It is possible to report changes in the areas of biologically valuable grasslands this week.

The Nature Conservation Authority (hereinafter – the Authority) reminds that landowners have until March 30 to provide information if changes have occurred to the area of biologically valuable grasslands identified on their property – it has been plowed, afforested, or a permit has been issued for activities that will destroy the grassland.

The Authority already sent out several thousand information letters in February to residents whose properties had biologically valuable grasslands identified or overestimated during the "nature census". The boundaries of these grasslands can be found in the Rural Support Service (RSS) rural register information system and the Authority's nature data management system "Ozols".

If the owner or manager applies to the RSS and receives area payments for the area of biologically valuable grassland that was recorded in the RSS rural register information system in February 2018, then the owner or manager is obliged to maintain the grassland in this and future years, and it is prohibited to separate it or convert it into land with a different type of use.

If the owners want to receive support payment for the management of biologically valuable grasslands, the grasslands must be managed by grazing them or by mowing them once a year and collecting and removing the grass. If the farmer has applied for area payments for biologically valuable grassland and has fulfilled the management conditions, in 2018 he will receive the following payments per hectare - the single area payment and additionally for class 1 productive grassland or bird habitat - 83 euros, for class 2 productive grassland - 155 euros, for class 3 productive grassland - 206 euros. We note that the support available for the management of class 4 productive grassland is 330 euros per hectare and the single area payment is not due.

If, by the time the owner or manager was informed about the biologically valuable grassland, changes have been made to the land plot, for example, it has been plowed, afforested, a pond has been dug, a construction plan has been approved, please inform the Nature Protection Board about this by March 30 by sending an application to the e-mail address skaitamdabu@daba.gov.lv or by mail to the Nature Protection Board, Baznīcas iela 7, Sigulda, LV-2150. The letter of application must indicate the area in which the type of transformations have occurred, the cadastral number of the land unit, the field block number, and, if necessary, attach cartographic material.

If the farmer has not notified the separated or converted field by March 30, the relevant field will retain the status of BVZ and, if the farmer applies for area payments, this area will no longer be allowed to be separated and converted into land for other purposes.