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Towards a Pilot MSP for the Lithuanian Sea

Abstract:

This set of practical information "shows the compilation of current sea uses, identifies potential conflicts & synergies as well as MSP related strategic targets and describes the efforts undertaken towards raising the general public awareness – all activities meant to smoothen the upcoming planning procedures expected to start by 2012.

Country:
Application in MSP:
Type of Issue:
Type of practice:
Stage of MSP cycle:
Cross-border / trans-national aspect:
Yes
Coherence with other processes:

Development/implementation context

This MSP exercise took place within the context of BaltSeaPlan (2009-2012). The Coastal Research and Planning Institute of Klaipeda University (KU CORPI) and the Baltic Environmental Forum (BEF) Lithuania, which represented Lithuania in the BaltSeaPlan project, led the process that tested how MSP could be carried out in Lithuania.

Legal basis

As an MSP exercise, it is not legally binding.

Impact on planning and decision making

The MSP exercise developed within BaltSeaPlan resulted in a statutory MSP process.

Area covered

The MSP exercise covers the maritime area of Lithuania; an area of not more than 7000 km2 that borders with Latvia, Russia and Sweden. This relatively small area hosts multiple uses, including ports and marinas, oil terminals, offshore military polygons, areas reserved for offshore wind energy and sand extraction, fisheries, Natura 2000 sites, etc.

Pilot plan area for the Lithuanian Sea

Historic development

The main detests and the need for MSP were identified during the implementation of Interreg IIIa Neghbouring Program between Lithuania, Poland and Russia project – POWER “Perspectives of Offshore Wind Energy development in marine areas of Lithuania, Poland and Russia”. The project that was initiated in order to foster the development of the OWE business in the South Eastern Baltics. By stocktaking the existing uses and trying to predict the potential conflicts with other sectors, project t partners made the initial stocktake of the Polish, Lithuanian and Russian (Kaliningrad Oblast’) marine areas.

Objectives of the plan

Recognizing the urgent need to address the growing demand for maritime space through comprehensive maritime spatial planning and proper management, this MSP exercise focused on the development of the purposive scheme of MSP and the implementation of relevant actions (e.g. identification of potential conflicts and synergies, assessment of the national legal framework and identification of MSP related strategic targets), as well as raising public awareness.

Designated uses

The Maritime Spatial Plan of Lithuanian Sea was not the subject of the particular exercise. Therefore, no specific uses were designated.

Public participation

The aim of the project was to create the preconditions for consolidating national MSP actors through the exploratory analysis of stakeholder priorities, public awareness raising, education and consultations. An extensive list of stakeholders was developed during the project and a mix of various participation techniques was employed ranging from one-way information tools (publications, web material) to target general audience at the early stages of the exercise to interactive involvement techniques (public talks, roundtables discussions, surveys) at later stages.

Transboundary consultation

No transboundary consultation took place within the framework of this MSP exercise.

Contact person

Dr. Nerijus Blažauskas

Tel: +370 (46) 398838

Fax: +370 (46) 398845

nbatcorpi.lt (nb[at]corpi[dot]lt)

 

Žymantas Morkvėnas

Tel: +370 (5) 2138155

Fax: +370 (5) 2135068

zymantas.morkvenasatbef.lt (zymantas[dot]morkvenas[at]bef[dot]lt)