Period: 2002-2005

Support to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (MEPRD) and to establish a national River Basin Administration (RBA), in order to implement the economical articles 5 and 9 (plus relevant annexes) of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). The following objectives were achieved: 

• Institutional structures established for Latvian river basin management consistent with national Water Law and with EU WFD;
• Characterization of River Basins in terms of economic significance;
• Recommendations prepared to adjust pricing policies;
• Manual of methodology developed to implement WFD Articles 5 and 9;
• Dissemination of project results and training on methodology.

Key issues in the project were: (i)  the implementation of Articles 5: (ii) characterization of river basin districts in terms of human impacts on the status of surface waters and groundwater; (iii) the economic analysis of water uses, and Article 9; (iv) cost recovery for water services, including environmental and resource costs;  and  (v) the integration of environmental issues into pricing policy.

The project produced a manual and tested this manual in four pilot sub-basins in the four River Basin Districts in Latvia. This manual provides information about the characterization process, execution of cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis, the introduction of the cost-recovery principle and the identification and designation of Heavily Modified Water Bodies. Furthermore the project enhanced co-operation between different decision-making bodies involved in water management, by using joint training workshops in order to teach the staff of the RBD how to improve synergy in their work for the WFD. The workshops were typically provided to 40 to 50 persons.
With support of the project team the River Basin Authority (RBA) has been established. Furthermore part of the 2004 requirements have been done by the project team. The characterizations of four river basin districts (Daugava, Venta, Gauja and Lielupe) took place and were reported on. As a result of the  trainings, workshops and a study tour the employees of the Ministry of Environment, State Geological Survey and Regional Environment Board, gained insight in the economic aspects of the WFD.