The Saeima¹ has adopted
and the President has proclaimed the following Law:

Protection Zone Law

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in this Law

The following terms are used in this Law:

1) protection zones - certain areas, the task of which shall be to protect different types of objects (natural, as well as artificial) from undesirable external effects, to ensure the exploitation and safety thereof or to protect the environment and people from the harmful effect of an object;

2) [21 February 2002];

3) technical means of navigation - structures, equipment and constructions (beacons, spar buoys and others) with or without lighting, which have been built (installed) on land or placed in water for providing safety for shipping and aircraft flights in the waters and airspace under the jurisdiction of the State of Latvia;

4) [21 February 2002];

5) beach - part of the land of the seashore between the water level and the place where the natural vegetation of the land begins;

6) [21 February 2002];

7) [21 February 2002];

8) [21 February 2002];

9) [21 February 2002];

10) dam - a hydrotechnic structure complex, which ensures an increase of the water level in the body of water or watercourse with a maximum fall in the level of two metres and more;

11) flood zone - a territory of land, which, with an increase of water inflow into the body of water or water throughput in the watercourse, shall be flooded for a short time period;

12) isobath - a line joining points where water bodies or watercourses have equal depth;

13) building line - the line specified in the spatial plan approved by the local government, which shall delimit the territory necessary for the building of a road, street or access road from the territory to be built-upon or to be otherwise utilised territory;

14) axis of the cable line - a conditional line, which goes through the central point of each cable diameter. Each cable shall have its own axis of cable line, which shall determine the placement of the protection zone of this cable;

15) marshes - ecosystems on peat soil, in which the height of trees may not reach more than seven metres in any particular place; and

16) barrage - hydrotechnic structure, which shall be installed in order to regulate the stream of water in the riverbed or to protect the territory against flooding.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 2. Subject of this Law

The subject of this Law shall be different types of protection zones, protected areas, and protection strips, which are specified in laws and other regulatory enactments.

[21 February 2002]

Section 3. Purpose of this Law

The purpose of this Law shall be to determine:

1) the types of protection zones and the functions thereof;

2) the basic principles for the establishment of protection zones;

3) the procedures for the maintenance and control of the condition of protection zones; and

4) restrictions of economic activity in protection zones.

Section 4. Types of Protection Zones

There shall be the following types of protection zones:

1) environmental and natural resources protection zones;

2) exploitation protection zones;

3) sanitary protection zones;

4) security protection zones; and

5) other protection zones if such are provided by the Law.

Chapter II
Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Zones

Section 5. Tasks and Types of Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Zones

(1) Environmental and natural resources protection zones shall be specified around objects and territories, which are significant from the point of view of environmental protection and conservation and the rational utilisation of natural resources. The main task thereof shall be to decrease or eliminate the effects of the anthropogenic negative impact on the objects for which the protection zones have been determined.

(2) The types of environmental and natural resources protection zones shall be the following:

1) the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone;

2) the surface water body protection zones;

3) protection zones (protection areas) around cultural monuments;

4) protection zones around water-supply points;

5) [21 February 2002];

6) forest protection zones around cities; and

7) protection zones around marshes.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 6. Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga Coastal Protection Zone

(1) The Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone has been established in order to decrease the effects of pollution in the Baltic Sea, to preserve the protective functions of the forest, to eliminate the development of erosion processes, to protect the coastal landscapes, to ensure preservation and protection of coastal natural resources, including resources necessary for leisure and tourism and other territories important for society, and the balanced and the continuous utilisation thereof.

(2) The Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone shall be divided in the following zones:

1) the protection zone of coastal dunes the width of which shall be dependent upon the width of dune zone, but not less than 300 metres in the direction of land, counting from the place where the natural land vegetation begins, except in the following cases:

a) if the territorial local government spatial plan has been approved in cities, the coastal dune protection zone therein shall be not less than 150 metres, including as mandatory the specially protected biotopes therein; and

b) if the borders of villages have been approved in accordance with procedures specified in Paragraph 67 of this Law and have been specified in the spatial plan of the territorial local government, the width of the coastal dune protection zone shall be not less than 150 metres in such villages, including as mandatory the specially protected biotopes therein;

2) the sea protection zone, which includes the beach and the part of sub-continental shelf from the beginning of the continuous natural land vegetation up to the 10 metre isobath; and

3) a restricted economic activity zone up to a width of 5 kilometres, which shall be determined taking into account natural circumstances.

(3) At places, where the main coast of the sea is high-pitched, the width of the protection zone shall be determined from the upper edge of the main coast.

(4) A Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone determination draft methodology shall be developed by the Ministry of Environment after co-ordination with the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 7. Surface Water Body Protection Zones

(1) Surface water body protection zones shall be determined for reservoirs, water courses and artificial water bodies, in order to decrease the negative effects of pollution to water ecosystems, to eliminate the development of erosion processes, and to restrict economic activity in the flood zones, as well as to preserve the characteristic landscape of the area.

(2) The following minimum widths of surface water body protection zones shall be specified:

1) in rural areas (regardless of the category of land and property):

a) for the Daugava River - not less than a 500 metre wide zone for each riverbank,

b) for the Gauja River - from the headwaters to Lejasciems not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each riverbank,

c) for the Gauja River - from Lejasciems to the outfall not less than a 500 metre wide zone for each riverbank,

d) for the Lielupe River - not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each riverbank,

e) for the Venta River - not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each riverbank,

f) for other watercourses longer than 100 kilometres - not less than a 300 metre wide zone for each bank,

g) watercourses that are 25-100 kilometres long - not less than a 100 metre wide zone for each bank,

h) watercourses that are 10 - 25 kilometres long - not less than a 50 metre wide zone on each coast,

i) water courses up to 10 kilometres long - not less than a 10 metre wide zone for each bank,

j) for reservoirs, the area of which is more than 1000 hectares - not less than a 500 metre wide zone,

k) for 100-1000 hectares large reservoirs - not less than a 300 metre wide zone,

l) for 25-1000 hectares large reservoirs - not less than a 100 metre wide zone,

m) for 10-25 hectares large reservoirs - not less than a 50 metre wide zone,

n) up to 10 hectares large reservoirs - not less than a 10 metre wide zone, and

o) for a reservoir or water course with explicit flood-lands, which floods periodically, - not less than the width of the whole flood-lands by the water level regardless of the minimum width of protection zones specified in the previous Clauses;

2) in cities and villages - in the territorial plans, but not less than a 10 metre wide zone on each bank, except in cases where it is not possible due to existing buildings;

3) for an artificial water body (except in the cases where it is situated within the property of a natural person or serves as the drainage of water from the adjacent territory) - in the territorial plan, but not less than a 10 metre wide zone on each bank; and

4) on islands and peninsulas - in the territorial plan, but not less than a 20 metre wide zone.

(3) The width of the protection zone shall be determined taking into account the average water level, but if there is clearly a clearly expressed steep main coast - from the upper edge of the cliff.

(4) If the coast consists of a continuous barrage, the protection zone shall be specified to the foot of external slope if it is not otherwise provided for in other regulatory enactments.

(5) All protection zone regulations also apply to the territory between the water level and place from which the width of the protection zone shall be measured.

(6) A surface water body protection zone determination draft methodology shall be developed by the Ministry of Environment.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 7.¹ Protection Zones around Marshes

(1) Protection zones around marshes shall be determined in order to preserve biological diversity and to stabilise the regime of humidity in the zone of contiguity (transition) of the forest and marsh.

(2) The following protection zone minimum widths around marshes shall be specified:

1) for areas that are 10 to 100 hectares - a zone of 20 metres;

2) for areas larger than 100 hectares - a zone of 50 metres in the types of forest growing conditions on dry, drained, humid mineral soils and drained peat soils and at least a zone of 100 metres in the types of forest growing conditions on the humid peat soils.

[21 February 2002]

Section 8. Protection Zones (Protection Strips) around Cultural Monuments;

(1) Protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments shall be specified in order to ensure the protection and preservation of cultural monuments, as well as to decrease different kinds of negative effects on immovable cultural monuments.

(2) The draft methodology by which the protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments shall be determined, shall be drawn up by the State Inspection for Heritage Protection in accordance with regulatory enactments regulating the protection of cultural monuments. If the protection zone (protection strip) around a cultural monument is not especially specified, the minimum width thereof shall be the following:

1) in rural areas - 500 metres; and

2) in cities - 100 metres.

Section 9. Protection Zones around Water-supply points

(1) Protection zones around water-supply points shall be determined, in order to ensure the preservation and renewal of water resources, as well as to reduce the negative effects of pollution on the quality of water resources to be obtained during the whole exploitation of source of water (for not less than 25 years).

(2) A strict regime shall be determined around the water-supply points, as well as a bacteriological and chemical protection zone. Protection zones shall not be determined for drillings, wells and springs, which are utilised in farms or for acquisition of drinking water by individual users of water (natural persons) for their own needs, if an improvement has been performed and the infiltration of waste water and water pollution have been eliminated.

(3) Protection zones around centralised water-supply points shall be calculated taking into account the natural circumstances of the water-supply points and predicted water consumption.

(4) If a ground water (unprotected) horizon or the method of artificial supplementation of stocks of underground water is utilised for a centralised water-supply, a strict regime protection zone shall be calculated to ensure that the period of time for water filtration from the protection zone to the drillings of water extraction is not less than a year.

(5) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zone around water-supply points shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Health after co-ordination with the Ministry of Environment.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 10. Protection Zones around Health Resorts

[21 February 2002]

Section 11. Forest Protection Zones of around Cities

(1) Forest protection zones around cities shall be specified in order to ensure the necessary conditions for recreational activities and health improvement for the inhabitants of a city, as well as to decrease or compensate the negative effects of cities on the environment.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of protection zones around cities shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Chapter III
Exploitation Protection Zones

Section 12. The Tasks and Types of Exploitation Protection Zones

(1) Exploitation protection zones shall be determined along transport, telecommunications and other communication lines, as well as around objects, which ensure the operation of different State services. The main task of exploitation protection zones shall be to ensure the effective and safe exploitation and development possibilities of the referred to communications and objects.

The types of exploitation protection zones shall be the following:

1) protection zones along streets, motorways and railroads;

2) protection zones along telecommunication lines;

3) protection zones around State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and around other official State fixed monitoring points and posts;

4) protection zones along electric power networks;

5) protection zones along heating networks;

6) protection zones around land amelioration structures and installations;

7) protection zones along water pipe and sewage networks;

8) protection zones around geodetic field controls;

9) protection zones around technical means of navigation;

10) protection zones around gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites;

11) [21 February 2002];

12) protection zones around underground water official State monitoring posts and deep drillings;

13) protection zones around seismological monitoring stations; and

14) protection zones around dam safety determination control and measuring instrumentation.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 13. Protection Zones along Streets, Motorways and Railroads

(1) Protection zones along streets, motorways and railroads shall be determined in order to reduce the negative effects of streets, motorways and railroads on the environment, to ensure the exploitation and safety of arterial roads, as well as to form a zone free of buildings, which is necessary for reconstruction of streets and motorways.

(2) The protection zone along the streets and motorways shall be determined in the following way:

1) in cities and villages along the streets and motorways - in spatial plans in accordance with the procedures provided for by law and it shall be indicated in the land area plans as a red line (existing or projected street border) and overhanging (a line which determines the distance from the red line to the building); and

2) the width of protection zones in rural areas along motorways from the centre of the road to each side shall be the following:

a) for major State motorways - 100 metres;

b) for 1^st grade State motorways - 60 metres; and

c) for 2^nd grade State and local government motorways - 30 metres.

(3) The minimum width of protection zones along railroads shall be the following:

1) in cities, villages and other populated places the protection zone width along railroads shall be determined in the spatial plan in accordance with the procedures provided for by law; and

2) in rural areas the protection zone width along railroads shall be determined in spatial plans, but where they are not - 200 metres from the outer rail on each side of the railroad.

(4) A draft methodology for the determination of protection zones along motorways and railroads shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Section 14. Protection Zones along the Telecommunication Lines

(1) Protection zones along all types and ownership telecommunication lines and the equipment thereof shall be specified in order to ensure maximum protection from the undesirable effects of human, nature or other factors, as a result of which the normal operation of the telecommunication lines may be disturbed, and losses to the national economy and the State may be caused.

(2) The minimum width of protection zones along the telecommunication lines shall be the following:

1) along underground cables, overhead wires and radio outlet installations telecommunication lines - a land area and air space at the height of the telecommunication line, which is delimited by notional vertical planes on each side of the telecommunication line at the height of 2.5 metres from the line of the underground cables or from the centre of overhead wires line;

2) along sea telecommunication cable lines and telecommunication cables, which cross navigable or floatable rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals - the water area which is included in the entire depth from the surface to the bed by parallel planes which are located 0.25 miles in distance from the sea telecommunication cable (on each side) and 100 metres in distance from the cable (on each side) in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals;

3) around unserviceable repeater stations of surface and underground communications cable lines - land area and air space at the height of the telecommunication line, which is delimited by the notional vertical plane which is situated 3 metres in distance from the repeater station or from the border of the earthworks;

4) for firebreaks in forest tracts and plantations where the height of the trees does not exceed 4 metres - 2.5 metres on each side from the centre line up to the branches of the trees;

5) for firebreaks in forest tracts and plantations where the height of the trees exceeds 4 metres - 3.5 metres on each side from the centre line up to the branches of the trees; and

6) in places where there is a possibility of cases of frequently falling of trees, the width of the firebreak may not be less than the average height of the plantations on each side of telecommunication line. Separate trees or groups of trees, which are growing along the sides of the firebreak, shall be cut if the height thereof is more than the average height of the plantations.

If the overhead telecommunication line crosses parks, gardens or national parks, a smaller width of firebreak may be allowed to be determined by mutual agreement with the relevant undertakings, organisations or institutions.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones along the telecommunication lines shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Transport.

[19June 2003]

Section 15. Protection Zones around State Meteorological and Hydrological Observation Stations and Posts and around other Official State Fixed Monitoring Points and Posts

(1) Protection zones around State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and around other official State fixed monitoring points and posts shall be determined in order to ensure the precision and continuity of observations.

(2) The width of the protection zone around the State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and around other official State fixed monitoring points (except forest monitoring stations) and posts shall be determined by the Latvian Hydrometeorological Agency of the Ministry of Environment, and it may not exceed:

1) around a meteorological observation station and observation post area - 200 metres from the outer border of the observation area;

2) around the meteorological observation posts including around official State fixed monitoring points and posts - in a radius of 20 metres from the centre thereof;

3) around meteorological radiolocation equipment - in a radius of 30 metres from the centre of the aerial mast;

4) around land-based hydrometrical (hydrological) observation posts - 5 metres from the outer border of the equipment on land, but in a reservoir - 10 metres to both sides from the notional line drawn down from the centre of the equipment perpendicular to the coast of the reservoir by a special mark or not more than 50 metres from the coast line; and

5) around sea coastal hydrometrical (hydrological) observation posts - in a radius of 150 metres from the centre of the equipment.

(3) The width of the protection zone around the State monitoring posts and deep drillings of underground waters shall be determined by the State Geology Service and it shall not exceed 10 metres from the outer border of the post.

(4) The width of the protection zone around seismological monitoring stations shall be determined by the State Geology Service and it shall not exceed 10 metres from the outer edge of the construction of the post.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 16. Protection Zones along Electric Power Networks

(1) Protection zones along electric power networks of all kinds and any ownership, and the equipment and structures thereof shall be specified in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of electric power networks, the equipment and structures thereof.

(2) The minimum width of protection zones along the electric power networks shall be the following:

1) along overhead lines of electric power networks - a land area and airspace at the height of this line which is delimited by notional vertical planes on both sides from the outer wire of the overhead lines of electric power networks with a nominal voltage of:

a) up to 20 kilovolts - 10 metres,

b) from 20 kilovolts up to 110 kilovolts - 20 metres, and

c) above 110 kilovolts - 30 metres;

2) along overhead lines of electric power networks in populated areas - a land area and airspace at the height of this line which is delimited by notional vertical planes on both sides from the outer wire of the overhead lines of electric power networks with a nominal voltage of:

a) up to 20 kilovolts - 2 metres,

b) from 20 kilovolts up to 110 kilovolts - 4 metres, and

c) above 110 kilovolts - 8 metres;

3) along cable lines of electric power networks - a land area or airspace, which is delimited by notional vertical planes on both sides of the cable line at a distance of 1 metre from the axis of the cable line;

4) along the cable lines of electric power networks which cross navigable or floatable rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals - a water area which is delimited by parallel planes in the entire depth from the surface to the bed, which are situated 100 metres in distance from the axis of the cable line on each side; and

5) around distribution equipment, feeder stations, transformer substations of electric power networks - a land area and airspace at a distance of 1 metre on each side from the enclosure of these devices or projection of the most protruding parts thereof on the ground or on the surface of the floor.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones along the electric power networks shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics.

[21 February 2002]

Section 17. Protection Zones of Heating Networks

(1) Protection zones along all kinds and any ownership of heating networks, and the equipment and structures thereof shall be determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of heating networks, and the equipment and structures thereof.

(2) The minimum width of protection zones along the heating networks shall be the following:

1) along heat supply lines in channels or tunnels - a land area which is occupied by underground equipment, as well as a land area and airspace, which is delimited by notional vertical planes at a distance of 3 metres on each side from the outer edge of the channel or tunnel;

2) along heat supply lines without channels in the ground - a land area which is occupied by this equipment, as well as a land area, which is occupied by this equipment and which is delimited by notional vertical planes at a distance of 5 metres on each side from the outer edge of the casing; and

3) around overhead heat supply lines, distribution equipment and heat supply points - a land area and air space at a distance of 1 metre on each side from the enclosure of these devices or projection of the most protruding parts thereof on the ground or on the surface of the floor.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones along the heating networks shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics.

[21 February 2002]

Section 18. Protection Zones around Land Amelioration Structures and Equipment

(1) Protection zones around land amelioration structures and equipment shall be specified in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of the amelioration structures and equipment.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around land amelioration structures and equipment, lands to be utilised for agriculture and forestlands shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Section 19. Protection Zones along Water-pipe and Sewage Networks

(1) Protection zones along water pipes and sewage networks shall be specified in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of water pipes and sewage networks.

(2) The minimum width of protection zones along water pipes and sewage networks shall be the following:

1) along the water-pipes and sewage penstocks - 5 metres on each side from the edge of the pipeline; and

2) along gravity flow sewage pipelines - 3 metres on each side from the edge of the pipeline.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones along water pipes and sewage networks shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Environment.

[19 June 2003]

Section 20. Protection Zones around Geodetic Field Controls

(1) The protection zones around geodetic field controls shall be determined in order to ensure continuous preservation and stability of the geodetic field controls.

(2) The protection zone around the geodetic field control shall be a one-metre wide land area from the outer edge of the construction of the geodetic field control.

(3) The protection zones around geodetic field controls shall include those land areas, in which the geodetic field controls are situated, as well as a one metre wide zone of land around the borders thereof.

[21 February 2002]

Section 21. Protection Zones around Technical Means of Navigation

(1) Protection zones around technical means of navigation shall be specified in order to ensure uninterrupted and effective operation of the technical means of navigation in the waters and airspace within the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around technical means of navigation shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Transport.

Section 22. Protection Zones around Gas Lines, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites

(1) Protection zones around all kinds and any ownership gas lines, and the equipment and structures thereof, gas warehouses and storage sites shall be specified in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of gas lines, and the equipment and structures thereof, gas warehouses and storage sites.

(2) The minimum width of protection zones along gas lines, and the equipment and structures thereof, gas warehouses and storage sites shall be the following:

1) along gas lines - a land area and airspace, which is delimited by notional vertical planes on both sides from the axis of the gas line for a gas line with pressure of:

a) up to 500 decapascals - 2 metres,

b) from 500 decapascals up to 0,3 megapascals - 4 metres,

c) from 0,3 megapascals up to 0,6 megapascals - 7 metres,

d) from 0,6 megapascals up to 1,6 megapascals - 10 metres, and

e) above 1,6 megapascals - 25 metres;

2) along gas lines, which cross navigable or floatable rivers, lakes, reservoirs and canals - a water area which is included by the parallel planes in the entire depth from the surface to the bed, which are situated 100 metres in distance on each side from the axis of the gas line; and

3) around equipment and structures of gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites - a land area and airspace, which is delimited by notional vertical planes on each side from the enclosures or delimitation constructions:

a) around condensate storage containers - 25 metres,

b) around gas regulation stations - 100 metres,

c) around gas storage drillings and natural gas recovery stations - 300 metres,

d) around natural gas compressor workshops - 700 metres,

e) around gas regulation points in buildings or cabinets - 10 metres,

f) around individual gas regulators with a gas input pressure of 0.3 megapascals - 4 metres,

g) around individual gas regulators with a gas input pressure of 0.6 megapascals - 7 metres,

h) around gas filling stations (GFS) - 100 metres,

i) around equipment of the groups of gas cylinders - 10 metres,

j) around motor vehicle gas filling stations (AGUS) - 10 metres,

k) around motor vehicle natural gas filling compression stations (AGUKS) - 60 metres,

l) around storehouses for liquefied hydrocarbon gas cylinders- 10 metres,

m) around equipment using underground liquefied hydrocarbon gas cistern (reservoir) groups - 10 metres, and

n) anode earthing of electrochemical anticorrosion protection equipment - 4 metres from the earthing grid.

(3) The draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones along gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after co-ordination with the State Fire-Fighting and Rescue Service.

[21 February 2002]

Section 23. Protection Zones around Dam Safety Specification Control Measuring Instrumentation

(1) Protection zones around dam safety specification control measuring instrumentation (drillings for the specification of ground water levels, drillings and reference points for ground and structure horizontal displacements measurements, and reference points for the measurement of vertical deformations etc.) shall be determined in order to ensure the long-term preservation, protection and possibility of uninterrupted evaluation of such metering instrumentation.

(2) Protection zones around dam safety specification control measuring instrumentation shall be determined not less than in a radius of two metres around them.

(3) The draft methodology for the determination of the protection zone around dam safety specification control measuring instrumentation shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after co-ordination with the Ministry of Environment.

(2002.gada 21.februāra likuma redakcijā ar grozījumiem, kas izdarīti ar 19.06.2003. likumu, kas stājas spēkā no 23.07.2003.)[ 21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Chapter IV
Sanitary Protection Zones

Section 24. Tasks and Types of Sanitary Protection Zones

(1) Sanitary protection zones shall be specified around objects for which heightened sanitary requirements are specified. The main task thereof is to ensure sanitary requirements

(2) Sanitary protection zones are as following:

1) protection zones around graveyards;

2) protection zones around animal graveyards; and

3) [21 February 2002]

4) protection zone around waste disposal sites, waste dumps and water treatment equipment.

[21 February 2002]

Section 25. Protection Zones around Graveyards

(1) Protection zones around graveyards shall be specified in order to prevent the deterioration of sanitary conditions in the territories adjacent thereto.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around graveyards shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Health.

[19 June 2003]

Section 26. Protection Zones around Animal Graveyards

(1) Protection zones around animal graveyards shall be specified in order to prevent the deterioration of sanitary conditions in the territories adjacent thereto.

(2) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around animal graveyards shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Agriculture.

[21 February 2002]

Section 27. Protection Zones around Objects of Veterinary Supervision

[21 February 2002]

Section 28. Protection Zones around Waste Disposal Sites, Waste Dumps and Water Treatment Equipment

(1) Protection zones around waste disposal sites, waste damps and water treatment equipment shall be determined in order to ensure the protection of the territories adjacent thereto from possible or existing negative effects.

(2) The width of the protection zone around waste disposal sites shall be 500 metres, and around waste damps - 100 metres.

(3) The width of the protection zone around water treatment equipment shall be determined depending on the technology utilised and technical characteristics of the equipment:

1) for treatment equipment with closed processing in the whole cycle (without opened surfaces for storage of wastewater and mud) - 50 metres;

2) for open processing holds of waste water and closed processing of mud or closed storage thereof - 100 metres;

3) for open processing of waste water and open fields of mud - 200 metres; and

4) for fields for filtration - 50 metres.

(4) Protection zones shall be determined from the border of territory (fence, outer border of the earthwork or outer edge of the by-pass ditch).

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Chapter V
Safety Protection Zones

Section 29. Tasks and Types of Safety Protection Zones

Safety protection zones shall be determined around the lines, warehouses and storage sites of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products in water aquatoriums above and below dams. The main task of safety protection zones shall be to ensure the safety of the lines, warehouses and storage sites of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products, dams and objects located near them during the exploitation thereof and in the case of possible accidents, as well as safety of the environment and human beings. There shall be the following types of safety protection zones:

1) protection zones around the lines, warehouses and storage sites of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products; and

2) protection zones in water aquatoriums above and below dams.

[21 February 2002]

Section 30. Protection Zones around the Lines, Warehouses and Storage Sites and Processing Enterprises of Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Chemical Substances and Products

(1) Protection zones around all kinds and any ownership of the lines, warehouses, storage sites and processing enterprises of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products shall be determined in order to ensure the exploitation and safety of the lines, warehouses, storage sites and processing enterprises of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products, as well as to decrease possible negative effects to the environment and human beings.

(2) The minimum width of protection zones around the lines of petroleum and petroleum products and the structures and equipment connected thereto shall be the following:

1) along the pipeline path - a land area and airspace delimited by notional vertical planes on each side 25 metres in distance from the axis of the pipeline;

2) around the holds intended for the inflow of petroleum and petroleum products in case of accident - a land area and airspace delimited by notional vertical planes on each side 50 metres in distance from the enclosure or delimitation constructions of the territories of these objects;

3) around the main and intermediate pumping and filling stations, tank parks, filling and discharge trestles, quaysides and piers, heating points of petroleum and petroleum products - a land area and airspace delimited by notional vertical planes on each side 100 metres in distance from the enclosure or delimitation constructions of the territories of these objects;

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zones around lines, warehouses, storage sites and processing enterprises shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after co-ordination with the State Fire-Fighting and Rescue Service and the Ministry of Environment.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 31. Protection Zones around Quarries

[21 February 2002]

Section 32. Protection Zones in Water Aquatoriums Above and Below Dams.

(1) Protection zones in water aquatoriums above and below dams shall be determined in order to ensure exploitation and safety of the hydrotechnic structures of dams, as well as in water bodies and watercourses above and below the dams.

(2) The distance of the protection zone from the nearest protruded aboveground or underwater part above and below the dam of the hydrotechnic structure shall be determined at least in the width of the watercourse below the dam, but not being more than a 200 metre wide zone.

(3) A draft methodology for the determination of the protection zone in water aquatoriums above and below dams shall be drawn up by the Ministry of Economics after co-ordination with the Ministry of Environment.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Chapter VI
Basic Principles for Establishment Protection Zones and the Restrictions on Ownership Use Rights therein

Section 33. Establishment of Protection Zones

(1) All types of protection zones shall be determined in territorial local government spatial plans pursuant to the requirements of regulatory enactments.

(2) The borders of the protection zones shall be marked in land area plans and recorded in the Land Register in accordance with the procedures set out in Sections 60 and 62 of this Law. If the spatial plan has not been developed, the territorial local government shall ensure the specification of the borders of the protection zone, as well as shall submit this information to the State Land Service for the marking of the protection zones in land boundary maps.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 34. Overlapping of Protection Zones

In cases of the overlapping of several kinds of protection zones at one place, the stricter requirements and larger minimum width shall be in effect. All kinds of action in such places shall be co-ordinated with the institutions concerned.

Section 35. General Restrictions in Protection Zones

(1) General restrictions in protection zones shall be determined by laws and Cabinet regulations, they may also be prescribed by the binding rules of the local governments issued within the scope of their competence.

(2) If a protection zone has been specified for an object, the owner of it is allowed to perform activities necessary for the exploitation, repair, renovation and reconstruction of the relevant object. The land owner or legal possessor shall be notified thereof in writing at least two weeks before the commencement of the activities, except for rectification of accidents or activities for the elimination of the consequences thereof, which may be performed at anytime.

(3) In protection zones, which are on agricultural land, the planned activities of exploitation, repair, renovation and reconstruction shall be carried out within a period of time when these areas are not occupied by agricultural cultivated plants or when the preservation of the agricultural cultivated plants is possible, except for rectification of accidents or activities for the elimination of the consequences thereof, which may be performed at anytime.

(4) After the performance of the referred to activities, the owner of the object shall restore the area in such a state as is useful for utilisation for the intended needs, as well as shall compensate the land owner or user for losses caused during the performance of the activities. Determination and payment thereof shall be carried out in accordance with the procedures set out in laws or on the basis of mutual agreement.

(5) If the protection zones coincide or cross, the activities connected with the exploitation and repair of the relevant objects in the joint section of the protection zones shall be performed by the legal or natural persons concerned on the basis of mutual agreement.

(6) If legal persons and natural persons, performing activities in the protection zones in which it is necessary to protect the objects from damage, to rebuild or move, the protection, rebuilding or displacement activities shall be performed after co-ordination with the owner of the relevant object. The expenses connected with the relevant activities shall be covered by the legal or natural person or on the basis of mutual agreement - by the owner of the object.

(7) In protection zones, legal persons and natural persons shall fulfil the legal requests of the owner of the relevant object.

(8) The services of local governments, the responsible State institutions and the object owners, for the purposes of control and supervision, shall be permitted to visit the territories of protection zones at anytime, upon prior warning to the owner of the land, but if the right to use the land has been transferred to other person - to the user of the land.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 36. Restrictions in the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga Coastal Protection Zone

(1) The following restrictions shall be specified in the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone:

1) in cities and villages, the area of the land property to be newly created shall be determined by the binding regulations of territorial local governments, but the building density - in the spatial plan of the territorial local government;

2) outside of the cities and villages, the area of the land property to be newly created, on which it is permitted to locate one farmstead with auxiliary buildings, but not less than three hectares, shall be determined by the binding regulations of territorial local governments, but the building density - in the spatial plan of the territorial local government; In places where the historic construction of a farmstead has been preserved, the local government shall draw up binding regulations regarding the architectural requirements for buildings to be newly built or to be renovated in conformity with the historical characteristics of the construction;

3) if, in alienating or leasing land owned by the State or local government, a change in the type of utilisation is provided for, which is not provided for in the spatial plan, a Cabinet order shall be necessary each time; and

4) it is prohibited to install amelioration structures without co-ordination with the regional environmental board.

(2) In the coastal dune protection zone and beach, in addition to those stated in Paragraph one of this Section, it is prohibited to build new and to enlarge existing dwelling houses, and buildings and structures intended as auxiliary buildings, for production or vacationer care, except in cases where:

1) the existing buildings and structures shall be reconstructed, not exceeding the existing scale of construction, renovated or restored;

2) the port shall be developed or the existing fishing and fish processing enterprises shall be developed and reconstructed or at the existing dwelling houses the auxiliary buildings or structures shall be built and:

a) an initial assessment of the effect on the environment of the intended activity has been performed and the opinion of the State Environmental Impact Assessment Bureau regarding the final report has been received or technical regulations in accordance with the requirements set out in the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment have been issued, and

b) the relevant building has been provided for in the spatial plan of the territorial local government;

3) the building or enlargement of buildings and structures has been provided for in the spatial plan of the territorial local government and shall be performed in the territory of the city, and these activities have been co-ordinated with the Ministry of Environment or its authorised institution as well; and

4) the building and enlargement of the buildings and structures shall be performed at places approved in accordance with the procedures set out in Section 67 of this Law and within the borders of the village specified in the spatial plan of the territorial local government, where the previous building has been and the referred to activities shall be provided for in the spatial plan of the territorial local government, and they shall be co-ordinated with the Ministry of Environment or its authorised institution as well .

(3) In addition to that stated in Paragraphs one and two of this Section, it is prohibited in the coastal dune and beach protection zone:

1) to alienate the land owned by the State, except in cases, where a person has the right to privatise the land under the building in accordance with the procedures set out by law;

2) to delimit an access to the sea with fences, as well as to disturb the free movement of walkers and their presence at the beach and in the towpath. Decisions regarding the demolition of fences shall be taken and executed in accordance with the procedures set out in regulatory enactments;

3) to place and arrange storage facilities of mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricating materials, hazardous chemical substances or chemical products, timber, as well as materials containing hazardous chemical substances or chemical products and petrol stations, except pursuant to the spatial plan - in the port territory, as well as structures for the storage of feed-stuff (except hay sheds without complete foundations);

4) to obtain and utilise mineral resources, except the acquisition of underground waters for water supply needs or recreation;

5) to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

6) to move about with mechanical vehicles outside of general utilisation, undertaking and house roads, in beach, forest and agricultural land areas if it is not connected with the management or supervision of such territories;

7) to organise public sport, entertainment or recreation events not co-ordinated with the territorial local government, but if the protection zone is located in a specially protected nature territory - with the administration of this territory;

8) to place special dwelling trailers, any constructions, temporary and folding structures, except elements of beach utilities, outside of the places provided for such purposes in the spatial plan of the territorial local government; and

9) to modify the relief of a dune, to damage and destroy the natural topsoil, except in cases when it is connected with the management of the territory in accordance with nature protection plans in conformity with the spatial plan of the territorial local government.

(4) In addition to that stated in Paragraphs one, two and three of this Section, it is prohibited in the coastal dune protection zone:

1) to perform final felling;

2) to perform transformation of the forestlands without a Cabinet order each time. The procedures of the transformation of the forest lands in the coastal dune protection zone, as well as the procedures for the submission and examination of the transformation application and the permissible amount of forest felling shall be regulated by the Cabinet regulations;

3) make a fire outside of the places arranged for such purpose and the courtyards of houses; and

4) to place tents outside of the places arranged or specified for this purpose without co-ordination with a landowner or legal possessor.

(5) The duty of a local government shall be to provide a possibility for walkers to access beaches and to ensure the installation of the footpaths in the spatial plan and detailed planning (in cities and villages it shall be performed taking into account the existing building and borders of a property, but providing that the paths may not be further than one kilometre from one to another), as well as to provide places for the installation of a parking area for cars (vehicles) in the spatial plan of the territorial local government. If necessary, the local government may specify a limitation of the property for the benefit of the possibility for the public to access beaches in conformity with requirements set out in the spatial plan and detailed planning of the territorial local government, also without the consent of the owner of the immovable property. The landowner has the right to compensation for losses if any have arisen due to the specification of the limitation.

(6) In specially protected nature territories, as well as in the territories of cultural and historical monuments, the movement of walkers shall be regulated by the protection and utilisation regulations of these territories.

(7) If the building of objects of official State infrastructures and engineering and communication systems is foreseen, which are not provided for in the spatial plan of the territorial local government, building in the coastal dune protection zone and beaches shall be permitted only by a Cabinet order each time.

(8) It is prohibited to drive motorboats and jet-skis in swimming places arranged in the sea protection zone if it is not connected with the operation of specialised services, and the management and supervision of these territories. The territorial local government shall determine the specially marked places where driving with jet-skis is allowed.

[19 June 2003]

Section 37. Restrictions in Surface Water Body Protection Zones

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions shall be specified for surface water body protection zones:

1) it is prohibited to place structures for the storage of feed-stuff (except hay sheds), storage facilities of mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricating materials, hazardous chemical substances or chemical products, timber, as well as materials containing hazardous chemical substances or chemical products, except in places intended for such purposes in the spatial plan;

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

3) it is prohibited to perform clear-cut in 50 metres wide zones, except cutting trees for the elimination of consequences of emergency situations and for the elimination of consequences of windthrown, windfall and tree breakage by snow, as well as for the renovation and management of flood-lands meadows. If the protection zone is narrower than 50 metres, clear-cut shall be prohibited in the entire width of the protection zone;

4) the construction of buildings and structures in the territories with probability of flooding at least once in a hundred years is prohibited, except structures for short-term utilisation, small buildings in rural areas and protection structures especially provided for this purpose or the raising the ground level;

5) In addition to that referred to in Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this Section it is prohibited in the 10-metre zone:

a) to locate petrol stations,

b) to build and to locate any buildings and structures, including fences (except for the renovation of cultural monuments, water supply installations, water adjustment installations, as well as other hydrotechnic, bank securing and bridge structures, structures necessary for maritime safety, beaches, piers for boats and motor water vehicles and petrol stations intended for the filling of these vehicles, if the relevant activities have been provided for in the spatial plan of the territorial local government or in the management plan of the water body),

c) to use fertiliser material and chemical plant protection products,

d) to install amelioration buildings without co-ordination with the regional environmental board,

e) to perform main felling, except the cutting of trees for the elimination of consequences of an emergency situation, elimination of the consequences of windthrows, windfall and tree breakage by snow,

f) to obtain and utilise mineral resources, except the acquisition of underground waters for water supply needs or recreation for a dwelling house or building intended for vacationer care located in the protection zone,

g) to wash motor vehicles and agricultural machinery,

h) to perform the transformation of forest lands, if it is not connected with the exceptional cases referred to in Sub-clause "b" of this Clause, and

i) to light fires and place tents outside of the places specified for this purpose without co-ordination with the land owner or legal possessor;

6) it is prohibited to place the obtained ground after the deepening or cleaning of the surface water body in accordance with the procedures set out in regulatory enactments outside of the places provided for such purposes; and

7) it is prohibited to arrange racing tracks and trial places of motor vehicles.

(2) In swimming places arranged in the surface water bodies in accordance with the procedures set out in regulatory enactments it is prohibited to drive with motorboats and jet-skis, if it is not connected with the operation of a specialised services, and the management and supervision of these territories.

(3) The territorial local government shall take a relevant decision regarding the demolition of any illegal fence in the protection zones of surface water bodies. The territorial local government shall perform or organise the demolition of the fence, if the owner or legal possessor, has not demolished the fence within a month after the taking of a decision by the local government.. The expenses connected with demolition shall be covered by the owner or legal possessor of the fence.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 37.¹ Restrictions in the Protection Zones around Marshes

The Law on Forests shall prescribe the restrictions in the protection zones around the marshes as wetlands.

[21 February 2002]

Section 38. Restrictions in Protection Zones (Protection Strips) around Cultural Monuments

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, in protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments the following restrictions shall be specified:

1) economic activity in the protection zones (protection strips) around cultural monuments may only be performed with a permit from the State Inspection for Heritage Protection and the owner of the cultural monument;

2) in the case of selling of the land of the cultural monument and the protection zone thereof owned by one owner, it is prohibited to divide it;

3) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances, timber and storage facilities for other kinds of materials and substances, except in places specially intended and arranged for such purposes;

4) it is prohibited to install waste disposal sites;

5) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to the cultural monument; and

6) it is prohibited to store and to pour out chemically active and substances causing corrosion.

Section 39. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Water-supply Points

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions shall be specified for protection zones around water-supply points:

1) in strict regime protection zones any economic activity is prohibited, except such, which is connected with water extraction in a particular water supply drilling or the maintenance and management of the relevant water extraction and supply objects at the source of the water;

2) an initial environmental impact assessment shall be carried out for exercising the activity intended in the bacteriological protection zone, . If groundwater is utilised as a centralised water-supply (unprotected from surface pollution infiltration) horizon, including the method of artificial supplementation of stocks of underground water, the following restrictions referred to in Paragraph 1 of this Section shall be observed. It is prohibited in the bacteriological protection zone:

a) to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except in places intended for such purposes in the spatial plan;

b) to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

c) to locate petrol stations;

d) to block up service roads and accesses to water supply installations;

e) to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances , fuel and lubrication material;

f) to carry out any kind of acquiring of mineral resources, loading and unloading, dredging work, drawing of soil and detonation works;

g) to store and to pour out chemically active and corrosion causing substances; and

h) to use fertiliser material and chemical plant protection products; and

3) an initial environmental impact assessment shall be carried out for exercising the activity intended in the chemical protection zone.

[21 February 2002]

Section 40. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Health Resorts

[21 February 2002]

Section 41. Restrictions in the Forest Protection Zones around Cities

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, the following restrictions shall be specified in forest protection zones around cities:

1) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except in places intended for such purposes in the spatial plan; and

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps.

[21 February 2002]

Section 42. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Motorways and Railroads

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, in protection zones along motorways and railroads the following restrictions shall be specified:

1) in order to ensure visibility of the motor road and the transport safety of the vehicles, in the protection zones along motorways it is prohibited:

a) in the zone of 30 metres from the edge of the road to fell trees and to place yards of timber without notifying in writing the owner of motorway two weeks before commencement of the felling of trees, as well as to cultivate a forest without co-ordination with the owner of the motorway, and

b) to carry out any building works and extraction of mineral resources without the permission of the owner of the motorway, as well as ground digging and displacement works, except works necessary for agricultural needs; and

2) in protection zones along railroads it is prohibited:

a) to perform activities that will result in the visibility of the railroad being decreased or covering with snow being increased,

b) to perform activities as a result of which the hydrological conditions in the railroad protection zone shall deteriorate or the functioning of the amelioration systems and structures of the protection zone and adjacent to it or crossing it shall be disturbed,

c) to perform any building or ground digging and displacement works without co-ordination with the manager of the railway infrastructure,

d) to establish gas lines along a railway track; and

e) to block up service roads and accesses to the servicing objects of the railway.

[21 February 2002]

Section 43. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Telecommunication Lines

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, besides the draft of works to be fulfilled co-ordinated in writing with the possessor of the telecommunication lines, it is prohibited in protection zones along telecommunication lines:

1) to perform any building, assembly and blasting works, as well as earth works deeper than 0.5 metres and grading with mechanisms;

2) to carry out works of geological and geodesic exploration connected with drillings, taking of earth samples and other similar works;

3) to plant trees, to place field settlements, to keep livestock, to unload materials, feedstuff and fertiliser, to make fires and install shooting grounds;

4) to transport freight which does not conform to the dimensions under overhead telecommunication lines, as well as to arrange parking places for motor vehicles, tractors and mechanisms;

5) to arrange quaysides for ships, barges and floating cranes, to perform loading, unloading, dredging works and drawing of soil, to cast anchors, to cast anchors, chains, sea-gauges, towed nets and trawls, to determine fishing areas, to fish, to collect plants using deepwater tools, to arrange places for the watering of livestock, and to chop and obtain ice;

6) to demolish and to reconstruct buildings and bridges, to rebuild collectors and tunnels, in which the telecommunication cables have been placed or stands, cable boxes and junction boxes of telecommunication lines have been installed (if a builder has not previously replaced the telecommunication lines and equipment after co-ordination with the possessor thereof);

7) to bury or to break measuring poles and danger labels, to place heavy objects on the tracks of underground cable lines (more than 5 tons), to install in the paths outlets for acids, salts and alkali;

8) to open the doors and hatches of unserviceable repeater stations, microwave lines, telecommunication cable-conduit system man-holes, pits, distribution cabinets and cable boxes, as well as persons, who do not service the referred to lines and equipment, shall not be allowed to connect to the telecommunication lines and equipment;

9) to carry out any other activities, which may cause damage to the telecommunication lines and equipment;

10) digging the earth, to utilise crowbars, mattocks, wedges and pneumatic tools; and

11) to cover with earth or building materials the covers of the hatches of telecommunication cable-conduit system man-holes, distribution cabinets, danger labels and measuring poles in the underground cable tracks, as well as to displace the existing telecommunication lines and equipment without previous co-ordination with the possessor thereof.

[19 June 2003]

Section 44. Restrictions in Protection Zones around State Meteorological and Hydrological Observation Stations and Posts and around other Official State Fixed Monitoring Points and Posts

(1) In the protection zones around State meteorological and hydrological observation stations and posts and around other official State fixed monitoring points and posts (except forest monitoring stations) any activity by natural or legal persons is prohibited without co-ordination with the Latvian Hydrometeorological Agency of the Ministry of Environment.

(2) Restrictions for the management of a forest monitoring model site shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 45. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Electricity Networks

(1) The following restrictions shall be determined in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones along electricity networks:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to the objects of the electricity networks;

2) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances;

3) it is prohibited to arrange sports grounds, playground, stadiums, markets, public transport stops, parking-places for machines and mechanisms in protection zones along overhead lines, as well as to perform any events connected with the gathering of people;

4) it is prohibited to perform works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances, fuel and lubrication material, in the protection zones along electricity transmission cable lines;

5) it is prohibited to build, to perform capital repairs, to renovate or to demolish any building and structure without the permission of the owner of the relevant communications;

6) to carry out any kind of extraction of mineral resources, loading and unloading, dredging work, drawing of soil, detonation and amelioration works, as well as to place field settlements and mechanically watered agricultural cultivated plants;

7) it is prohibited to arrange quaysides for ships, barges and floating cranes, to anchor, to go with cast anchors and nets, to determine fishing areas and to fish, to catch marine animals and to obtain marine plants using deepwater tools, as well as to arrange watering places in protection zones along submerged electricity transmission cable lines;

8) it is prohibited to chop ice;

9) it is prohibited to drive with machines and mechanisms, as well as to work with agricultural machinery, the height of which, measuring from the surface of road (ground), shall exceed 4.5 metres;

10) it is prohibited to carry out earthworks deeper than 0.3 metres, but in cultivated soils - deeper than 0.45 metres, as well as to perform ground grading with machinery;

11) it is prohibited to perform works connected with temporary flooding of the land; and

12) it is prohibited to disturb, by any activity, the employees of the energy supply undertaking who are perform maintenance, repair, reconstruction works, accident prevention or elimination of the consequences thereof in accordance with the procedures set out in this Law.

(2) When building irrigation ditches and draining collector ditches, as well as arranging fences and performing other works, the service roads and access roads to the electricity networks and the structures thereof shall be preserved.

(3) Growing of trees and bushes in the routes of electricity networks shall be permitted with the written permission of the owner of electricity network.

(4) Electricity supply undertakings, for which a licence in accordance with the Energy Law is required, shall utilise immovable property for protection zones along electricity networks without compensation for the restriction of the right of use of immovable property specified for the owner, possessor or user of the immovable property.

[21 February 2002]

Section 46. Restrictions in the Protection Zones along Heating Networks

(1) The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones along heating networks:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to heating networks;

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

3) it is prohibited to perform works with impact mechanisms;

4) it is prohibited to store and to pour out chemically active and corrosion causing substances and fuel;

5) it is prohibited to perform works, which may cause flooding of heating networks and an increase of the groundwater level; and

6) it is prohibited in the protection zone of heating networks without prior co-ordination with the owner of heating networks:

a) to build, to make capital repairs, reconstruct or demolish any buildings and structures, as well as any communications,

b) to perform earthworks deeper than 0.3 metres, as well as to perform ground grading with mechanisms, and

c) to perform other works which disturb the servicing of heating networks and may damage them.

(2) Heat supply undertakings shall utilise immovable property for protection zones along heating networks without compensation regarding restriction of the right of use of immovable property determined for the owner, possessor or user of the immovable property.

[21 February 2002]

Section 47. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Land Amelioration Structures and Installations

The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around land amelioration structures and installations:

1) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

2) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to amelioration structures and installations, to make stacks of stones; and

3) to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid and corrosion causing substances, fuel and lubrication material,

[21 February 2002]

Section 48. Restrictions in Protection Zones along Water-pipe and Sewage Networks

The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones along water pipe and sewage networks:

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to the objects of the water pipe and sewage networks;

2) it is prohibited to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid substances and corrosion causing substances, fuel and lubrication material; and

3) it is prohibited to store and to pour out chemically active and corrosion causing substances and fuel.

Section 49. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Geodetic Field Controls

(1) In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around geodetic field controls the following restrictions shall be specified:

1) it is prohibited to place objects, which shall obstruct access to the geodetic field controls and the making of measurements; and

2) it is prohibited to perform construction works if projects have not been co-ordinated with the relevant division of the State Land Service.

(2) The landowner may not forbid the performance of activities in the protection zone, which are necessary in order to ensure:

1) for triangulation and polygonometry stations - visibility to neighbouring stations;

2) for global positioning system stations - undisturbed reception (visibility) of geodesic satellites; and

3) for height points - the possibility to place at least a three metre long levelling bar vertically.

[21 February 2002]

Section 50. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Technical Means of Navigation

The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around technical means of navigation:

1) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except in places intended for such purposes in the spatial plan;

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps; and

3) it is prohibited to construct buildings and structures, to install equipment-disturbing operation of the technical means of navigation.

[21 February 2002]

Section 51. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Dam Safety Determination Control and Measuring Instrumentation

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around dam safety determination control and measuring instrumentation the following restrictions shall be specified:

1) it is prohibited to perform earthworks deeper than 0.5 metres, as well as drilling works and works with impact mechanisms;

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

3) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except in places intended for such purposes in the spatial plan; and

4) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses.

[21 February 2002]

Section 52. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Graveyards

(1) The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around graveyards:

1) it is prohibited to arrange new drinking water-supply points, except in cases when the calculations of the bacteriological protection zone of the possible drinking water-supply point have been made and it is determined, that qualitative drinking water may be ensured observing the methodology for specification of protection zones around water-supply points;

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps, except the sites required for management of graveyards; and

3) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to graveyards.

(2) In addition to the restrictions referred to in this Section, restrictions may be specified in the spatial plan of local governments due to ethical considerations.

[21 February 2002]

Section 53. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Animal Graveyards

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law, in protection zones around animal graveyards it is prohibited to perform works, which may cause flooding and an increase of the ground water level.

Section 54. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Objects of Veterinary Supervision

[21 February 2002]

Section 55. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Waste Disposal Sites, Waste Dumps and Water Treatment Equipment

The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around waste disposal sites, waste dumps and water treatment equipment :

1) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to waste disposal sites, waste dumps and water treatment equipment;

2) it is prohibited to perform works, which may cause flooding or an increase of the groundwater level;

3) it is prohibited to construct new buildings, except where the construction of buildings is connected with waste disposal sites, exploitation of water treatment equipment, the needs of personnel and security guards, laboratories, car parks, communications, power lines, generating installations, petroleum and gas lines, pumping stations and underground reservoirs; and

4) it is prohibited to arrange new drinking water-supply points.

[21 February 2002]

Section 56. Restrictions in Protection Zones around Gas Lines, Gas Warehouses and Storage Sites

(1) The following restrictions shall be specified in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones around gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites:

1) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except in places intended for such purposes in the spatial plan;

2) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

3) it is prohibited to place petrol stations;

4) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to objects of gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites;

5) it is prohibited to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acid substances and corrosion causing substances, fuel and lubrication material, as well as to perform fire and flame works;

f) it is prohibited to carry out the acquisition of mineral resources, loading and unloading, dredging, drawing of soil, detonation and amelioration works;

7) it is prohibited to walk along above-water gas line transitions;

8) motor vehicles are prohibited to stop and stand on motorways in the protection zones around gas lines the pressure in which is more than 1.6 megapascals;

9) it is prohibited to perform works connected with temporary flooding of the land;

10) it is prohibited to arrange quaysides for ships, barges and floating cranes, to go with cast anchors and nets, to determine fishing areas and to fish, to catch marine animals and to obtain marine plants using deepwater tools in the protection zones along underwater gas lines; and

11) it is prohibited without the permission of the owner of the communications:

a) to construct, to make capital repairs or to demolish any buildings and engineering structures;

b) to carry out earthworks deeper than 0.3 metres, but in cultivated soils - deeper than 0.45 metres, as well as to perform ground grading works;

c) to perform geological, geodesic and other research works connected with making of drillings and ground sampling (except soil samples); and

d) to perform other works which disturb the servicing of gas lines and fixtures installed on them or damage them.

(2) Gas supply undertakings, for which a licence is required in accordance with the Energy Law, shall use immovable property for protection zones around gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites without compensation regarding restriction of the right of use of immovable property determined for the owner, possessor or user of the immovable property.

[21 February 2001]

Section 57. Restrictions in Protection Zones around the Lines, Warehouses and Storage Sites and Processing Undertakings of Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Chemical Substances and Products

The following restrictions shall be specified in protection zones around the lines, warehouses and storage sites and processing undertakings of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products in addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 5 of this Law:

1) it is prohibited to place storage facilities of feed-stuff, mineral fertilisers, plant protection products, fuel, lubricating materials, chemical substances or chemical products, timber and storage facilities for other kind of materials and substances, except in places especially provided for the undertaking for such a purpose;

2) it is prohibited to install petrol stations, except those intended for the enterprise;

3) it is prohibited to establish waste disposal sites and waste dumps;

4) it is prohibited to block up service roads and accesses to objects of lines, warehouses and processing undertakings of petroleum, petroleum products and chemical substances and products;

5) it is prohibited to carry out works with impact mechanisms, to drop heavy objects, to throw out and pour out acrid substances and corrosion causing substances, fuel and lubrication material, as well as to perform fire and flame works; and

6) it is prohibited to carry out the acquisition of mineral resources, loading and unloading, dredging, drawing of soil, detonation and amelioration works.

[21 February 2002]

Section 58. Restrictions in Protection Zones in Water Aquatoriums above and below Dams

In addition to the restrictions referred to in Section 35 of this Law in protection zones in water aquatoriums above and below dams the following restrictions shall be specified:

1) it is prohibited to enter with a floating object, as well as to fish from the floating object, as well as from the ice and the shore without the permission of the owner of the dam; and

2) it is prohibited to perform drilling and construction works without an approved project for the performing of works.

[21 February 2002]

Section 59. Methodology for Specification of Protections Zones

(1) The methodology for the specification of protection zones shall be determined by the Cabinet on the basis of the proposals of the relevant State institutions referred to in this Law.

(2) The methodology for the specification of the protection zones shall include:

1) requirements for exploitation and safety of communications and objects;

2) environmental and human protection requirements;

3) the mechanism for the maintenance of protection zones and control of the status thereof;

4) information regarding easements and restrictions connected with the relevant objects, communications and the protection zones thereof; and

5) procedures by which the protection zones shall be installed and marked on site.

Section 60. Writing of Restrictions in the Land Register

The restrictions of property rights, if the protection zone is located on a parcel of land area currently owned, shall be written in the Land Register in accordance with the procedures specified by law.

Chapter VII
Maintenance of Protection Zones and Control of the Status thereof

Section 61. Maintenance of Protection Zones

(1) Protection zones for protection of the environment and natural resources and protection zones around graveyards and along State motorways shall be maintained in order by the land owner or legal possessor at his or her own expense if it is not otherwise provided for in other regulatory enactments.

(2) Protection zones of exploitation, safety and sanitary (except protection zones around graveyards and along State and local government motorways and the zone of the railway land section of the public-use railway infrastructure) shall be maintained in order by the relevant owner of the object or communications at his or her own expense if it is not otherwise provided for in other regulatory enactments.

(3) The duty to maintain in order the protection zones of exploitation, safety and sanitary (except protection zones around graveyards and along State and local government motorways and the zone of the railway land section of the public-use railway infrastructure) in accordance with a mutual agreement may be delegated to the land owner or user.

(4) Procedures by which the protection zones along the streets in cities, villages and other populated areas shall be maintained, shall be determined by the building regulations of parishes and cities.

(5) Trees shall be felled at the expense of the owner of the object upon mutual agreement with the landowner or legal possessor if it is not otherwise provided for in other regulatory enactments. In the case of prevention of an accident or liquidation of the consequences thereof, the owner of the object has the right, before taking out a certification, to fell certain trees along the electricity network and overhead lines of telecommunications and to cut branches, which disturb or actually endanger normal operation of these lines, notifying the State Forestry Service in advance. Persons preventing an accident or eliminating the consequences of an accident have a duty to notify the forest owner or lawful possessor within five working days of the tree felling.

(6) In protection zones along motorways and outer edges of the zone of the railway land section, a mineralised anti-fire zone shall be established not less than 1.5 metres wide and it shall be renewed every year.

(7) Protection zones along motorways and railways, around gas lines, gas warehouses and storage sites, around petroleum and petroleum product lines, warehouses and storage sites shall be maintained in a fireproof state.

(8) A zone of a railway land section included in the protection zones shall be maintained in a fireproof state by the administrator of the public-use railway infrastructure.

[21 February 2002; 19 June 2003]

Section 62. Marking of Protection Zones in Plans

(1) The marking of protection zones in land ownership plans or use plans shall be ensured by the State Land Service through State budgetary funds in accordance with the Law on Land Use and Land Surveys.

(2) The marking of protection zones on maps of administrative territorial units shall be performed by the State Land Service.

Section 63. Installation and Marking on site of Protection Zones

If necessary, protection zones shall be marked on site using special signs specified in the methodology for the specification of protection zones.

[21 February 2002]

Section 64. Control of the Status of Protection Zones

(1) Within their competence the control of the status of protection zones shall be performed by:

1) local governments;

2) the ministries under which jurisdiction they are and the institutions subordinate to or supervised by them; and

3) the owner or user of the relevant object or communication.

(2) Procedures by which protection zones along streets in cities, villages and other populated areas shall be controlled, shall be determined by the building regulations of parishes and cities.

[21 February 2002]

Section 65. Liability for Violation of this Law

(1) Legal persons and natural persons, who have violated this Law, shall be held liable in accordance with the law and other regulatory enactments.

(2) Persons subject to administrative, criminal or disciplinary liability shall not be released from the duty to perform regeneration works or, if regeneration is not possible, to compensate for losses caused.

Section 66. International Treaties and Agreements Regarding Protection Zones

[21 February 2002]

Chapter VIII
Final Provision

[19 June 2003]

Section 67. Approval of the Borders of Villages

The borders of villages in the Baltic sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone shall be approved by the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Matters after co-ordination with the Ministry of Environment, based on a proposal of the local government in the draft spatial of the territorial local government.

Transitional Provisions

1. With the coming into force of this Law, Cabinet:

1) Regulation No. 324 On Protection Zones (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1996, No. 20);

2) Regulation No. 216 On Restriction of the Right of Use of Immovable Property with External Objects of Energy Supply Undertakings (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1995, No. 17);

3) Regulation No. 94, Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 216 of 18 July 1995 On Restriction of the Right of Use of Immovable Property with External Objects of Energy Supply Undertakings (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1996, No. 10);

4) Regulation No. 22, Amendments to Cabinet Regulation No. 216 of 18 July 1995 On Restriction of the Right of Use of Immovable Property with External Objects of Energy Supply Undertakings (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1997, No. 22) issued in accordance with Article 81 of the Constitution, is repealed.

2. By the 1 July 2004, the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Matters after co-ordination with the Ministry of Environment, based on the proposal to the spatial plan of the territorial local government submitted by the local government, shall approve the borders of villages for those villages, the borders of which have been determined in the spatial plan of the territorial local government up to the coming into force of Section 67 of this Law.

[19 June 2003]

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 5 February 1997.

President G. Ulmanis

Rīga, 25 February 1997

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2005 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)