Determines the procedure for reducing flood risks in rural areas of Latvia

On January 5, the government supported the draft regulations prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture (MA), which determine the procedure for reducing flood risks in rural areas of Latvia for the period from 2016 to 2020. The aim of the draft regulations is to reduce the risk of flooding in areas protected by state-owned hydropower plants and adjacent to regulated potomacal rivers.

The draft regulations establish the procedure for implementing the specific support objective “Reducing flood risks in rural areas” of the priority axis “Environmental protection and resource efficiency” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” of the European Union Funds for the 2014–2020 programming period. 5.1.2.

In order to reduce the risk of flooding in rural areas of Latvia, it is planned to support the reconstruction and renovation of existing state drainage systems and hydrotechnical structures, the reconstruction of polder pumping stations and protective dams, the restoration and reconstruction of potomacal river sections, as well as the complete or partial restoration of natural areas (“green infrastructure”). The planned total funding (eligible costs) for the restoration projects of structures is 43.39 million euros, including 36.9 million euros (85%) from the European Regional Development Fund and 6.5 million euros (15%) from the state budget.

It is planned that this will promote business development, improve the quality of life of residents, as well as increase the value, attractiveness and productive use of natural areas in rural areas of Latvia.

In Latvia, the risk of flooding is increasing due to climate change and fluctuations in water levels. Floods threaten the safety of residents, the functioning of transport, communications and electricity supply infrastructure, the availability of medical services, and cause damage to agricultural land and forests. Companies that carry out polluting activities or other objects that can cause significant environmental pollution may also be flooded.

The preservation of strategically important infrastructure facilities (roads, motorways, railway lines, drainage systems, etc.) is of particular importance for the national economy and economic development, therefore, it is planned to first direct the investments available for mitigating the impact of climate change to the renovation and reconstruction of hydrotechnical structures.

The draft regulations will enter into force after their publication on the official publication "Latvijas Vēstnesis" website www.vestnesis.lv. More information about the draft regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers (MK) “Rules for the implementation of the specific support objective 5.1.2. “Reduce flood risks in rural areas” of the Operational Programme “Growth and Employment”” available on the Cabinet of Ministers website.

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Information prepared by:
Victoria Kalnina
Public Relations Specialist at the Ministry of Defense