engaged in EIA process and costing of remediation prior to sale of sites • New Regulation issued on Liability of State for Remediation of Past Damage • Active cooperation between government bodies and private sector in project definition, funding and implementation

8. SUSTAINABILITY OF RESULTS • Regulatory framework which established a transparent approach for addressing historical pollution in place • Company launched a program for improved corporate environmental performance • Closure on issues regarding ownership of rehabilitated sites and transfer of treatment facilities • Commitment of the owner to future maintenance of remediated sites • Regular monitoringand reporting on after-care measures are essential

9. IMPLEMENTATION LESSONS • Flexibility to adjust and find solutions to implementation problems is critical • Teamwork essential • Adopt coordinated approach among government agencies • Between government and private sector • Monitoring and evaluation essential for results and shared responsibility to sustain outcomes (e.g. company, REIs)

10. The MOEW regarded this project as an excellent example of joint effort and results on the groundThe experience gained through the project provided confidence and a practical model for implementation of large scale remediation programsThe outcomes of the project increased the trust in the GOB capacity to extend remediation efforts and manage environmental programs for sustainable results