Lääne-Viru integrated coastal zone management plan

The project involved partners: Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tallinn University, University of Turku, Finnish Environment Intitute, and Regional Council of Satakunta

SustainBaltic i.e. ICZM Plans for Sustaining Coastal and Marine Human-ecological Networks in the Baltic Region project is implemented for 27 months during 2016- 2018. SustainBaltic (CB354) is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the Central Baltic Programme 2014-2020. SustainBaltic is a joint cooperation project of University of Turku, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Finnish Environment Institute, Regional Council of Satakunta and Tallinn University. The project targets to improve the share of the managed coastal networks in the Central Baltic area by the cross-border preparation of the ICZM plans for total four case areas with their public assessment in Estonia and Finland. This was planned to achieve by 1) Integrating multidisciplinary human-ecological data on the whole project area: in Finland the regions of Satakunta and Southwest Finland and in Estonia the areas of Lääne, Harju and Lääne-Viru with their land-sea interfaces; 2) Selecting the themes of ICZMs and case study areas which locate along the coast of Lääne and Lääne-Viru in Estonia and in the region of Satakunta in Finland; 3) Making four digital ICZM plans which were first tested with the current regional land use of the project area; 4) Public assessing of the plans using both e-platforms and arranging working groups with the stakeholders and end-users directed by the project members; and 5) As the final results of SustainBaltic the updated completed ICZM plans can be downloaded from the websites of the partner organisations and at the http://www.utu.fi/ SustainBaltic, also beyond the project life span. In addition, the interim results and the other activity phases of the preparation of the first ICZM drafts are found at the https://blogit.utu.fi/sustainbaltic. This ICZM plan (hereinafter: the management plan) covers the Lääne-Viru case area, which extends from Käsmu to Kunda (see Figure 1). The management plan has a 10-year perspective, with the aim of outlining the current trends and the necessary activities. The management plan is a knowledge-based guidance document that combines various development strategies and can be used in the development of several plans, development plans, and strategic projects (see Figure 2). The management plan consists of two parts: a description of the situation and context based on values and challenges; and an operational part of the management plan that includes integrated activities and a scheme. The management plan is based on the maritime vision of Lääne-Viru county, which focuses on three main areas: a) ensuring the development of diverse maritime transport, ports, and maritime tourism, b) strengthening the viability of historic coastal villages and communities, c) using the natural resources of the marine and coastal zones sustainably. In this management plan, the socio-ecological networks of the sea and the land are determined and the suggestive activities are based on aspects of sustainable and balanced development. Sustainability means diverse cultural and economic activities that are integrated with environmental values and do not harm nature and natural resources in the long term. The management plan is primarily focused on the greater integration of traditional fields of activity and the opportunities for diversification, especially considering the possibilities of using the coastal sea and the land together, as well as the seasonal nature of many activities (recreational economy, coastal fishing). It is also important to integrate the fields of activity (combining activities) – coastal fishing and tourism, ports and sports camps, nature conservation, and entrepreneurship – as well as develop cooperation both within the areas of activity (ports, bathing spots, etc.) and between them. In the context of spatial planning in the European Union, the ICZM is formally considered separate from Marine Spatial Planning – MSP. The preparation of MSP is obligatory for Member States. The realisation of the Integrated Coastal Zone Management, however, is up to the countries and local authorities themselves. Therefore, there is no explicitly accepted methodology for the management plan. Many people have contributed to the preparation of the management plan. A number of interviews and meetings with different stakeholders were conducted during the preparation of the plan and the steering group of the Lääne-Viru case area advised in drafting the plan. The people who prepared the management plan thank the steering group consisting of representatives of local authorities – Anneli Kivisaar (Haljala rural municipality), Ivar Lilleberg (formerly Vihula rural municipality), Mati Jõgi (formerly Lääne-Viru county government), and Marit Laast (Viru-Nigula rural municipality) –, Imbi Mets and Maret Vildak from the Environmental Board, and Jaan Kangur from the Ministry of Finance. Many thanks to Kristel Toom (Tallinn University) for the financial administration; to all Finnish colleagues, and project colleagues from Estonian University of Life Sciences working with Läänemaa ICZM case. We also thank all the interviewees, participants in public discussions, and respondents to the questionnaires.