The Supreme Council of
the Republic of Latvia has adopted a Law

On Specially Protected Nature Territories

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Purpose of this Law

The purpose of this Law is:

1) to lay down the basic principles for a system of specially protected nature territories;

2) to lay down the procedures for the establishment of specially protected nature territories and secure their existence;

3) to lay down the procedures for the administration of specially protected nature territories, for control of the condition of such territories, and for their registration;

4) to combine State, international, regional and private interests in regard to the establishment, preservation, maintenance and protection of specially protected nature territories.

Section 2. Subject-matter of this Law

(1) The subject-matter of this Law are specially protected nature territories (hereinafter - the protected territories).

(2) Protected territories are geographically specified areas that, in accordance with a decision of competent State authorities and administrative bodies, are under the special protection of the State and are established, protected and managed for the purpose of:

- protection and preservation of natural diversity (rare and typical natural ecosystems; living environment of protected species; original, beautiful landscapes characteristic of Latvia; geological and geomorphological formations, etc.);

- ensuring supervision of scientific research and the environment;

- preservation of territories significant for the recreation, education and instruction of society.

(3) Protected territories shall be categorised as follows: strict nature reserves, national parks, biosphere reserves, nature parks, natural monuments, nature reserves, marine protected areas, and protected landscape areas.

(4) [30 October 1997]

[30 October 1997; 15 September 2005; 14 October 2005]

Chapter II
Categories of Protected Territories

Section 3. Strict Nature Reserves

(1) Strict nature reserves are territories untouched by human activities or nearly natural, in which territories unhindered development of natural processes, shall be ensured in order to protect and study rare or typical ecosystems and parts thereof.

(2) Strict nature reserves shall have zones in which all natural resources are completely excluded from economic and other activities. In the territories of strict nature reserves there may be zones in which restricted economic, recreational, educational or other activities are permitted, provided that such activities do not endanger the preservation of nature standards and do not contradict protection and use regulations and the goal of the establishment of the reserve.

Section 4. National Parks

(1) National parks are broad areas which are characterised by outstanding nature formations of national significance, landscapes and cultural heritage landscapes untouched by human activities or nearly natural, a diversity of biotopes, abundance of cultural and historical monuments, and peculiarities of cultural environment.

(2) The main goals of national parks shall be nature protection, preservation of cultural and historical heritage, scientific research, organisation of education and recreation, which are restricted by the goals of the protection of nature and cultural environment.

(3) The territory of national parks shall be divided into functional zones in conformity with the goals of protection and use. National parks shall have zones in which all natural resources are completely excluded from economic and other activities. In the remaining territory of national parks, only such economic activities are permitted as do not substantially change the structure of historically developed landscapes.

Section 4.¹ Biosphere reserves

(1) Biosphere reserves are broad territories in which landscapes and ecosystems of international significance are located. The goal of establishing biosphere reserves is to ensure the preservation of natural diversity and to promote sustainable social and economic development of the territory.

(2) The territory of biosphere reserves in conformity with protection and utilization goals shall be divided into functional zones depending on the permitted economic, recreation, educational or other types of activities, which are not in contradiction with the protection and utilization regulation of such territories and the biosphere reserve establishment goals.

[30 October 1997; 15 September 2005]

Section 5. Nature Parks

(1) Nature parks are territories that represent the natural, cultural and historical values of a particular area, and that are suitable for recreation, education and the instruction of society.

(2) Organisation of recreation and economic activities in nature parks shall be carried out by ensuring the preservation of the natural, cultural and historical values located in such parks.

Section 6. Natural Monuments

(1) Natural monuments are separate, isolated natural formations: protected trees, dendrological plantings, avenues, geological and geomorphological natural monuments and other natural rarities having scientific, cultural and historical, aesthetic or ecological value.

(2) In order to ensure the preservation of protected trees and stones and the possibility of visiting such objects, the territory within a radius of ten metres around stones and the territory under the crowns of trees, as well as within a radius of ten meters around them counting from the projection of the crown of a tree shall also be protected.

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 18 June 2009]

Section 7. Nature Reserves

Nature reserves are nature territories little transformed or transformed in varying degrees by human activities, which territories include habitats of specially protected wild plant and animal species, and specially protected biotopes.

[28 February 2002]

Section 7.¹ Marine Protected Areas

Marine protected areas are locations in the territorial sea, exclusive economic zone or continental shelf of the Republic of Latvia which are established for the protection of protected biotopes and specially protected species habitat, as well as significant feeding and wintering places of migratory birds.

[15 September 2005]

Section 8. Protected Landscape Areas

Protected landscape areas are territories remarkable for original and diverse landscapes. The objectives of such territories shall be to protect and preserve characteristic landscape and such landscape elements, which are significant for ensuring ecological functions of protected species and biotopes, for the cultural environment and landscapes characteristic of Latvia and the landscape diversity, as well as to ensure the preservation of environment appropriate for recreation of society and for tourism, and environment friendly management.

[18 June 2009]

Section 9. Determination of New Categories of Protected Territories

[30 October 1997]

Section 10. Incorporation of Protected Territories into Other Categories of Protected Territories

A protected territory that has various goals and functions may be incorporated into other categories of protected territories.

Chapter III
Procedures for Establishment of Protected Territories

Section 11. Submission of Proposals

(1) Proposals regarding the establishment of a protected territory may be expressed in writing by natural or legal persons, appending a substantiation and a plan of specific scale thereto. Proposals regarding the establishment of protected territories shall be submitted by natural or legal persons to the Nature Conservation Agency.

(2) Within one month after receipt and evaluation of the proposal referred to in Paragraph one of this Section, the Nature Conservation Agency shall inform the relevant local government thereof in writing, as well as publish a notification in the newspaper Latvijas Vēstnesis [the official Gazette of the Government of Latvia] and at least in one local newspaper and inform land owner in writing (by sending a letter).

[18 June 2009]

Section 12. Documents Required for Preparation of a Decision

(1) In order to take a decision to change borders, zoning, category, as well as protection regime of a protected territory, the following documents are required:

1) a scientific substantiation, the developers of which are responsible for the validity, objectivity and completeness thereof;

2) a plan with referencing and borders on a scale laid down in the laws and regulations governing land use planning;

3) [15 September 2005];

4) [15 September 2005];

5) [30 October 1997];

6) a calculation regarding the amount of compensation to the land owner regarding restriction on economic activities in the protected territory.

(2) Preparation and submission of such documents to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall be ensured by the Nature Conservation Agency.

(3) If necessary, other documents may be appended that are requested by the relevant State institution that prepares or takes decisions to establish protected territories.

(4) In taking a decision to establish a protected territory, as well as to change the borders, zoning, category or protection regime, the opinion of the local government in the administrative territory of which it is intended to establish a protected territory or in which a protected territory is located shall be taken into account.

[30 October 1997; 20 November 2003; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 16 December 2010]

Section 13. Procedures for Establishment

(1) Strict nature reserves, national parks and biosphere reserves shall be established by the Saeima by adopting a relevant law.

(2) Protected landscape areas, nature reserves, nature parks, marine protected areas and natural monuments shall be established by the Cabinet.

(3) Nature reserves, nature parks and natural monuments that are of significance for the preservation of nature or cultural and historic heritage in the relevant territory may be established also by local governments.

(4) The borders, zoning and category of protected territories may be changed if scientific research, monitoring data or monitoring of protected territory management measures has confirmed that the existing category, zoning and the relevant protection regime does not conform to the goals for the establishment of the territory. The Nature Conservation Agency shall, within two weeks, notify the relevant local government in writing regarding the planned changes to the borders, zoning, category or protection regime of the protected territory, as well as publish a relevant notification in the newspaper Latvijas Vēstnesis and provide an efficient notification of land owners, including by publishing a respective announcement on the website of the Nature Conservation Agency, in an informative publication of a local government and in a newspaper published by the local government, if any, or in another local or regional newspaper. The Nature Conservation Agency shall send information in an electronic form to the local government for the purpose of posting it on the website of the respective local government.

(5) The Nature Conservation Agency shall, within one month after the law or Cabinet regulation regarding the establishment of a protected territory or the specification of zoning, or changes to the border has come into force, ensure public access information on the website of the Nature Conservation Agency and shall send information in an electronic form to the local government for the purpose of posting it on the website of the respective local government regarding restriction of ownership rights. A local government after it has passed binding regulations regarding the establishment of a protected territory shall notify the land owner regarding restriction of ownership rights.

[30 October 1997; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 28 April 2011]

Chapter IV
Ensuring the Preservation of Protected Territories

Section 14. Marking of Protected Territories on Maps and on Site

(1) The borders of protected territories and their functional zones shall be displayed on the territorial planning of the local government.

(2) For marking of the protected territories on site, special informative signs shall be used, samples of which, as well as procedures for the usage and development of such signs, shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[30 October 1997; 18 June 2009]

Section 15. Regulations on Protection and Use of Protected Territories

(1) For a protected territory, regulations on protection and use may be developed in order to ensure the protection of such territory and the preservation of the natural values existing therein.

(2) There shall be general regulations on protection and use of protected territories, individual protection and use regulations and nature protection plans for the protected territories.

[20 November 2003; 15 September 2005]

Section 16. General Regulations on Protection and Use of Protected Territories

General regulations on protection and use of protected territories, which regulate the types of permissible and prohibited activities in such territories, shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[30 October 1997]

Section 17. Individual Regulations for Protection and Use of Protected Territories

(1) Individual regulations regarding protection and use of protected territories may be developed taking into account the specific peculiarities of the protected territory, as well as the goals and tasks for the establishment and protection thereof. The individual protection and use regulations of the protected territory shall regulate the types of permitted and prohibited activities in such territory, as well as if necessary its division into functional zones.

(2) Individual regulations on protection and use of protected territories shall be regulated by the Cabinet.

(3) Individual regulations on protection and use of protected territories established by local governments shall be regulated by the relevant local government.

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 20 November 2003]

Section 18. Nature Protection Plans for Protected Territories

(1) In order to co-ordinate environmental protection, use of natural resources and the interests of regional sustainable development, to ensure the preservation of the natural value of the territory, as well as to ensure a favourable conservation status for such specially protected species and such protected biotopes, the protection purpose of which such territory was established or shall be established, a natural or legal person may develop a nature protection plans for a protected territory (hereinafter - the plan). The plan shall include scientific information regarding the protected territory, a justification for the functional zoning, if such is necessary, and shall determine unified management measures for the whole of the territory in order to achieve the protection goals thereof.

(2) A plan shall be approved by the responsible minister. Plans for protected territories established by local governments shall be developed and approved by the relevant local government.

(3) The Cabinet shall determine the development procedures for and content of plans.

(4) Upon drawing up individual protection and use regulations of a protected territory, as well as spatial development planning documents and upon managing the protected territory, the information included in the nature protection plan may be taken into account. A plan shall be of a recommendatory nature.

[15 September 2005; 10 May 2007; 28 April 2011]

Section 19. Division of Protected Territories into Zones

(1) Protected territories may be divided into functional zones. Functional zones shall have different protection and use regulations.

(2) Protected territories may be divided into the following functional zones: strict regime, regulatory regime, nature reserve, nature park, protection of landscape and neutral zone. National parks may also establish a cultural-historical zone. Closed seasons may be declared in protected territories.

(3) A neutral zone shall be determined in the marine protected areas. The restrictions laid down in marine protected areas shall not apply to the neutral zone, moreover, no restrictions are laid down in relation to the ship traffic in the neutral zone and the maritime safety therein.

(4) [29 November 2012]

(5) The functional zones of the protected territories shall be determined taking into account the needs of ensuring a favourable conservation status of the specially protected species and biotopes, and also the previous economic activity and its impact.

[15 September 2005; 28 April 2011; 29 November 2012]

Section 20. Regulation of Visits in Protected Territories

(1) Visiting in protected territories for the purposes of recreation, tourism, ecological education and scientific research shall take place in accordance with general regulations of protected territories and with individual regulations on protection and use of each territory.

(2) Visits in protected territories shall be controlled by the administrative body of such territory.

(3) Visits in protected territories established by local governments shall be controlled by the relevant local government.

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 20 November 2003; 18 June 2009]

Section 21. Ensuring Protection of Protected Territories in Conducting Planning and Design Works

In conducting economic and territorial planning, land use planning and forest management, and all types of design works, the location of the protected territory, regulations for the protection and use thereof must be conformed to.

[28 February 2002; 28 April 2011]

Section 22. Provision of Information Regarding Protected Territories

(1) The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and State administration institutions subordinate to it, and relevant local governments shall ensure that information at the disposal thereof regarding protected territories shall be freely accessible.

(2) Restrictions regarding the accessibility of information regarding protected territories may be laid down in conformity with the Freedom of Information Law, the Environmental Protection Law, protection and use regulations of protected territories and other laws and regulations.

[20 November 2003; 10 May 2007; 16 December 2010]

Section 23. Symbols of Protected Territories

[15 September 2005]

Section 24. Duties of Land Owners and Users

Land owners and users have the following duties:

1) to ensure observance of the protection and use regulations of the protected territories, and to carry out protection and maintenance measures in the relevant territories;

2) to notify the administrative body of the protected territory or the local government of existing or possible changes in natural formations, as well as of violations of protection and use regulations.

[30 October 1997; 18 June 2009]

Section 24.¹ Restrictions for the Issuance of Permits in the Event of Violation of the Laws and Regulations Governing the Protection and Use of Protected Territories

The permits specified in the laws and regulations governing the protection and use of protected territories are not issued to a person if the administrative fine for the violations in the field of the protection and use of protected territories has not been paid and also if rehabilitation measures have not been taken or the losses caused by damage to the protected territory have not been compensated in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations regarding environmental protection.

[11 June 2020]

Section 25. Administration of Protected Territories

(1) For the performance of scientific, nature protection and other activities in the protected territories, an administrative body of the protected territory may be established, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

(2) A decision to establish an administrative body of the protected territory shall be taken by a State institution in accordance with the decision of which the protected territory was established.

(3) [18 June 2009]

(4) Administration of protected territories shall be co-ordinated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

(5) In order to co-ordinate nature protection and economic interests, upon a proposal of the responsible minister, an advisory council of the protected territory may be established, the by-laws of which shall be approved by the Cabinet, but personnel shall be approved by the responsible minister.

(6) In order to ensure effective performance of the laws and regulations related to nature protection, as well as to promote the implementation of a uniform policy for nature protection and use of natural resources, the Cabinet shall establish the Nature Conservation Agency.

(7) The State scientific institute the derived public person "National Botanic Garden" shall perform the following State administration task - administer the natural monument "Latvian National Botanic Garden". In relation to the performance of the abovementioned State administration task the scientific institute derived public person "National Botanic Garden" shall be subordinate to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 20 November 2003; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 16 December 2010; 29 November 2012]

Section 26. Management Organisation of Protected Territory

Associations and foundations may be established for the implementation of the necessary economic measures in the protected territories in accordance with the procedures laid down in law. Local governments may finance and perform the management of protected territories within the administrative territory thereof. Associations, foundations and local governments shall inform the Nature Conservation Agency regarding the planned management measures.

[18 June 2009]

Section 27. State Environmental Control of Protected Territories

State environmental control of protected territories in the field of protected territories of State significance, specially protected species and biotopes, management and protection of micro-reserves shall be exercised by the Nature Conservation Agency, in other fields - by the State Environmental Service, as well as other State institutions within the scope of their competence.

[18 June 2009]

Chapter V
Financing of Preservation, Maintenance and Protection of Protected Territories

Section 28. Sources of Financing

(1) In accordance with this Law the establishment and administration of the protected territories determined by the Saeima or the Cabinet shall be financed from the resources from the State budget provided for this purpose.

(2) The preservation, maintenance and administration of the protected territories established by local governments shall be financed from local government budget resources.

(3) [18 June 2009]

(4) Special funds may be set up for the establishment, preservation and maintenance of protected territories.

(5) [15 September 2005]

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 28 April 2011]

Section 29. Tax Concessions and Compensation regarding Restrictions on Economic Activities in Protected Territories

(1) Land owners and users in protected territories have the right to tax concessions laid down in laws and regulations.

(2) Land owners also have the right to compensation laid down in law regarding restrictions on economic activity in protected territories, including in the cases laid down in law - the right to receive compensation or to request the exchange of the land owned by them for land of equivalent value owned by the State or local governments.

[20 November 2003]

Section 30. Granting of Compensation

The conditions and procedures for the granting of the compensation provided for in Section 29 of this Law shall be laid down in a separate law.

[20 November 2003]

Chapter VI
State Register of Protected Territories and Scientific Research

[15 September 2005]

Section 31. State Register of Protected Territories

(1) State Register of Protected Territories is a collection of data that contains information regarding all the protected territories in Latvia.

(2) The Nature Conservation Agency shall maintain and improve the natural data management system for ensuring the operation of the State Register of Protected Territories. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures for maintaining the natural data management system, updating data and circulating information.

(3) In addition to other information, the establishment and protection goals and tasks of the established protected territories shall be indicated in the State Register of Protected Territories.

[30 October 1997; 20 November 2003; 15 September 2005; 19 December 2013]

Section 32. Scientific Research in Protected Territories

(1) Scientific research in protected territories shall be applied for with the Nature Conservation Agency. In the cases laid down in laws and regulations scientific research in protected territories shall be co-ordinated with the relevant responsible institution and the land owner or user shall be notified regarding them.

(2) The performance of scientific research may not contradict the establishment and protection goals and tasks of the protected territory.

[20 November 2003; 18 June 2009]

Section 32.¹ Monitoring of Protected Areas

The Nature Conservation Agency shall organise and co-ordinate monitoring of the protected territories.

[28 February 2002; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009]

Chapter VII
Land Ownership and Land Use Rights, Alienation Procedures, as well as Alienation and Privatisation Restrictions of the Land Located in the Protected Territory and its Functional Zone

[6 June 2013]

Section 33. Land Ownership and Use Rights in the Protected Territory and its Functional Zone

(1) Land in a protected territory may be owned by the State, a local government, as well as by a natural person or a legal person.

(2) Land owned by or land under the jurisdiction of the State or a local government may not be privatised or alienated if it is located in the following protected territories or their functional zones:

1) in strict nature reserves;

2) nature reserves if they have not been divided into functional zones;

3) in zones of strict nature reserve, strict regime, nature reserve and regulatory regime of nature reserves, national parks, biosphere reserves, nature parks, natural monuments and protected landscape areas.

(3) Land under the jurisdiction of the State or a local government which is located in the protected territory referred to in Paragraph two of this Section or its functional zone shall be corroborated in the Land Register in the name of the State or local government in accordance with the law On Land Ownership Rights of the State and Local Governments and Corroboration Thereof in the Land Registers.

(4) Land owned by the State, which is located in the protected territory referred to in Paragraph two, Clause 2 or 3 of this Section or its functional zone, may be transferred without remuneration in the ownership of the local government, and the land owned by a local government may be transferred without remuneration to the State, taking into account the procedures for the transfer of the immovable property without remuneration laid down in the Law on the Alienation of the Property of a Public Person.

(5) Land, which is located in a protected territory or its functional zone and which has been recognised in conformity with Section 416 of the Civil Law as a property without heirs, shall be in jurisdiction of the State.

[6 June 2013]

Section 34. Rights of a Person to Acquire in Ownership the Land which is Located in the Protected Territory or its Functional Zone

(1) Land ownership rights in protected territories may be renewed for former land owners or their heirs and the land transferred into the ownership of natural persons and legal persons only if such persons undertake to observe the protection and use regulations of the protected territories and the nature protection plans.

(2) The requirements referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be indicated in the decision to renew land ownership rights or to grant ownership of the land for payment.

(3) Restrictions on ownership rights in the protected territories laid down in laws and regulations shall be marked in land boundary maps and recorded in the Land Register without the consent of the land owners on the basis of a recording request of the Nature Conservation Agency. Restrictions on ownership rights in protected territories established by local governments shall be recorded in the Land Register on the basis of a recording request of the relevant local government.

(4) [15 September 2005]

(5) If as a result of cadastral survey the area of land actually transferrable to the former owner of the land or his or her heir is larger than the restorable area of land and the difference is larger than allowed by the laws and regulations governing cadastral survey, the former owner of the land or his or her heir has the right to acquire in ownership in return for payment such difference of the surveyed area of land, which is under the jurisdiction of the State or the local government, but is located in the protected territory referred to in Section 33, Paragraph two, Clause 2 or 3 of this Law or its functional zone.

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 20 November 2003; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 6 June 2013]

Section 35. Right of First Refusal of the State to Land in Protected Territories

(1) The State has the right of first refusal to the land which is located:

1) in strict nature reserves;

2) nature reserves if they have not been divided into functional zones;

3) in natural monuments [excluding protected trees and protected stones (secular stones)] if the functional zones have not been separated in such natural monuments;

4) in zones of strict nature reserve, strict regime, nature reserve and regulatory regime of nature reserves, national parks, biosphere reserves, nature parks, natural monuments and protected landscape areas.

(2) Land owners have a duty to inform the Nature Conservation Agency regarding an intention to sell the land owned by them in the protected territories, submitting the transaction document.

(3) The Nature Conservation Agency shall exercise the right of first refusal and take a decision by informing in writing the land owner thereof within one month of the receipt of a notification from the land owner. If it is not possible to observe the time limit, it may be extended for a time period of up to two months, informing the submitter thereof.

[28 February 2002; 20 November 2003; 15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 28 April 2011]

Section 36. Expropriation of Land in Protected Territories

[18 June 2009]

Section 37. Use of Land in Protected Territories

[15 September 2005]

Section 38. Land of Protected Territories Owned and Used by Local Governments or Belonging to the State Land Reserve

[28 February 2002]

Section 38.¹ Prohibition of Land Transformation and Restrictions in Protected Territories

(1) It is prohibited to change the land use category in protected territories, in which land transformation is prohibited in accordance with general or individual provisions for the protection and use of protected territories.

(2) In protected territories, in which land transformation without a written permit of the administration of the protected territory or the regional environmental board is prohibited in accordance with general or individual provisions for the protection and use of protected territories, the land use category may be changed for utilised agricultural area, if technical provisions of the regional environmental board have been issued or the initial environmental impact assessment of the intended activity has been performed in accordance with the requirements of the Law On Environmental Impact Assessment.

[30 April 2009]

Section 38.² Action with Land, which is Located in the Protected Territory or its Functional Zone and has been Recognised as Property without Heirs and to which Claims of Creditors have been Submitted

(1) Land, which is located in a protected territory or its functional zone and has been recognised as a property without heirs and to which claims of creditors have been submitted, shall be alienated by a sworn bailiff in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Cabinet regulations. In such case the prohibition laid down in Section 33, Paragraph two of this Law shall not be applicable.

(2) If land, which is located in the protected territory or its functional zone, has been recognised as a property without heirs, a sworn notary shall send, in accordance with laws and regulations, an extract from the notarial deed book regarding termination of the inheritance matter also to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, which shall within 20 days evaluate whether it is useful to acquire the respective land for the purpose of performance of the functions of the State, and shall inform the Nature Conservation Agency thereof.

(3) The State has the priority right to acquire the land, which is located in the protected territory or its functional zone and has been recognised as a property without heirs and to which claims of creditors have been submitted. Such land may be acquired in ownership for the price bid at auction or in case of an auction not having taken place - for the opening price at the auction. The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the priority right shall be exercised.

[6 June 2013]

Chapter VIII
Liability for Violations of Protection and Use Regulations of Protected Territories

[11 June 2020 / See Paragraph 9 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 39. Liability for Violations of Protection and Use Regulations of Protected Territories

[11 June 2020 / See Paragraph 9 of Transitional Provisions]

Chapter IX
Termination of Status of Protected Territory

Section 40. Termination of Status of Protected Territory

(1) The status of a protected territory may be terminated only if the value of the protected territory has been lost.

(2) An opinion on justification for the termination of the status of a protected territory shall be provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development only after receipt of the opinion of experts.

(3) A decision to terminate the status of a protected territory, on the basis of the opinion referred to, shall be taken by a State institution that has taken a decision to establish the relevant protected territory.

[30 October 1997; 28 February 2002; 20 November 2003; 16 December 2010]

Chapter X
International Co-operation in the Establishment and Preservation of Protected Territories

Section 41. International Agreements, and Agreements Regarding Protected Territories

If an international agreement that is in force in the territory of the Republic of Latvia lays down the requirements regarding protection of the protected territories other than those laid down in the laws of the Republic of Latvia, the requirements of the international agreement shall be in force, except in cases where stricter protection regulations are laid down in laws and regulations of the Republic of Latvia.

[30 October 1997]

Section 42. Protected Territories in the Republic of Latvia as Part of the International Network of Protected Nature Territories

(1) Protected territories established in the Republic of Latvia, in accordance with the determined procedures, may be included in lists of protected nature territories of international significance.

(2) In developing a system of protected territories in the Republic of Latvia, the recommendations of international conventions and international nature protection organisations shall be observed.

Section 43. Protected Nature Territories of European Importance

(1) The protected nature territories of European importance (Natura 2000) is a unified network of protected nature territories of European importance. It includes specially protected nature territories, which are important for the European Union and substantially facilitate retaining or renewal of the protection status favourable for the types of specially protected biotopes or specially protected species in the relevant biogeographical region or regions, or which may substantially promote the unity of the network Natura 2000, as well as substantially promote the conservation of biological diversity in the biogeographical region or regions. The necessary protection measures shall be taken in such territories in order to preserve or renew protection status favourable for those biotopes and populations of species, which have caused the establishment of the relevant territory. The protection of species with wide distribution area shall be ensured within those territories of Natura 2000, which have physical and biological factors important for existence and reproduction of specimens of the referred to species.

(2) The Cabinet shall determine criteria (hereinafter - the criteria) for the establishment of protected nature territories of European importance (Natura 2000) in Latvia. The list of protected territories of European importance (Natura 2000) in which all the protected territories and micro-reserves conforming to the criteria have been included shall be determined by the Annex to this Law. The Nature Conservation Agency shall prepare the necessary information for the society and for the European Commission regarding the protected territories of European importance (Natura 2000) in Latvia.

(3) The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall develop proposals for the establishment of new protected territories conforming to the criteria, for a change of category of a protected territory or for changing the borders in cases where the protected nature territories of European importance (Natura 2000) are not provided with a sufficient protection regime.

(4) For an intended activity or planning document (except protected territory nature protection plans and the activities provided for therein, which are necessary for the management or renewal of habitats of specially protected species, habitats of specially protected species of restricted use or specially protected biotopes, as well as the arrangement of public access nature tourism and reference infrastructure objects provided for in nature protection plans of the protected territories), which separately or together with other intended activities or planning document may substantially affect a protected nature territory of European importance (Natura 2000) an environmental impact assessment shall be performed.

(5) The intended activities shall be permitted to be performed or a planning document to be implemented if such activities do not negatively affect the ecological functions and integrity of the protected nature territory of European importance (Natura 2000) and do not contradict the goals of establishing and protection of such territory.

(6) If the implementation of the intended activities or planning document negatively affect the protected nature territory of European importance (Natura 2000), the performance of the activities shall be permitted or the document implemented only in cases where such activities are the only solution and are necessary to satisfy overriding public interests, also social or economic interests.

(7) If in the protected nature territory of European importance (Natura 2000) can be found European Union priority species or biotopes found in Latvia laid down in laws and regulations subsidiary to the Special and Biotope Protection Law, the intended activities shall be permitted to be performed or a planning document to be implemented only in such cases where such activities are the only solution and are necessary for the health protection, security or environmental protection interests of the society.

(8) In the case provided for in Paragraph seven of this Section, the intended activities shall be permitted to be performed or a planning document to be implemented also when it is necessary to satisfy other especially overriding public interests if an opinion has been received from the European Commission.

(9) In the cases determined in Paragraphs six, seven and eight of this Law compensatory measures for the network of protected nature territories of European importance (Natura 2000) shall be determined.

(10) If upon proposal of the responsible sectoral minister the Cabinet has adopted an order that the planned activity is necessary for the fulfilment of overriding public interests, the conditions of Paragraphs four, five, six or seven, eight and nine of this Section shall be applied to the activities laid down in the laws and regulations governing the protection and use of protected territories.

[28 February 2002; 20 November 2003; 15 September 2005; 10 May 2007; 18 June 2009; 16 December 2010; 28 April 2011]

Section 44. Compensatory Measures for the Network of Protected Nature Territories of European Importance (Natura 2000)

(1) Compensatory measures for the network of protected nature territories of European importance (Natura 2000) (hereinafter - the compensatory measures) shall be performed in order to ensure the balancing of the negative impact of the performance of the intended activities or the implementation of the planning document and the protection and preservation of the unity (integrity) of the territory.

(2) Criteria on the basis of which compensatory measures shall be determined, the application procedures and the requirements for the development and implementation of a long-term monitoring plan shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) The selection and implementation of compensatory measures, as well as the costs of the development and implementation of a long-term monitoring plan for such measures shall be covered by the proposer of the intended activities or the developer of the planning document.

(4) An Environment State Bureau report regarding the application of compensatory measures shall be sent to the European Commission. The requirements for the content of the report and the procedures for sending the report shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[15 September 2005]

Chapter XI
Administrative Offences in the Field of the Protection and Use of Protected Territories and Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

[11 June 2020 / Chapter shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 9 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 45. Administrative Offences in the Field of the Protection and Use of Protected Territories

(1) For violating the requirements for the movement about, stopping and parking of motor vehicles laid down in the laws and regulations governing the protection and use of protected territories, a warning or a fine from six to seventy units of fine shall be imposed.

(2) For violating the requirements laid down in the laws and regulations governing the protection and use of protected territories, a warning or a fine from six to two hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person but a fine from fifty-six to four hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(3) For arbitrary felling or damaging of protected trees and trees growing in protected avenues and protected dendrological plantings, a fine from twenty-eight to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person but a fine from fifty-six to two hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(4) For violating the requirements for the use of plant protection products laid down in the laws and regulations governing the protection and use of protected territories, a fine from eight to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person but a fine from sixteen to two thousand units of fine - on a legal person.

[11 June 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 9 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 46. Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

(1) Administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraph one of this Law shall be conducted by the Nature Conservation Agency, State Police, municipal police, local government environmental inspectorate, or official of local government environmental control.

(2) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraphs two and three of this Law shall be conducted by the Nature Conservation Agency.

(3) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraphs two and three of this Law, provided that they have been detected by the officials of the State Police, shall be conducted by the State Police until examination of the case. The administrative offence case for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraphs two and three of this Law shall be examined by the Nature Conservation Agency.

(4) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraph four of this Law shall be conducted by the State Plant Protection Service.

(5) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraphs two, three and four of this Law, provided that they have been detected by the officials of the municipal police, local government environmental inspectorate, or local government environmental control, shall be conducted by municipal police, local government environmental inspectorate, or official of local government environmental control until examination of the case. The administrative offence case for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraphs two and three of this Law shall be examined by the Nature Conservation Agency, but the administrative offence case for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraph four of this Law shall be examined by the State Plant Protection Service.

(6) The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 45 of this Law, provided that they have been detected by the officials of the State Environmental Service or the State Forest Service, shall be conducted by the State Environmental Service or the State Forest Service until examination of the administrative offence case. The administrative offence case for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraphs one, two and three of this Law shall be examined by the Nature Conservation Agency, but the administrative offence case for the offences referred to in Section 45, Paragraph four of this Law shall be examined by the State Plant Protection Service.

[11 June 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 9 of Transitional Provisions]

Transitional Provisions

[28 February 2002]

1. By 1 January 2003, the Cabinet shall determine criteria for the establishment of protected nature territories of European importance (Natura 2000) in Latvia.

2. [20 November 2003]

3. By 31 March 2004, the Cabinet shall develop and submit to the Saeima a draft law regarding the right of land owners to compensation for restrictions on economic activities in protected territories.

[20 November 2003]

4. By 1 February 2006, the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 18, Paragraph three of this Law.

[15 September 2005]

5. By 30 May 2006, the Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 44, Paragraphs two and four of this Law.

[15 September 2005]

6. In years 2011 and 2012 no new protected territories shall be established, in which restrictions to forestry activity are determined, except in cases when the protected territory must be established in accordance with the regulatory enactments of the European Union.

[16 December 2010]

7. [29 November 2012]

8. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 31, Paragraph two of this Law until 1 February 2014.

[19 December 2013]

9. Amendment regarding the deletion of Chapter VIII of this Law, and also Chapter XI shall come into force concurrently with the Law on Administrative Liability.

[11 June 2020]

Informative Reference to the European Union Directives

[15 September 2005; 18 June 2009; 28 April 2011]

This Law contains legal norms arising from:

1) Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora;

2) Directive 2009/147/EC of the European parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds;

3) Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (Text with EEA relevance).

Chairperson of the Supreme Council
of the Republic of Latvia A. Gorbunovs

Secretary of the Supreme Council
of the Republic of Latvia I. Daudišs

Adopted 2 March 1993

Law On Specially Protected Nature Territories
Annex

Latvian Natura 2000 - List of Protected Nature Territories of European Importance

[15 September 2005; 10 June 2007; 18 June 2009; 28 April 2011; 19 December 2013]

In this table, in the column "Type":

In this Annex the codes included on the column "Site code" are indicated in conformity with the Latvian Specially Protected Nature Territory Register.

The borders of specially protected nature territories are determined in accordance with legislation, which regulate the establishment of specially protected nature territories and micro-reserves.

Translation © 2021 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)