Nature and Geography The Engure Municipality is an original port at the Baltic Sea, beautiful in nature and beneficially located. The territory with a total area of 397,9 km2 is located in the central part of , in the cultural and historical centre of Zemgale. The municipality borders with Jūrmala, Mersrags Parish and Tukums Parish. The Engure Municipality has the longest sea border that equals 56 km. The majority of the area is covered with forests – 57,5%, The seacoast of the Gulf of in the Engure agricultural soil occupies 17,2% and marches take 8,3%. The most Municipality populated towns are Engure, Lapmežciems, Smārde, Ragaciems, Milzkalne and Bigauņciems. The municipality has many large and small water resources: Engure Lake, pride of the region, occupies 4130 hectares and is the third largest lake in Latvia; Kaņieri Lake has a total area of 1127,8 hectares and Valgusa Lake occupies 60,3 hectares. But apart from these large lakes there are around 20 small lakes and ponds. The largest basins in the municipality are Slocene (44 km), Lāčupīte (31 km) and the Engure River (20 km). As well as the sea, lakes and rivers are rich in fish. Minerals such as dolomites, clay, peat, sand, grit, freshwater limestone are being The landscape of Smārde Parish – along the extracted in the region. 50,7% of the municipality’s territory is under way to Rauda protection. Four places are enlisted in the net of Natura 2000.

• Ķemeri National Park • Protected Areas: Plieņciema kāpa (The Dune of Plieņciems) and Apšuciema zāļu purvs (The Green Marsh of Apšuciems) • Engure Lake Nature Park and Milzukalns Nature Park • Protected Sea Territory – The Western Seacoast of the

A typical landscape of Lapmežciems Parish – pine-trees dunes

4 Territorial division In 2009 the administrative territorial reforms took place in Latvia; the Engure Municipality was established with 8000 constantly living inhabitants within three parishes of Engure, Smārde and Lapmežciems. The municipality’s administrative centre is located in Smārde.

Engure Parish on the map

Smārde Parish on the map

Engure Parish Lapmežciems Parish on the map

5 ENGURE COUNTY MUNICIPALITY Facts & Figures II

MOST POPULAR OBJECTS - Jurmala Airport - Šlokenbeka Manor - Lakes – Kaņieris, Engure - Milzkalne - Small pasque flower, growing in Engure Dune ENGURE PARISH

• Engure Parish occupies a total area of 133 km2. The density of population is a 21,5 inhabitant per km2. The parish unites eight inhabited areas: Engure (the centre of the parish), Abragciems, Plieņciems, Apšuciems, Klapkalnciems, Ķesterciems, Bērzciems and Ezermuiža. The area stretches 43 km along the Gulf of Riga from Klapkalnciems till Mērsrags. Engure is 70 km away from Riga and 24 km away from Tukums. The largest part of the area – 64% is covered with forests. The area used in agriculture is a small part of the region – 8,7%. The typical type of soil is sand. The parish is proud of its lake – Engure Lake that is 4,5 km wide and 18 km long; and it is the third largest lake in Latvia. The parish unites different protected areas, thus economical activity is limited on 90% of the area. There are two rivers: the Engure River and the Ķīšupe River that are both not far from Engure Lake. Due to affluent fish resources of the Baltic Sea and its geographical neighbourhood, fishing and fish processing industries have become main economical activities in the region. The largest fish farming enterprise of the area is UNDA LLC. Companies working in wood processing, tourism, agriculture, trade and other industries maintain stable business. • The traditional field of economic activity - fishing and fish processing - the largest fishing enterprise SIA Unda. • Also, a significant role is plaid by a number of companies with activity in woodworking, tourism, agriculture, commerce and so on

6 - Engure harbour – different sailing activities - Company “O-Yachts” – semi-custom catamarans Interesting facts - business & infrastructure - Company «Šote» fishing net weaving - fisherman’s yard “Dieniņas” - potters’ yard - Company “O-Yachts” – semi-custom catamarans - Zušuciema parks Lapmežciems Parish The legend says that Lapmežciems got its name from ancient deciduous trees – oaks, ashes and maples that earlier adorned the area in great numbers. The first inhabitants appeared in the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. It was the first known settlement in the territory of Latvia, so closely located to the Baltic Sea. The wide territory of the parish (49,1 km2) shares its borders with Smārde Parish, Engure Parish and Jūrmala. The Lapmežciems parish – on the map parish stretches along the seacoast. The density of population is a 50,3 inhabitant per km2. The most populated areas are Lapmežciems (the centre of the parish), Bigauņciems, Ragaciems, Antiņciems and Čaukciems. In the old times, first settlements of fishermen and sailors appeared there, thus often these settlements were called fishermen villages. Lapmežciems is 40 km away from Riga, 3 km away from Jūrmala and 35 km away from Tukums. 97% of the territory belongs to the coast of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga; it is under protection and economic activity is limited. 100% of the parish’s territory is located in Ķemeri National Park. Fishing, fish processing, trade and tourism industries are best developed in the The oldest mole of Lapmežciems region. Kaniera Lake is a favourite place among bird watchers and fishermen. Since the 19th century guests have arrived for leisure and recreation at the resorts. Every summer Lapmežciems hosts a traditional Fishermen Festival that gathers plenty of guests from all around Latvia.

The beach by the Silinu River, flowing in the sea

8 Most popular objects for visiters in Lapmežciems parish

• Old mole in Lapmežciems • Seashore at Siliņriver embouchure • Bird watching tower at Kaņiera lake • Lake-Kaņieris • New lighthouse • Ragaciema Sedums PROBLEMS TO SOLVE

• Overgrowth of the coastal with invasive species (reeds, coastal grasslands, small pines) • Seaweed collection and management • Waste management • Development of the Engure port - settlement of the issue of the pier ownership • Improvement of recreation possibilities (different landowners (the state co. “Latvia state forests” and the municipality)/different understanding hinders creating of unified, comfortable infrastructure)

6 Project “Improvement of the Engure regional beaches and their adjacent territories“ Infrastructure objects on the beach and next to them – WC, information stands, changing cabins, playground, volleyball court, benches etc., parking places. European Fisheries and Maritime Fund (EFMF). 6 terittories on the beach +2 terittories next to the beach.

Total budget EUR 240 669.00 EFMF – EUR 180 000.00 Contribution - EUR 60 669.00 Building the access road in Klapkalnciems, Engure Parish Project “SAFE SEA”

The goal of the project is to improve the environmental safety of the sea and coastal waters in the territories of the Gulf of Riga and the Irbe Strait, strengthening the co- operation and capacity of Latvian and Estonian rescue services and infrastructure managers (small ports, municipalities).

Total budget EUR 28 151,13 ERDF – EUR 23 928,46 Contribution - EUR 4 222,67 Participation as the project partner in the project “Coastal Hiking Route along the Baltic Sea Coastline in Latvia and Estonia”

Information stands and marks on the beach with practical info – where to stay, to eat, the closest entrance to the village/town/the sea

The Baltic Coastal Hiking Route is part of the European long distance path E9. The E9 route runs from Cape St. Vincent in Portugal to Narva-Jõesuu in Estonia where the Narva River flows into the Gulf of Finland.

Project "Implementation of practical activities for the coastal area management" 01.05.-10.10.2018.

Waste collection from the beac and disposal in the landfills, beach area maintenance, rental and maintenance of bio-toilets, maintenance of public toilets, installation of waste bins.

100% financed by Latvian Environmental Protection Fund Total budget EUR 21 312.13

On the process Project "Creation of new nature and cultural tourism services on the Western coastal area of the Gulf of Riga" Improvement of the Engure beach – WC, information stands, changing cabins, playground, volleyball court, benches etc.,

Planned total budget EUR 92 000 ERDF – EUR 80 000

Y2019 Project “Improvement of sailing infrastructure and yacht harbours network building in Estonia and Latvia”

• Construction of berths for yachts, cutters and boats, a lifting slip and the shore reinforcement in the Engure port • Construction of sanitary facilities with sauna in the Engure port Planned • Deepening of the fairway and aquatorium in the Engure port Total budget EUR 313 000 • Installation of floating berths in the Engure port (up to 60 yachts) ERDF – EUR 266 050 • Reconstruction of the Engure port guidelines Contribution - EUR 46 950 • Purchase and installation of floating navigation signs in the Engure port area • Mobile equipments for collecting domestic and sludge waters from yachts. Planned to finish till 31.04.2020. Started Project «Management of the habitats of the Gulf of Riga and Kanieris lake and the development of infrastructure in the territory of Engure region»

• The objective of the project is to clean up and manage the various habitats in the following areas - the seafront in Engure and Lapmežciems parish, near Lake Kanieris, at the mouth of the Starpiņupe in the Lapmezciems municipality. Establish a suitable infrastructure at several places (in the bathing areas) as well as provide information to the public about the cultural and historical values of natural values in the areas under cultivation by creating information stands and indications. • Project Realization time 01.05.2018.-30.04.2019. • Co-finansing of LVAF 35179,72EUR and investment of parish 3908,40EUR. • Main things to do is: • Bush cutting will be done and cut small trees to form a parallel to the sea coast in a place where erosion has led to the drying of seashore. Waste will be collected like old fishing nets and other fishing accessories which located on the beach without owner.

FUTURE PERSPECTIVE

• Clean-up of the coastal area from invasive species (reeds, coastal grasslands, small pines) • Seaweed collection and management • Development of the Engure port and related tourism services • Local improvements for recreation purposes • Use of marine resources in promotion of entrepreneurship

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