Published: 05.04.2020.

Supervised Institutions

The State Environmental Service (SES) is a state institution under supervision of the Ministry of the Environment. The SES was established on 1st of January 2005 integrating former State Environmental Inspectorate, 8 Regional Environmental Boards and Marine Environmental Board.

The goal of SES is to ensure the compliance of implementation of legislation framework in the area of the environment protection and natural resources.

SES functions are:

  • according to the procedure provided in the laws and regulations regulating the protection of the environment to carry out the state control of  the environment protection and natural resources use in the territory of Latvia, continental shelf, economic zones of the Baltic Sea and Rīga Gulf, territorial waters and inland waters.

  • according to the procedure provided in the laws and regulations concerning fishing to provide the control of the fishing carried out by the Latvia’s fishing vessels in the waters of the European Union member states, of states which are not member states of the European Union and in the high seas.

SES performs the following tasks:

  • controls the compliance with the laws and regulations regarding to the output and utilization of the natural resources,  the protection of the nature, the emissions of the polluting substances, the management of the hazardous and household waste, the activities with the chemical substances and products;

  • issues the permits (licenses), the technical requirements and other administrative acts concerning the utilization of the natural resources and the performance of the polluting activities;

  • informs the society about the activities of the service and gives to the society the disposable information about the environment;

  • takes part in the management of the emergency situations.

 

More detailed information in the State Environmental Service homepage: http://www.vvd.gov.lv

Currently Environment State Bureau performs following functions:

  • Carries out environmental impact assessment of proposed activities and planning documents;
  • Implements tasks delegated by the “Law on pollution” with regards to category A and category B integrated permits for polluting activities;
  • Assesses risk of industrial accidents and measures for its minimisation;
  • Acts as a competent body of Eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS);
  • Implements tasks delegated by the “Law on Packaging” with regards to management of packaging and packaging waste;
  • Revises claims and complains and takes decisions in the cases referred to in the environmental legislation;
  • Ensures information to public regarding all activities of the Bureau in accordance with the requirements of legislation and Aarhus convention.

    More detailed information in Environment State Bureau homepage: www.vpvb.gov.lv

The Nature Conservation Agency ensures implementation of unified nature protection policy in Latvia.

Main functions of Nature Conservation Agency:

  • Management of all protected areas in Latvia;

  • nature protection planning management and promotion of the plans;

  • scientifical research management in protected areas;

  • carry out the cooperation with local authorities, tourism entrepreneurs, non-governmental organisations and education institutions to promote nature conservation;

  • carry out the functions of supervision of „The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora” (CITES) including issuing the permission for importing and exporting protected animal and plant species.

  • In accordance with laws and regulations issues, suspends or cancels following licences:

    *   licences to introduce species of animals uncharacteristic for Latvia;
    *   licences for reintroduction of extinct animal populations;
    *   licences for obtaining non-game animal and bird individuals;
    *   other licences fixed in laws and regulations;

    1. educate and inform the society about nature conservation.

    Nature Conservation Agency has 4 structural units:

    • Pieriga Regional Administration

    • Vidzeme Regional Administration

    • Kurzeme Regional Administration

    • Latgale Regional Administration

    The address of Nature Conservation Agency
    Baznīcas street 7, Sigulda, LV-2150
    Tel.: 67509545
    Fax: 67509544
    E-mail: daba@daba.gov.lv  

    The Natural History Museum of Latvia (NHML), which stores a unique and diverse collection of natural sciences, is the only complete museum of natural sciences in the Baltic countries. It originated from the museum of the Riga Association of Natural Scientists (Der Naturforscherverein zu Riga) that was founded in 1845.

    The objectives set by the Association at that time were linked with the present objectives: the preservation, supplement and research of the natural collection, active environmental education, the formation of permanent and temporary exhibitions.

    There are permanent exhibitions of geology/palaeontology, zoology, entomology, botany, anthropology as well as the exhibitions Man and Environment and The Sea. Only a small part – about 5 % of the huge collection (about 186 000 items) is displayed in the exhibitions for the visitors presenting an opportunity to get acquainted with the diversity of nature of Latvia and all over the world. The collection of aberrant birds made by T.Lorenz could be considered as a collection of worldwide importance.

    The highly skilled museum professionals are involved in the educational activities and scientifical projects all over the country, as well in the different international projects. NHML is Scientific Authority for the purposes of the CITES Convention in Latvia und the Ramsar Focal Point for Communications, Education and Public Awareness.

    More detailed information in Latvian Nature Museum homepage: http://www.dabasmuzejs.gov.lv/

    Institutions of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development

    National Botanic Garden of Latvia is the largest botanical garden in the Baltic states. It covers an area of 126 ha. The collections  exceed 15000 plant taxa (species, subspecies, varieties, forms and hybrids), incl. more than 5000 trees and shrubs, about 1400 hothouse plants, some national collections of ornamental plants and other. Scientists of the garden carry out investigations in plant acclimatisation, breeding, propagation, as well floristical and taxonomical research.

    1, Miera street 
    Salaspils, LV-2169 
    Latvia


    http://www.nbd.gov.lv/english/1INDEXNBD.htm

    The State Regional Development Agency (hereinafter referred to as SRDA) is known in the regions of Latvia as a national regulatory authority promoting regional development. The SRDA is an authority operating under the supervision of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, and it is managing the programmes of state support and the activities of the European Union Structural Funds.

    The SRDA is developing and extending its functions and tasks year by year. Initially starting its activities by administrating programmes for entrepreneurs in specially supported territories it currently embraces the implementation of various state and Structural Fund financed local municipality support programmes and has become an important player in promoting regional development.

    Since 2004, the SRDA has been conducting the first level financial control of the projects of Latvian partners approved within the framework of cross-border cooperation programmes. An important SRDA action line is the assessment and analysis of regional development including the preparation and publishing of the analytical material "Development of Regions in Latvia" and the SRDA intends to continue this activity.

    The SRDA cooperates with state authorities, local municipalities, planning regions and other partners involved in the processes of regional development in order to promote and coordinate regional development and contribute to achieving the common goals. One of the areas of the SRDA activities is participation in international cooperation projects in order to ensure exchange of information and experience at an international level.

    The State Regional Development Agency home page: http://www.vraa.gov.lv/en

    Companies

    State limited liability company "Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre" established in the commercial 07.07.2009.

    Main objectives of the centre:

    • collect and process environmental information;
    • carry out environmental monitoring and inform the society on the environmental situation;
    • ensure the geologic supervision of earth entrails’ resources and rational use of the earth entrails;
    • realize the State policies in the spheres of geology, meteorology, climatology, hydrology, air quality, and cross-border air pollution influence.

    More detailed information: www.lvgmc.lv

    The task of the  limited liability company "Vides investīciju fonds" (Latvian Environmental Investment Fund) is to attract domestic and foreign funding and grant loans on easy terms to municipal and private entities to implement environmental protection projects which improve environment and to support preparation of environmental protection projects.

    More detailed information in Latvian Environmental Investment Fund homepage: http://www.leif.lv

    Institutions of Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development

    The main functions of The Electronic Communications Office:

    • management of radio frequency spectrum and numbering to ensure their rational and effective use;
    • technical planning the use of radio frequency spectrum and assigning radio frequencies for radio equipment operation;
    • the provision of electromagnetic compatibility and numbering services;
    • assigning call-signs (identification) to radio stations;
    • More information on The Electronic Communications Office home page: http://www.esd.lv