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National report from Concerning the Baltic Green Belt (the coastal zone)

2011

1. Geographic profile of Lithuania’s coastline and coastal region

The Baltic coast of Lithuania extends to 91,6 kilometres, and it is one of the shortest national coastlines in Europe. The northern part (46 km) of the Lithuanian Baltic coast belongs to three municipalities: Klaipėda city municipality, Klaipėda district municipality and municipality, and the southern part (45,6 km) belongs to and Klaipėda city municipality as well.

Location of Lithuania‘s coastline by the

Source: www.images.nationmaster.com

Klaipeda is the third largest city with 167 000 inhabitants (2011) and the city is Lithuania‘s major seaport. Palanga is the biggest with 17 600 inhabitants (2011). Neringa is an elite seaside resort with 3600 inhabitant (2011). Klaipėda district municipality is like adjoining area and its administrative center Gargždai with 16 100 inhabitants is situated inland (18 km eastwards from Klaipėda city), but this municipality has territorial access to the Baltic sea and the as well. In the Western part of Lithuania reside about 400 000 inhabiants (13,3 % of total population of Lithuania), in the meantime along the coast (up to 5 km in land) there live nearly to 210 000 thousand inhabitants (7 % of total population of Lithuania). According to economic activities in Western Part of Lithuania there are about 10 000 SMEs, the economy of the region generates nearly to 12 % of Lithuania‘s GDP. In the meantime, the incomes from fishery industries generates nearly to 0,7 % of Lithuania‘s GDP as well (2011). The region is rich with natural recreational resources and cultural heritage. The industries of tourism serve about 1 000 000 of national visitors per year and 500 000 international visitors. The most attractive sites are located on or nearby the Baltic coast: the Kuršių nerija national park, the Pajūrio regional park, Klaipėda, Palanga, Šventoji.

Geographic data of Lithuania‘s coastline and coastal region

Length of national coastline 91,6 km Continental (northern) 46 km Share of coastal area in Lithuania 50,2 % The Kuršių nerija (southern) 45,6 km Share of coastal area in Lithuania 49,8 % National coastal zone in total with: 200 m inland 18,2 km² 500 m inland 45,3 km² National parks ThePajūrio regional park Protected area in total 5 865 ha Protected area of territory 2 735 ha Protected area in the Baltic sea 3 130 ha Forested area 30 % Length of protected coastline 15 km Share of total national coastline 16,5 % Settlements Karklė, Kalotė, Population 750 The Kuršių nerija national park Protected area in total 26 461 ha Protected area of territory 9 761 ha Protected area in the Baltic sea 12 500 ha Forested area 75 % Protected area in the Kuršių marios 4 200 ha Length of protected coastline 45,6 km Share of total national coastline 49,8 % Settlements Nida, Juodkrantė, , Population 3 500 Municipalities Klaipėda city municipality Area (km²) 98 km² Population 167 000 Density of population 1 704 per km² Adjoining settlements on the coast Melnragė, Giruliai Klaipėda district municipality Area (km²) 1336 km² Population 53 000 Density of population (per km²) 39,7 km² Palanga urban municipality Area 79 km² Population 17 600 Density of population 222,8 (km²) Settlements Šventoji, Būtingė Neringa municipality Area 94,4 km² Population 3600 Density of population (per km²) 38,1 per km² Settlements Nida, Pervalka, Preila, Juodkrantė Elaborated by E. Spiriajevas (2011).

2. Geological, morphological structures and the types of coastline

The Lithuanian coastal zone belongs to the southeast Baltic region of graded coasts, which took their present shape during Pleistocene and Holocene. Within the strip of coasts, which stretches northwards from Sambian peninsula deposits of glacial drift and marine sand accretion prevail. Recent geological history of the case study area since the end of the latest Ice Age (ca. 10 – 12 thousand years B.P.) is closely related to the development of the Baltic Sea. Several sea transgressions after the deglaciation caused active erosion of Quarternary glacial drift deposits and longshore sediment distribution along the eastern Baltic coast. Grading of the shoreline as well as dune, lagoon and wetland formation in the coastal zone were the key processes featuring the latest geological and geomorphological development of the southeast Baltic coastal region. These processes were the most active during and after the Littorina sea transgression (5 – 6 m above the recent sea level) in the mid-Holocene (8 – 5 thousand years B.P.). The morphological structure of the Lithuanian coast is rather simple. The southern half is formed by the Kuršių nerija (the Curonian ), a narrow concave peninsula separating the Kuršių marios (Curonian Lagoon) from the Baltic Sea. The is a sandy stretch of land extending 98 kilometres, half of which belongs to Lithuania, the other half to . The width of the peninsula varies from 400 metres to 3.8 kilometres. The strait serves as an outlet for the Nemunas river discharge to the sea, and as Klaipėda seaport gate as well. The mainland coast of Lithuania stretches to the north of the Klaipeda strait. It changes into erosive - accumulative coastline, where cliff and dune coasts occur alternately. It has a shape of three concave arcs, which are separated by rather indistinct heads. Such shape of the shoreline reflects the morphological structure of the mainland, where the eroded heads – ledges of the winding longshore ridges of Pleistocene moraines and/or Holocene dunes provide sediments filling the adjacent low-lying accretion coast. Four different dynamic types of coasts could be distinguished along the Lithuanian Baltic coast: - Slight accretion prevails between Nida and Juodkrante. Shoreline is relatively stable there. The beach is relatively wide, covered by medium-sized sand grains with admixture of gravel. It is framed by the 6 to 8 m high artificial foredune. Nearshore is relatively shallow. It has sandy bottoms with Macoma baltica communities. Glacial deposits appear on the bottom surface at the depth of 16-18 m, i.e., in the euphotic zone. The foredune is covered by marram grass, sea rocket and other perennial grasses, while the dune blow-outs are overgrown mainly by willows. The foredune was artificially created in the 19th century in order to protect coastal villages from the devastating sand drift. It stretches along the entire Lithuanian Baltic coast except few places north of Klaipėda. - The coastal strip between Juodkrantė and Melnragė is characterized by a relatively strong accretion. The average advance of the shoreline to the sea is up to 2 m there (except the places adjacent to the Seagate of the Klaipėda harbour). The beach is wide (50-70 m), covered by a wellsorted medium-sized sand. It is framed by a 12 to 14 m high artificial foredune. The nearshore is very shallow, it has sandy bottoms with Macoma baltica communities down to the 20-30 m depth. - The coastal strip between Melnragė and Nemirseta is characterized by a moderate erosion and shoreline retreat up to 1 m annually. Glacial coastal scarps and bluffs prevail here covered with the sand of the Holocene Aeolian accumulation and forming coastal formations, which are unique for Lithuania. A steep ancient slope of the Holocene marine terrace formed by the Litorina sea transgression forms another important coastal landscape amenity with numerous coastal wetlands, rivulets and dense mixed old forest plantations. It gradually descends down northwards and southwards from the parabolic dune of Olando kepurė, where it reaches 25-29 m altitudes. The height of the coastal cliff near the Olando kepurė is up to 24,4 m high at Karklė. The cliff is active, not covered by vegetation, with numerous traces of landslides and landslips, fallen trees and sliding bushes. A relative height of the ancient slope of the Holocene marine terrace varies from 8 to 11 m. The beach in the strip between Melnragė and Nemirseta is relatively narrow, 15- 25 m wide, covered by mixed sediments, where the gravel prevails with admixture of medium- sized sand, pebble and boulders. The nearshore is relatively steep, covered by fine sand, it has a hard bench of boulders, pebble and gravel. Here on the varied hard bottom sediments covered by the communities of Mytilus edulis with the sufficient penetration of sunlight the most favorable conditions form for the greatest biodiversity in the entire eastern Baltic Sea area. Therefore this area is one of the most important spawning places for the Baltic herring. Below the hard bottom area in the aphotic zone of 25-30 m depth the conditions for the marine life are much worse. - North of Nemirseta the grading of the coast during the series of the Baltic Sea transgressions all through the Holocene created favorable conditions for sand accretion. The shoreline is relatively stable (except the places adjacent to the Palanga pier and Butingė waste-water discharge pipeline). The beach is relatively wide (50-90 m), covered by a well-sorted medium-sized sand. The beach is framed by the 3 to 6 m high artificial foredune. The foredune is covered by marram grass, sea rocket and other perennial grasses, while the dune blow-outs are overgrown mainly by willows. The nearshore is relatively shallow, it has sandy bottoms with Macoma baltica communities. Glacial deposits appear at the bottom surface at the depth of 4-6 m, i.e., still in the photic zone. Here also on the varied hard bottom sediments covered by the communities of Mytilus edulis with the sufficient penetration of sunlight favorable conditions form for the biodiversity. Therefore, this area is also among the most suitable spawning places for the Baltic herring. Behind the foredune there is an ancient coastal accumulative plain covered with the sand of the Holocene Aeolian accumulation. The terrace is covered by numerous coastal wetlands, rivulets, pine-forest plantations. The major landmarks of this area are two parabolic dunes: the Birutė hill and the Nagliai hill reaching 20 m altitude (Povilanskas; Urbis, 2004).

3. Retrospective approach towards dynamics of the coastline

Since the very beginning of the 19th century attempts to stabilise coastline shifting are undertaken (Dubra, 2006). In order to keep dwelling areas safe from burying with sand, a sandy protective dune was constructed along the entire Lithuanian seashore line. In 1834, when jetties of the Port of Klaipeda were reinforced and prolonged, the seacoast was stabilised to the north from the port entrance and it was moved seawards for about 300 meters. In 1888-1890 the construction of a pier-type sea port near Palanga was implemented. Under the pier a waterproof groyne was erected for prevention of the waveaction. This resulted to rapid sand accumulation within the groyne impact area. After several years due to exploitation difficulties shipping activities were closed in Palanga and the promenade pier began to serve the needs of holiday makers only. Due to intensive sand accumulation processes the coast moved seawards by 450 meters in 1888-1947 (Karwowski, 1913; Žilinskas, 2001). Subsequently, a prominence of the shore occurred that made up the area of 80 hectares and the beach near Palanga become over a hundred meters wide. In 1925, about 12 kilometers northwards from Palanga, jetties of the Port of Šventoji were constructed. They enabled the stabilisation of the seacoast and moved it over 150 meters seawards, especially there to the south from the hydrotechnical structures, which stipulated accumulation of very fine and fine sand. The sandy matter is the most significant source of sedimentary transport for seashore beaches of the Eastern Baltic Sea. Installation of new coast- related or coast protection hydrotechnical structures seriously affect the budget of drifting matter. In 1960-1964 on the basis of data of the long-term research on the Baltic Sea near the Port of Klaipėda, R. Knaps found out that the near shore streams that carry sand had the northward direction and that the amount of sand was about 250-500 thousand cubic meters (Knaps 1966). It was detected by using marked sand and automatic current recorders. Later V. Gudelis stated that the yearly amount of transported sand was 300,000 cubic meters (Gudelis 1998). It is important to mention that the hydrotechnical structures mentioned above stabilise the shore well only in calm periods. During strong gales and hurricanes a very high sea water level causes precarious situations. Strong waves, currents and wind result in the deflation processes on the shore (Žilinskas, 2001). The recent investigations of the Lithuanian mainland coastal area show the decreased volume of the sediment transport. The studies of Žilinskas et al. (2003) stated that the budget of mainland coastal surface sediments during the period of 1993-2003 was negative. The average annual loss of sediments from the Lithuanian mainland coast is about 48,000 cubic meters of sand. According to Kriaučiūnienė et al. (2006), the Lithuanian mainland beaches could accumulate 100,000 cubic meters of sediments a year. During the previous decades the Lithaunian seashore suffered the worst stress on December 4th, during the rage of the hurricane Anatoly. The shore was almost abraded and the mainland coast lost 30 hectares of the protective dune or the coastal slope. The worst damages were recorded near Palanga, where over 20 meters of the protective dune were swept away and the promenade pier was even separated from the land. Hydrotechnical constructions protected the dunes from damages near Klaipėda (mainland part) and Šventoji. During Gudrun, the seashore near Palanga again suffered the greatest loss (10 meters) in comparison to other places. Even the slopes covered with tree branches were swept away. During the strong storm the loss of the coast reached 7 hectares and almost 3 hectares were added by holiday makers, who destroyed plant cover, treaded paths and encouraged sand slides from steep slopes. In 2001-2002 during storms another 10 meters of the protective dune were swept away, and the sea shore lost 5.2 hectares. Even during 2003-2004, which were considered to be comparatively calm from the meteorological point of view, 2 hectares were lost. What is more, because of suffosion 1.5- 2.5 meters of moraine shores are lost yearly. In the previous 6 years 41 meters of the protective dune were lost 1 kilometer southwards from Palanga. In 1999-2009 the Continental part of the coast lost about 50 hectares of the protective dunes. It is only near border with where the foresters step by step are reconstructing the protective dune which was dug off when installing the oil terminal pipeline. In other places the dunes almost were not reconstructed. On the average 2 meters of the protective dune or the coastal slope are washed away during a year. The period of 1999-2009 was rather stormy, cases of very high water level were observed quite frequently. Hurricanes Anatoly and strong storm Gudrun raged. Several more gales almost as strong as hurricanes came. The sea shore experienced mighty stress because of wind, wave and current activities. Though the entire Lithuanian seashore was attacked by the equal force, the mainland and peninsula parts of it suffered damages of different scales. The Curonian Spit seashore southwards from the Klaipėda Strait, even with no hydrotechnical constructions on it, was better prepared to withstand storms and inroad crowds of holiday makers. Whenever a focus of abrasion appeared there, it was immediately covered with tree branches in order to hold sand in dunes. At the same time the situation in the continental part of the sea shore was different from that one in the Curonian Spit, especially near Palanga. When in 1997-1998 the groyne was under the promenade pier, it was pulled down being very easy for winds and sea waves to affect the protective dune. After foresters were removed from taking care of the mainland seashore, this zone received less concern by far. Only separate belts were properly enforced, however the major part of the seashore was constantly under the impact of holiday makers. Mainland seashore endures great stress because of anthropogenic activities, too. Since pulling down of the groyne some 10-15 meters have been lost in addition. After arranging a stone bar (twice as short as the former groyne) in the middle of 2005 the situation improved to some extent, but the reliability of the stone bar will be verified by future hurricanes. Shore protection means are applied irregularly. Great amounts of stones, gravel and shingle are illegally taken out from the beaches for house building and other needs. Constant deterioration of the former port of Šventoji jetties can form a new area of abrasion in the nearest future. During the strong storm Gudrun water streams started flowing over the jetties. In future the present widest beach (120 meters) on the Lithuanian coast can became narrower. Great damages to Lithuanian sea coast are made during summer periods, when more and more dunes are trodden by their visitors and later by the winds. Average retreat rate of the protective dune for the Curonian Spit in 1859-1910 was about 60 cm. The seashore that lies in the former military zone is being very badly abraded. It had been not enforced before numerous undisciplined holiday makers began to visit it frequently. Nowadays only 5 percent of the western slope of the protective dune is covered by plants. Such cover is too weak to stabilise the sand. Holiday makers destroy the plant cover and cause sand slides from steep dunes after storms, thus enabling the sand to move under the influence of wind. The wind carries sand further from the coastline to the fields causing its shortage on the beaches. It's necessary to remember how well the areas of dunes near Palanga and Melnragė were planted with Daphne-willows (Salix daphnoides) and other bushes after the hurricane in 1967. After the reconstruction of the Klaipėda port jetties, processes of the shore abrasion became more intensive near to the north from Klaipėda. Only on separate fragments of the shore as near Šventoji and Palanga, a protective dune was constructed to hold and accumulate the running sand. On the rest of the shore after partial washing off or almost entire destroying of the protective dune, westerly stormy winds transport the sand and scatter it on the fields. The running sand doesn't meet any obstacles on its way there, as it has happened on the Curonian Spit. Thus it could be said that sand transportation abilities on the mainland seashore depends more on the wind than on man. Sand is also transported by near-the-shore currents. According to the long term investigation data, at the horizon of 15 meters (depth 20 meters) in normal weather conditions 55.3% of near- the-shore currents go to the north, 35.7% hold the south direction, and only 5.7% of near-the- bottom currents are directed to the shore, 3.3% go seawards. Consequently when eastern or northern winds blow 5 to 10 % of currents are directed towards the coast (Dubra, 2003). It was counted that according to the sand transportation observation experiments from the Palanga promenade pier 123 thousand cubic meters of sand were transported to the north and 23 thousand cubic meters - to the south in 2005. Hurricanes and strong gales with the sequent high sea level often devastate the sandy Lithuanian sea coast. According to the changes, which are evident from long-term hydrometeorological data, it must be mentioned that Lithuanian coastal area will suffer more significant abrasion of the coast in the future. In the case of the Curonian Spit the measures should enable accumulation of the drifting sand within the impact of the strong wind of southwesterly directions. Attempts to stabilise the seashore last from ages ago till nowadays.

4. Degree of exploitation of the coastal zone

The exploitation of the coastal zone is appropriate for industrial, fishing and recreational actions mostly. Most of them are concentrated on the northern part of coastline, i.e. from Klaipėda seaport up to Būtingė oil terminal close to Latvia, and both objects are considered as the main hot spots on Lithuanian coastal zone. The rest of the area remained unexploited intensively and some of them are under protection. The starting places for local fishing enterprises are in Melnragė, Karklė, Nemirseta, Šventoji, Juodkrantė, Nida, but there are no proper jetties and their installations for fishing activities. The fishing boats are being kept on the beach or they are being transported inland and outland from various keeping places nearby the settlements. The recreational expoitation is the following: - The northern part of coastal zone is in intensive recreational use, mainly by recreationist on the beach. During the summer season the biggest territorial congestion of recreationists is appropriate for Melnragė, Giruliai, Palanga and Šventoji, as well on the northern part of the Curonian spit so called Smiltynė, that territorially belongs to Klaipėda city municipality as well. - The coastal zone of Palanga resort is in intensive use. Especially, during the summer season, during one day the beaches of Palanga are being visited nearly to 180 000 visitors per day. - More extensive use of recreational resources is appropriate for the Kuršių nerija. Relatively high ferry fares for cars transporting over the Kuršių marios (the Curonian lagoon) (approximately 12 Eur per car) and collections of ecological fees (approximately 8 Eur per car), makes the park more attractive for wealthy national and foreign visitors. - The beaches of Smiltynė are very popular among the inhabitants of Klaipėda city, they are less crowded and distinguishd for better quality of sand and cleaner water. The rest of the coastal zone is under the law of protection, except fishing by quotas is permitted.

Areas of beaches in intensive use on the coastal zone of Lithuania Elaborated by E. Spiriajevas, 2011.

Estimating the exploitaion of coastal zone according to mentioned activities, there are presented the following data:

Data about the degree of expoitation of coastal zone 500 m inland

Klaipėda Oil 43,34 ha Terminal Būtingė Oil 0,86 ha Terminal Small harbours 0,30 ha installations Beaches in 119,82 ha intensive In continental part 59,16 ha recreational In the Curonian Spit 60,66 ha use Recreational 8,77 ha infrastructure Natural areas 2750 ha under The Pajūrio regional park protection 750 ha The Kuršių nerija national park 2000 ha Hydrotechnical 1,5 ha installations Settlements 151,37 ha Other former 4 ha military buildings Elaborated by E. Spiriajevas, 2011.

Hereby, in the law of Seaside Strip issued in 2002, there are noted that the building activities are not permitted closer than 100 m before the coastline of the Baltic Sea, and no closer than 50 m before the coastline of the Curonian lagoon, exept the buildings, installations devoted for infrastructural and public needs (piers, wavebrakers, harbours’ needs and etc.). The action of exploitation for private housing is permitted only if there were old homesteads that need to be rejuvenated, restorated, and in the meantime it is not permitted to increase the space of the homesteads in comparison to the previous ones. According to the intensity of exploitation of private housing in coastal zone, there are perfomed the ranking of settlements, indicating the change in number and in time. The change of rejuvenation intensity of private housing on Lithuanian coastal zone (2005 – 2011) is the following: - The northern part of coastal zone: Palanga, Šventoji, Melnragė, Giruliai, Karklė, Nemirseta; - The southern part of coastal zone: Nida, Juodkrantė, Pervalka, Preila, Smiltynė, Alksnynė. Depicting rejuvenation intensity of private housing only 200 m inland from the Baltic Sea, the settlements of Šventoji and Karklė experienced the most intensive mentioned process. The use of coastal zone for private housing might be estimated only on expert level, because in Lithuania there is no trustworthy data. During the preparation of national report, there was carried out the interview (4th, November, 2011) of the administration of the Pajūrio regional park and here are presented the following findings: - Nowadays, the exploitation is oriented to industrial reclamation of coastal zone, including the littoral zone;

Šventoji (2005). Source: www.maps.lt

Šventoji (2011). Source: www.maps.lt

- In general, coastal zone is not adjusted for the servicing of marine recreational needs; - There is still the lack of piers, not sufficient infrastructure for sustained access to the sea, (especially in the northern part); - Lack of renting of marine recreational equipment and bicycle, marine recreational services for visitors, catering services, informational infrastructure on the sites, parking places, other services for public needs (public transport, drinking water sources); - In the future the small harbour installations are planned to build up in Karklė and Nemirseta; - Where is permitted, the areas are urbanized intensively; - In state owned forests the building of new additions is not permitted.

Karklė (2005). Source: www.maps.lt

Karklė (2011). Source: www.maps.lt

Essential finding: “Until now is kept extensive urban exploitation of the coastal zone” (Director of the Pjūrio regional park, Mr Darius Nicius). - In Lithuania there were no any small harbours installations and private peers and untill now they aren‘t built; - There are no any proper conditions for amateur fishermen activities; - Palanga resort does not provide any marine recreational services for visitors; - The Palanga bridge could have provide the function as the pier as well, but there are no entrepreneurs wishing to undertake the services of marine recreation;

Palanga (2011). Source: www.maps.lt

The National parks and reserves on the coastal zone of Lithuania Elaborated by E. Spiriajevas, 2011.

Concerning the distribution of protected area on Lithuanian coast, the network of protected areas is rather dense. The Kuršių nerijos national park is involved in the heritage list of JUNESCO. The Nemunas Delta regional park (by the Kuršių marios) is inolved in the group of wetlands that are protected by RAMSAR convention. All the national parks and reserves including their aquatories in the Baltic Sea and the Kuršių marios included in the NATURA 2000 for protection of birds‘ species, and relatively all the protected areas are devoted for protection of natural habitations within NATURA 2000 (exept the central and southern aquatories of the Kuršių nerija national park). Concerning the dredging actions, the most active processes of dredging are appropriate within the Klaipėda strait for operation of shiping, and in the proximity to the Būtingė oil terminal for operation of oil transportation. As it was noted before, both places are considered as the hot spots on Lithuanian coats. The aquatory close to the Būtingė oil terminal is not under protection, but the northern part of the Kuršių nerija (the Curonian Spit) close to the Klaipėda strait is under protection of NATURA 2000. Hereby, there are perfomed the studies about the impacts of the Klaipėda seaport on fish communities. The most of them are migratory from the Baltic Sea to the fresh waters of the Curonian lagoon, from there even further up to the rivers. Concerning the national legal system and spatial planning system both have procedures that guarantee that the biodiversity, recreational and ecosystem values will be protected and takes seriously into account at all new proposals for exploitation in the coastal strip (0 – 200 m and up to landwards and in the same area (0 – 500 m) seawards. In the meantime the strong mandatory rules for biological and ecological inventories studied, and the environmental impact assessment (hereinafter EIA) is an official tool that has an important legal instrument. Due to the contradiction between nature protection and economic development of the seaport (there is a governamenal plan to build up the deep water port) as well and its infrastructure, there is a plenty of discussion about the quality and findings noted in the documents of EIA. Relatively, the estimation of quality and efficiency of the findings of EIA is in contradiction between the public and private interests as well. Thus, the EIA is being recognized as formal document as well. Generally, the system of legislation concerning environmental protection in Lithuania is developed rather sufficient. In some cases the laws are even to strict to perform any economic activities in protected areas. Otherwise, most of the laws are being kept with no fully involved regulations, because the capabilities of state authorities are not sufficient to keep all the validations or to supervise them in the reality. One of the reasons is that the competencies of public administration are still remaining too weak and besides they are facing the contradiction between public and private interests. According to the results of interview of the director of the Pajūrio regional park Mr. Darius Nicius, the following findings considered concerning the interaction between exploitation and protection of coastal zone: - In the aquatory of the Pajūrio regional park there is being protected boulders’ sites between Karklė and Giruliai, wherein is the main spawning place of fish communes; - Lithuanian coastal zone is important for birds’ wintering (on Lithuanian coast for wintering there are being gathered about 10 % of the total population of siberian eider ducks); - The main fishing areas in intensive use are in the distance of 2 km seawards from the coastline, in the meantime extensive fishing areas are in the distance of 500 m seawards from the coastline; - Amount of fishermen is decreasing annually, thus the scopes of traditional fishing is decreasing as well. The coastal zone of Lithuania is protected rather sufficient by legislation and by practical solutions as well. The efficiency of practical solutions depends on the responsibilities and competencies of the administrations of national parks.

5. Plans for the coastal development

In Lithuania the Territorial Planning, Urban Development and Architecture Department of the Ministry of Environment forms and implements the policy in the field of territorial planning at national level in the coastal zone. The Nature Protection Department of the Ministry of Environment is responsible for the assessment of the current status and natural processes on the Lithuanian coast and for the formulation of policy recommendations in order to make the coastal protective measures more effective at national level within the coastal strip. The legislation related to the territorial planning in the coastal zone of Lithuania as follows: - Law on the Coastal Strip (2002); - Resolution of the Government on Construction in the Coastal Strip of Lithuania and in the Curonian Spit (1995); - Resolution of the Government on Defining the Delimitation of the Coastal Strip (1996); - Resoliution of the Government on Issuing Permissions in Exclusive Cases to Build (Reconstruct) Buildings, Constructions in the Coastal Strip and in the Curonian Spit (1998); - Order of the Minister of Environment on Approving the Regulation on Sea Coast Protection and Use; - General Plan of the Territory of Lithuania; - Palanga General Master Plan; - Klaipėda City General Plan; - The Curonian Spit National Park Planning Scheme (General Master Plan); - Coastal Zone Delimitation Plan.

The legislation related to nature protection in coastal zone of Lithuania in as follows: - Law on Nature Protection (1992); - Law on Forests (1994); - Law on Protected Areas (1993); - Law on Sea Environment Protection (1997); - Law on Fishery (2000); - Law on Wild Fauna (1997); - Law on Wild Flora (1999);

Coastal protective measures are defined by the following legal acts and documents: - Law on the Coastal Strip (2002); - Resolution of the Government on Coastal Management (2005); - Strategic Guidelines on the Lithuanian Baltic Sea Coast (2001); - Target Programme for the Development of the Curonian Spit Management (1999); - Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management (2003); - Modified Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management (2005).

The main principles on coast protection are defined in the Strategic Guidelines: 1) Priority priciples are saving the natural landscape and processes of coast information; 2) Complex principle of coast protection and use; 3) Coastal management measures have to be harmonized among one another. The implementation of coastal management measures in one costal section should not harm the state of the coastline of the neighboring section; 4) Differentiated application of coast protection depends on the functions of the coast; 5) Natural and legal entities are responsible for the direct or indirect impact of their activities on the coast, depending on the scale of impact. The main goal of the Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management (the Lithuanian continental coast of the Baltic Sea) is to save natural complexes of the coastline and create optimal conditions for the sustainable use of natural resources. According to carried out interview of the Pajūris regional park administration (8th November, 2011), concerning the plans for coastal development, there were determined the following findings: - Legislative basis for coastal zone protection is sufficient. The coastline is under protections of Coastal Strip Law (2002). The coastal strip is a state owned land, where any possible economic activity is being strictly regulated;

Klaipėda strait, Seaport and the Curonian Spit Source: Klaipėda deep sea seaport development. The Case Study Report within Coastman project

- For the protections of coastal strip are being adjusted different laws and the documents of territorial planning; - Insufficient functional use of public and private buildings and their architectural expression is not strictly determined by laws and general plans; - Coastal zone is developing for recreational purposes, new additions performs the function of second homes (in Nida, Juodkrantė, Giruliai, Palanga, Šventoji); - In the areas that are outside the national parks, the new additions have no appropriate architectural style (in the surrounding of 2-3 homesteads there are built the blocks of flats, which do not match the harmony of coastal landscape itself. - Architects ignore different measures of laws and regulations concerning protection of coastal zone as an integrated system; - Environmental protection is sufficiently regulated by laws. The core problem is undeveloped centralized sewage system in villages and blocks of dwellings. Most of them have installed autonomous sewage equipments. - The capacities of public infrastructure are to low to serve the needs of locals. - The Law on Coastal Strip protection occurs the area about 100 m inland, that is state owned, but some exeptions exist in Karklė (one dwelling house is built almost on the dune, and due to coastal erosion the local cementary is situated to close to the sea. Also, conflicts of illegal new additions in the Curonian Spit near the coast of the Curonian lagoon in Preila and Pervalka). - Possible negative impact on coastal protection can make planning development of the ports in Melnragė and Šventoji; - The status of deep water port and its perspective still remains undetermined. Better solution for place in Būtingė. - Priority has to be given for infrastructural projects, than for construction projects. - Better solution to leave territories without intervention until the infrastructure will be developed. Development of coastal zone has to be in parallel to development of infrastructure. - Concerning the protection of biodiversity, the suggested way of urbanization has to be in dot- like manner, i.e. some places are developed, and in the meantime some of them have to be remaining pristine. Between the dots of urbanization there has to be devoted space for extensive exploitation.

Melnragė (2011). Source: www.maps.lt

- Along the Lithuanian coastal zone there are two national parks that keep the balance between urban development, exploitation of resources and environmental protection. - The network of protected areas tries to sustain exploitation of territories (including their aquatories); - Rather intensive fishing and to small fishes’ population. There are legislative regulations concerning fishing periods, the use of nets and the size of “eyes” in the nets. - In the Pajūrio regional park there are situated nature reserve of Placio lake, Olando cap, Nemirseta and Šaipiai landscape, Karklė botanical-zoological, Karklė talasological (in the aquatory) and Karklė ethno-cultural reserves, recreational and agro territories (Information provided by the administration of the Pajūrio regional park, 2011).

Šventoji (2011). Source: www.maps.lt

The lake of Placio in the surrounding of chickweeds’ meadows in the Pajūrio regional park (2011). Source: www.maps.lt

- In the Neringa national park there are situated Naglių and Gobšto nature reserves, Lapnugario, Juodkrantės, Karvaičių, Parnidžio landscape reserves as well.

Comparison of the northern part of the Curonian Spit in 2004 and 2011. Noted the areas damaged by fire in the forest (www.maps.lt)

Both national protected areas (including their aquatories as well) are involved in Natura 2000. Since 2011 there were approved the special plan for development of continental part of coastal strip.

6. Existence of spatial planning in the coastal zone

Questions of spatial planning in the coastal zone of Lithuania always have been on a high level of importance. As it is known, during the Soviet period the Neringa peninsula has the status of semi-closed area and visiting was allowed only having issued permission for visiting of relatives, friends. The recreational facilities were limited. The sites like Juodkrantė, Nida used to be accepted the visitors only with invitations, which has been planned at least 6 months in advance. Thus, the amount of visitors to peninsula was controlled rather strong. Otherwise, Neringa as well as other places like Karklė, Nemirseta and Šventoji had the status of border areas that were watching and controlling by the Soviet regime, and these areas were semi-closed for visitors as well. Nevertheless, the spatial planning existed in terms of planned economy. For the needs of local inhabitants there were devoted the following places like Smiltynė (beaches), Melnragė (housing and beaches), Giruliai (beaches, campsites for teenagers (so called pioneers) (in Giruliai was established the sanatorium for kids and teenagers for heeling of tuberculosis). Palanga resort was very popular among all the inhabitants of Lithuania, especially during the summer time. At that time Palanga played an important role performing the functions of wellness, heeling, there were operated sanatoriums, pool with warmed-up sea water. Since Lithuania regained the independence, the coastal zone faced a plenty of conflicts in the process of regaining the land, houses as a property that was owned before the 2nd World war. The conflicts between public and private interests in coastal zone always have been the question of high importance on national level. The tendencies of market economy put aspects of chaotic territorial development, i.e. regained land, houses as a private propery attracted new inhabitants (owners) that had no previous experience how to deal their lifestyle in coastal zone, in use of resources. The remainings of Soviet public infrastructure lost their physical shape and value, in the meantime the new additions of public infrastructure started to appear at once. Recently, the natural process of market makes permanent penetration for intensification of urbanizational process that leads towards congestion of urban structures in areas where that process is possible according to national relevant laws. In the entire coastal zone Palanga and Klaipėda, both are two separate places wit dot-like principle of urban development around their axes. The rest of the areas are appropriate for extensive exploitation. The Curonian Spit has only 2 % of urbanized territory and there is kept the balance between urban development and environmental protection, balance between functional balance and traditional architecture.

Palanga, 2011. Source: www.maps.lt

In the general plan of Lithuania the coastal zone is distinguished as an important areal for sustainable development. For the continental part of coastal strip prepared integrated plan for exploitation, environmental protection, formation directions of landscapes and other measures for development. Particularly, every municipality have confirmed general and detail plans of their areas. The general plan of coastal zone is a legal basis towards territorial sustainability, i.e. planning of new territorial projects, strategic documents, allocation of financial support of EU fundings, adjusting public and private interests, etc.

7. Evaluation the national legislation and international recommendations

The national legislation of protected areas in many cases is harmonized with international recommendations and it supports the implementation of international conventions, agreements and recommendations as well, e.g. Lithuania is implementing regulations of HELCOM convention through the implementation of environmental projects that are being financed by the EU programmes, and Lithuania is one of most active actors in reduction of pollutions in the Baltic Sea. The implementation of the ICZM measures it was one of the most intensively taken action for elaboration of its concept for Lithuania, especially in legislative approach. According to the international recommendations the Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management established in 2003 and revised in 2005. This programme is the main instrument to implement so called limited intervention in coastal protection strategy. The programme is based on the following principles: - Conservation of natural coastal landscapes and coastal processes; - Differentiation of coastal management measures according to specific priorities for coastal conservation; - Monitoring coastal development. In 2005, the government decided to revise the programme to include the vulnerable Curonian Spit. The responsibility for the implementation of the Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management was designated to the Klaipeda County Head Administration. Up to 2007, the activities actually carried out under this programme were limited due to a lack of Fundings. The main actions were undertaken among Palanga and the Curonian Spit and focused on counteracting erosion by means of soft measures, such as beach nourishments with natural materials, as well habitat protection. Consequently and after the award of European funds, the Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management 2008-2013 was established. With this programme, the Lithuanian government aims to further stabilise the coastline and protect the coastal dunes by means of soft protection measures. In Lithuania, the question concerning the implementation of principles and measures of ICZM is still remaining unsolved recently. Since 1st of July in 2010, the Administration of Counties (regional authorities) are liquidated, thus the functions related to coastal management have been overtaken by the Ministery of Environement, in the meantime the agencies for environemental protection are performing the role of inspection. The functions of territorial planning are devoted for municipalities. Generally, there are legislative backgrounds for ICZM development, but still there is no obvious and legal inter-institutional share for efficient implementation. The role of public administration is still insufficient due to the lack of competencies and financial issues.

8. Environmental Impact Assessment

The implementation of investment project for infrastructure development requires fulfilling an environmental impact assessment, even in small scale investment projects (if it is eligible according to the rules of funding). This regulation is appropriate for national, European Union and other sources of fundings as well. If the topic of project action related to development of transport networks, energetic networks, other supply networks, small scale infrastructure projects that have their focus on environmental engineering and protection, thus environmental impact assessment (EIA) is compulsory and legally enforced. In the reality, the EIA in Lithuania has more formal character. On expert level EIA has no trust or it is being recognized as untrustworthy. There is no clear outwardness, because the contracting part selects the exponent for fulfilment of EIA. In some cases the results of EIA are not transparent enough. Generally, there is a lack of knowledge, experience, traditions and qualified experts to perform impartial EIA. Thus, there is existing lack of responsibility between EIA performers and contracting part. The quality of EIA is always under discussions and the quality is estimated with formal acceptances. 9. Suggestions for improvements of sustainable management of national coastal areas in Lithuania and the Baltic Green Belt, possible adequate solutions

For coastal areas in Lithuania

The core problem: The coast and coastal zone both have still rather weak approach as an integrated territorial system. Even the perception of coastal region faces the lack of public and institutional approach in public administration. Thus, the infrastructure is being developed apart from integrated approach of coastal zone management. Territorial planning decision makers face the contradiction between public and private interests, even though there are confirmed general plans and detail plans, the separate private interests are prevailing especially in unprotected areas of coastal zone (Melnragė, Giruliai, Šventoji). Mandatory specific planning for coastal zone management has to be the legal measure for sustainable development. Thus, the approach towards ICZM has to be integrated. The suggestion for improvement towards sustainability: The elaboration and legislative approval of the scheme within the action of public administration on municipal and national levels will make the implementations of ICZM principles more transparent. The duties of responsibilities have to be shared and clearly defined within institutions on municipal and national levels as well.

The core problem: The process of development of settlements also has no clear vision, because the developing settlements, villages are overtaking the urban culture and life style, thus they are not preserving rural culture, but becoming a part of cities. The suggestion for improvement towards sustainability: For urban planning in coastal zone has to be elaborated clear vision in perception of coastal landscape related to traditional and re-establishing historical architectural style with strict legislative regulations. The priority for public needs has to be over private interests.

The core problem: In the coastal zone, traditional businesses have been fishery and catle-breeding. Now the catle- breeding is almost disappeared and does not play the role of incomes for locals. Traditional fishery business is becoming weak due to the lack of proper installations, state support, quotas for fishing, almost lost fishing habits. Also, the self-cost of traditional fishing became too high and unprofitable. The suggestion for improvement towards sustainability: The former plots for catle-breeding have to be kept using available methods of sustainability, i.e. introducing sheeps and goats as alternatives. The government has to recognize traditional fishing on the same level as traditional handicrafs that are recognized as alternative economic activities in rural areas. In the meantime these activities are eligible for state support as heritage.

The core problem: The plots for agriculture are not in use by farmers. Just some of them are in extensive use. The agriculture as an economy activity lost its value and its importance as the source of incomes. Especialy, in the northern part around Nemirseta, Karklė there are some gazing plots for sheeps, goats and horses. This action was introduced by different EU environmental projects for prevention of gazing plots agains the processes of grass over. In other places are prevailing the meadows covered by chickweeds. The locals are not undertaking the farming activities due to the need to use the areas for second homes. Therefore, the state has to take care of natural trim. The suggestion for improvement towards sustainability: The private areas in the coastal zone that are not well kept, there has to be implemented legislative measures with defining more transparent responsibilities of land owners.

For coastal areas in the Baltic Green Belt

The suggestions for improvement towards sustainability:

- The countries and their authorities the experience of implementation the principles of IZCM has to share noting transparent outcomes of the actions. There has to be elaborated monitoring system with description of good and bad examples and shared experience; - There has to be elaborated the joint master plan for monitoring and transparent methodology for assessment of rised up changes and their peculiarities not only in nature, but in socio- economic processes as well. - There has to be elaborated study about desolate buildings and objects of infrastructure in former borderlands and it must have a clear vision for readjusting of these constructions for recreational and other public needs. - There has to be elaborated thematic atlas about different processes of coastal development and comparative descriptions with cartographic representations.

10. Good examples on sustainable development/exploitation in Lithuanian coastal zone

The good examples on sustainable development and exploitation of the coastal zone are distinquished into the follawing types: - Legislative; - Institutional; - Projects related; - NGOs related;

The Legislative basis for environmental protection is rather sufficient and diversified. Lithuania had ratified and accespted the majority of international conventions, and on the base of them elaborated the additions for national legislation of environamental protection for the coastal zone as well. The beginning started with Resolution of the Government on Construction in the Coastal Strip of Lithuania and in the Curonian Spit (1995), Resolution of the Government on Defining the Delimitation of the Coastal Strip (1996), Resoliution of the Government on Issuing Permissions in Exclusive Cases to Build (Reconstruct) Buildings, Constructions in the Coastal Strip and in the Curonian Spit (1998), Target Programme for the Development of the Curonian Spit Management (1999), Strategic Guidelines on the Lithuanian Baltic Sea Coast (2001), the Law on the Coastal Strip (2002), Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management (2003); Resolution of the Government on Coastal Management (2005); Modified Programme for the Lithuanian Coastal Strip Management (2005), and finally the special plan for Lithuanian coast (continental part) development (2011). All of these are indicating that legislative system is developed, varied and supportive for sustainable development of coastal zone. The Institutional role is different according to the capabilities of public administrations, but the administrations of the natural parks are in a very principle in dealing with many solutions concerning the protection of coastal zone, and they have a strict legislative approach towards implementation of any solutions in coastal zone, e.g. the Pajūrio regional park administration. The Projects related actions towards protection and develpment of the coastal zone are being implemented by different institutions (municipalities, agencies of environmental protection, institutions of research and higher education, local communities and NGO‘s as well. During the period of 2003 – 2011 on the continental part of coastal zone there were implemented the projects related to tourism system development, preservation of flora and fauna, implementation the principles of sustainable rural development and land use, project related to artificial nourishment of the aquatories and beaches by sand, reinforcement of dunes using geotextile and natural materials, development of recreational infrastructure using natural materials, and other educational projects. The NGOs‘ related actions supports the dissemination of information about the hot spots in the coastal zone, represents the societal interests in protection of public needs in the parts of coastal zone that devoted for indutrial use. One of the most well know NGO in Western Lithuania related to protection of Lithuanian coastal zone is ecological club „Žvejonė“ established in Klaipėda and is in intensive action since 1993 for green movements.

11. Bad examples on sustainable development/exploitation (including Hot spots) for Lithuanian coastal zone

The bad examples on sustainable development and exploitation of the coastal zone are distinquished into the following types: - Institutional; - Projects related; - Shortage of financial issues; - Private housing.

The Institutional bad example is seen in the lack of inter-institutional share of responsibilities that is a cause of the problems related to the ICZM. The main public agent for coastal zone protection and management was Klaipėda County Governors’s Administration, and since 1st July, 2010, when Administration was liqudated and the functions for costal zone management and protection are shared among the administrations of national parks, municipalities, agencies for environmental protection, the Ministry of Enviroment. Thus, there is no joint action for coastal zone management and protection at the moment. The Project related bad example is appropriate to the plans to build up the deep water harbour in Melnragė, that is a cause of broking up of sustainable development of coastal zone. A deep water port construction project is presently being planned in the proximity of Klaipeda’s one of the most popular beach Melnragė. This construction could change sand drift along the eastern Baltic seaboard, and in turn lead to further degradation of sandy beaches in adjacent coastal areas. In addition, the recreational values of the Melnaragė beach may diminish which will increase human pressure on remaining coastal areas some of which are involved in NATURA 2000. According to expertised estimation, the proper place for the construction of the deep water harbour suggested in Būtingė oil terminal (if the harbour is needed for Lithuania’s economy in the reality). Būtingė oil terminal is located close to the border with Latvia. It poses a severe threat to the Baltic Sea and particularly to the recreational beaches of Lithuania and Latvia, which are now and then affected by minor oil spills. Some spills and oil leakage take place without any notice by the oil company or ship that cause the spill, and because this coastal region is so sparsely populated a spill may become unnoticed in addition to unannounced. Klaipėda harbour is located on the strait connecting the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. The harbor has a large number of stevedoring companies, some of which are dealing with loading of oil, other petrochemical products and various toxic chemicals. These companies are vital contributors to the Lithuanian economy, which renders them a privileged position and also means that their negative impact on the environment is usually overlooked by local and national authorities (as a matter of the fact, the EIA in Lithuania has formal like character). The shortage of financial issues is seen in the action of reinforcements of the dunes. Along the Lithuanian Baltic coast, there is a plenty of reinforcements of dunes, that are made of natural resources like lops and small logs. These reinforcements are preventing the dunes against deflation. Every year, the reinforcements of dunes have to be checked and fixed. Due to shortage of financial issues, the local authorities are able to execute the fixings only in critical spots. The self-coast for the reinforcements of the dunes on the coastal strip is for about 15 000 EUR per 1 km. The budget of the Pajūrio regional park allocated by state authorities is capable to take care of up to 1 km of the coastal strip annually). The worsest situation is in Palanga, which is one of the most popular resort with many active recreational activities, and attracts at least 1 000 000 visitors per year. Due to the storms in winter times and outwashes of sand, the strips of beaches became narrower from 25 to 50 %, and lost the part of dry sand as well. The hot spots of beaches are being supplemented by transported sand from local quarries, but the shortage of financial issues allocated by state authorities is limiting the plans for intensive proper care. The Private housing factor is appropriate for sites where were re-established the rights for the private property. There were issued the permits for reconstruction of the buildings and in many cases the process of reconstruction did not match the peculiarities of coastal landscape and morphological processes.

The living house on the dune (2009). Picture taken by A. Pilaitienė

In some places after the rejuvenation of buildings and enlargements of their yards, there were closed public accesses to the beaches. Some of the accesses became narrowed. Thus, ignoring the public interests, some plots of them became “semi-private”, what is not appropriate within the national legislation. The biggest congestion of these examples is in Karklė. There were re- established the rights for private property, but the owners did not take proper care for redevelopment of infrastructure. The public engineering installations are old and can not ensure the growing needs of new private urban structures. In general, along the entire coastal zone in Lithuania, there are counted 55 desolete ownerless buildings.

Conclusions

The system of legislation concerning environmental protection in Lithuania is developed. In some cases the laws are even to strict to perform any economic activities in protected areas, but it doesn’t consider possible improvement of natural values.

The exploitation of the coastal zone is appropriate for industrial, fishing and recreational actions mostly. Most of them are concentrated on the northern part of coastline, i.e. from Klaipėda seaport up to Būtingė oil terminal close to Latvia, and both objects are considered as the main hot spots on Lithuanian coastal zone. The rest of the area remained unexploited intensively and the biggest part of them is under protection.

The Law of Seaside Strip issued in 2002, there is noted that the building activities are not permitted closer than 100 m before the coastline of the Baltic Sea, and no closer than 50 m before the coastline of the Curonian lagoon, exept the building, installations devoted for infrastructural and public needs.

The process of development of settlements also has no clear vision, because the developing settlements, villages are overtaking the urban culture and life style, thus they are not preserving rural culture, but becoming a part of cities.

The traditional fishery is disappearing and does not play the role of incomes for locals due to the lack of proper installations, state support, quotas for fishing, almost lost fishing habits. The self-cost of traditional fishing became too high and unprofitable.

The plots for agriculture are not in use by farmers. Just some of them are in extensive use. The agriculture as an economic activity lost its value and its importance as the source of incomes.

Due to the contradiction between nature protection and economic development of the seaport (there is a governmental plan to build up the deep water harbourt) as well and its infrastructure, there is a plenty of discussion about the quality and findings noted in the documents of EIA. Relatively, the estimation of and efficiency of findings in EIA is in contradiction between the public and private interests as well. Thus, the EIA is being recognized as formal document.

Concerning the dredging actions, the most active processes of dredging are appropriate within the Klaipėda strait for operation of shiping, and in the proximity to the Būtingė oil terminal for operation of oil transportation. As it was noted before, both places are considered as the hot spots on Lithuanian coast.

Concerning the national legal system and spatial planning system both have procedures that guarantee that the biodiversity, recreational and ecosystem values will be protected and takes into account at all new proposals for exploitation in the coastal strip (0 – 200 m and up to landwards and in the same area (0 – 500 m) seawards.

References

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