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

1. 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: (+359 62) 62 03 51, fax: (+359 62) 62 37 84 e-mail: riosv_vt@vt.techno-link.com

2. 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

3. 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’ sterritorial 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

4. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

5. Bulgaria Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

6. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

7. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

8. MOEW EEA Basin Directorates RIEW Director Lawyer Department “Finance and property management, human resources and public relations” Department “Control over the environment” Department “Laboratory and information activity” Sub department “Preventive activity” Sub department “Soil and land control” Sub department “Laboratory activity” Sub department “Financial and account activity” Sub department “Administrative and economic activity” Sub department “Information activity” Sub department “Air quality” Sub department “Waste management” Sub department “Public relations” Sub department “Biodiversity and protected areas control” Sub department “Water quality” RIEW – VELIKO TURNOVOstructure Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

9. 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) Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

10. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

11. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

12. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

13. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

14. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

15. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

16. 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) Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

17. 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 Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

18. Environmental Inspection in PracticeOperative control carried out by RIEW – Veliko Turnovo Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

19. 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. Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water Veliko Turnovo

20. THANK YOU!