The Saeima ¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

On Environmental Impact Assessment

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Terms Used in the Law

The following terms are used in the Law:

1) environmental impact - direct or indirect changes in the environment caused by the implementation of an intended activity or a planning document which have an impact or may have an impact on a human being, the health and safety thereof, and also biological diversity (specially protected species and their habitats, specially protected biotopes and biotopes of European Union significance), soil, subterranean depths, water, air, climate, landscape, material values, cultural and natural heritage, being subjected potentially to the risks of accidents or disasters, and the interaction of all abovementioned areas;

2) environmental impact assessment (hereinafter also - the impact assessment) - the procedure to be performed in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law to assess the possible impact of the implementation of intended activities or a planning document on the environment and to develop proposals for the prevention or decrease of negative effects or to prohibit the initiation of an intended activity in cases of the violation of the requirements laid down in laws and regulations;

2¹) initial impact assessment (hereinafter also - the initial assessment) - the procedure to be performed in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law for an intended activity which may have a substantial impact on the environment in order to assess the significance of the potential negative impact of such activity and to decide on the application of impact assessment;

3) intended activity - the introduction, supplement, or change of an equipment, facility, and technology, implementation of projects, construction, the extraction or use of natural resources, the impact of human activities in natural or little transformed territories and landscapes, and also other activities the performance or outcome of which may have a substantial impact on the environment;

4) initiator - a private individual, a derived public entity, and an institution of direct or indirect administration which is preparing to perform an intended activity and has submitted a submission to the State Environmental Service or the State Environmental Monitoring Bureau for the performance of the relevant activity;

5) transboundary impact - any impact caused by an intended activity in a territory which is subject to the jurisdiction of the affected country if the physical cause of this impact is fully or partially located in a territory which is under the jurisdiction of Latvia or another country;

6) strategic environmental impact assessment (hereinafter also - the strategic assessment) - an environmental impact assessment for a planning document the implementation of which may have a substantial impact on the environment, and also the preparation and discussing of an environmental review, the involving of the public in the discussion of the environmental review and the organisation of consultations, the taking into account of the results of the environmental review and the discussion thereof in the preparation of the planning document and the use thereof for taking decisions, and also the provision of information on the decision taken in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law;

7) environmental review - a separate chapter in a strategy, plan, programme, concept or other type of planning document (hereinafter - the planning documents) to which the provisions of this Law apply, or a separate document which determines, describes, and assesses impact of the implementation of the relevant document, and also of possible alternatives, on the environment, taking into account the goals, intended location of implementation and the area of activities of the planning document.

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 7 June 2007; 10 June 2010; 5 June 2014; 23 November 2016; 17 May 2018]

Section 2. Purpose of the Law

The purpose of the Law is to prevent or reduce the unfavourable environmental impact caused by the implementation of intended activities by natural and legal persons or planning documents.

[19 June 2003]

Section 3. Principles of Impact Assessment

Impact assessment shall be carried out in accordance with the following principles:

1) impact assessment shall be carried out in as early a stage as possible of the planning, designing and taking of decisions of an intended activity;

2) impact assessment shall be carried out on the basis of the information provided by the initiator and the information which has been obtained from the concerned State authorities and local governments, and also during the participation process of the public including from the proposals submitted by the public;

3) [15 September 2005];

4) the public - natural persons and legal persons, and also associations, organisations, and groups thereof (hereinafter - the public) have the right to obtain information on intended activities and to participate in impact assessment;

4¹) an initiator shall ensure public discussion of the impact assessment of an intended activity at a publicly accessible place and time;

5) the addressing of environmental problems shall be initiated before complete scientific evidence regarding the unfavourable impact of the intended activity on the environment has been received. If there is cause for suspicion that an intended activity may have an unfavourable impact on the environment, precautionary measures must be implemented;

6) assessment shall be carried out by taking into account the principle of sustainable development, the "the polluter pays" principle, and the precautionary and evaluation principle;

7) it is prohibited to divide the intended activity which has or may have substantial impact on the environment into several activities because thus the joint impact of the intended activity is not assessed properly;

8) the initiator of the intended activity, in order to prevent a conflict of interest, may not take the decision to accept the intended activity.

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 15 September 2005; 10 June 2010; 5 June 2014; 17 May 2018]

Section 3.¹ Time Limits for the Impact Assessment Process

[10 June 2010 / Amendment regarding the deletion of the Section shall come into force on 1 January 2011. See Paragraph 14 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 3.² Necessity of Initial Assessment

(1) Initial assessment shall be required:

1) for the intended activities referred to in Annex 2 to this Law;

2) for the intended activities which may have substantial impact on the territories referred to in Section 4.¹ of this Law;

3) for changes in the existing activities:

a) if changes conform to the limit values referred to in Annex 2 to this Law;

b) if as a result of changes the limit values referred to in Annex 2 to this Law are reached or exceeded and the extent of changes is 25 per cent of the abovementioned limit value or more;

c) if other changes in the accepted, current or completed activities which are related to the objects referred to in Annexes 1 and 2 to this Law may cause substantial unfavourable impact on the environment;

4) for several similar intended activities which affect the same territory and as a result of changes in which the limit values referred to in Annex 1 or 2 to this Law will be achieved in sum total;

5) for other intended activities which may have substantial impact on the environment, taking into account the criteria referred to in Section 11 of this Law.

(2) When evaluating the extent of changes in activities in accordance with Paragraph one, Clause 3 of this Section, the sum of changes planned and made during the last five years or the sum of planned changes which have been made since completing the previous initial assessment shall be taken into account.

[5 June 2014]

Section 4. Necessity of Impact Assessment

(1) Impact assessment shall be required:

1) for intended activities which are related to the objects referred to in Annex 1 to this Law;

2) for intended activities according to the initial assessment;

3) for intended activities according to international agreements entered into by the Republic of Latvia;

4) for intended activities if several intended activities have an impact on the same territory, taking into account the joint and reciprocal impact of such activities;

5) for changes in the existing activities:

a) if changes conform to the border values referred to in Annex 1 to this Law;

b) if as a result of changes the border values referred to in Annex 1 to this Law are reached or exceeded;

c) if changes are intended for the object referred to in Annex 1 to this Law for which the impact assessment has not been carried out hitherto and the amount of changes is 50 per cent of the limit value referred to in Annex 1 to this Law.

(2) [5 June 2014]

(2¹) [5 June 2014]

(3) A strategic assessment shall, in accordance with laws and regulations or other provisions, be carried out for planning documents, and also for such documents related to the use of European Union co-financing and the amendments thereof if the relevant planning documents are developed or adopted by the Saeima, the Cabinet, a local government, a State local government authority, another derived public entity or another entity to which the State administration task or management of the State property is delegated:

1) in the area of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry, transport, waste management, management of water resources, telecommunications, tourism, extraction of mineral resources and for the planning documents which are related to regional development, land use, territorial planning and include the basic requirements for the implementation of the intended activities provided for in Annex 1 or 2 to this Law;

2) which may have a substantial impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), except for the planning documents which determine the requirements for nature protection and management and the measures in relation to such territories.

(4) Strategic assessment shall be carried out for planning documents in areas which are not referred to in Paragraph three, Clause 1 of this Section if they include the basic requirements for the implementation of intended activities and the implementation of planning documents may have a substantial impact on the environment.

(5) Strategic assessment of the planning documents referred to in Paragraph three of this Section which are related to the use of small territories on the local government level, and also for small amendments of the planning documents referred to in Paragraph three of this Section shall not be carried out, except when the implementation of such documents may have a substantial impact on the environment.

(6) The provisions of this Law shall not apply to:

1) planning documents which are exclusively related to national defence;

2) planning documents which are exclusively related to emergency situations;

3) planning documents in the area of finances or the budget.

(7) The Cabinet need not, by issuing an individual order, apply the impact assessment to an intended activity which is related to the national defence if the application of the impact assessment procedures may undesirably influence the achievement of the goals of the intended activity.

(8) The initial assessment and environmental impact assessment shall not be applied to the construction of the infrastructure of military training areas, except in the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000).

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 7 June 2007; 10 June 2010; 5 June 2014; 22 June 2023]

Section 4.¹ Activities in Protected Nature Territories of European Significance (Natura 2000)

(1) If such activity is intended the implementation of which according to the decision of the State Environmental Service may have a substantial impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) but which is not referred to in Annex 1 to this Law and for the implementation of which the impact assessment need not be carried out in accordance with Section 14.¹ of this Law, its impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) shall be assessed in accordance with the procedures laid down separately.

(2) The separate procedures referred to in Paragraph one of this Section for assessing the impact of the intended activity on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) If an impact assessment is carried out for the intended activity and the implementation of such activity may significantly affect the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), an assessment shall be carried out of the impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) and the assessment report shall be included in an environmental impact assessment report (hereinafter - the report) in accordance with the procedures laid down in the laws and regulations regarding impact assessment.

[15 September 2005; 7 June 2007; 10 June 2010; 5 June 2014; 23 November 2016]

Section 5. Financing of Impact Assessment

The initiator of an intended activity shall finance the environmental impact assessment and initial impact assessment. Strategic environmental impact assessment shall be financed by the developer of a planning document (hereinafter - the developer). In respect of the initial impact assessment, the initiator of an intended activity shall pay a State fee in the amount and according to the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

[19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 7 June 2007 / See Transitional Provisions]

Section 6. Coordination and Monitoring of the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Initial Impact Assessment

(1) In accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, the environmental impact assessment shall be coordinated and monitored by the State Environmental Monitoring Bureau (hereinafter - the competent authority).

(2) In accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law, the initial impact assessment shall be coordinated and monitored by the State Environmental Service.

[23 November 2016]

Section 6.¹ Time Limits for the Impact Assessment Process

(1) The State Environmental Service shall, within a month from receipt of a submission, carry out the initial impact assessment and decide on the application or non-application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity.

(2) The competent authority shall take the decision on the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity within a month from the receipt of a submission.

(3) The competent authority shall issue an impact assessment programme (hereinafter - the programme) within 30 days after receipt of the request. If the competent authority requires information from the initiator, it shall extend the time limit for issuing the programme for the period within which the initiator has provided the information.

(4) The competent authority shall issue an opinion on the report within 60 days after receipt of the report. If the competent authority requests information from an initiator in accordance with Section 20, Paragraph two of this Law, the time limit for the provision of the opinion shall be extended for the period within which the initiator has provided the information. If necessary, the competent authority may extend the time limit for the provision of the opinion in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law, but for not more than one month.

(5) If for the implementation of the intended activity in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories it is necessary to obtain an opinion from the European Commission, the competent authority shall provide the opinion within 45 days after receipt of the European Commission opinion.

(6) The relevant State authority, local government, or another authority specified in the law shall take the decision to accept the intended activity within 60 days after receipt of the documents of the initiator referred to in Section 22, Paragraph one of this Law.

[10 June 2010; 5 June 2014; 23 November 2016]

Chapter II
Proposal of an Intended Activity

Section 7. Proposal of an Intended Activity to the Competent Authority

(1) The initiator shall propose the intended activity referred to in Section 4, Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 3, 4, and 5 of this Law to the competent authority by submitting a written submission in which at least two different solutions for the location of the intended activity or the types of technologies to be used are indicated.

(2) If the intended activity may have a substantial impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), the initiator shall indicate in the proposal all the possible solutions for the location of the intended activity and the types of technologies to be used.

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 5 June 2014]

Section 8. Proposal of an Intended Activity to the State Environmental Service

(1) The initiator shall propose the intended activity referred to in Section 3.², Paragraph one of this Law to the State Environmental Service by submitting a written submission in which at least two different solutions for the location of the intended activity or the types of technologies to be used are indicated.

(2) If the intended activity may have a substantial impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), the initiator shall indicate in the submission all the possible solutions for the location of such activity and the types of technologies to be used.

[5 June 2014]

Section 8.¹ [5 June 2014]

Section 9. Content of an Intended Activity Submission

The Cabinet shall determine the content of an intended activity submission.

[19 June 2003; 26 February 2004]

Chapter III
Initial Assessment of the Impact of an Intended Activity

Section 10. Intended Activities for which an Initial Impact Assessment is Required

In accordance with Section 8 of this Law, an initial assessment shall be carried out for the intended activities proposed to the State Environmental Service in order to determine, on the basis of the criteria referred to in Section 11 of this Law, whether the relevant intended activities require an impact assessment.

[5 June 2014]

Section 11. Criteria for the Assessment of the Impact of an Intended Activity on the Environment

(1) The factors characterising the intended activity shall be as follows:

1) the scope and technical solutions;

2) the mutual and joint impact of the intended activities and other activities;

3) the use of natural resources, particularly subterranean depths, soil, water, and biological diversity;

4) the occurrence of waste;

5) pollution and disturbances;

6) substantial risk of accidents or disasters related to the intended activity, also such risk which may be caused by the climate change that are justified by scientific knowledge;

7) human health risks (for example, a risk caused by water or air pollution).

(2) The factors characterising the location of the intended activity and the geographical properties of such location shall be as follows:

1) the current and approved type of use of the territory and functional zoning;

2) the relative quantity, availability, and sufficiency, quality and possibilities for the renewal of natural resources [including soil, subterranean depths, water, and biological diversity (particularly taking into account the protected species, their habitats, specially protected biotopes and biotopes of European Union significance)] in the relevant territory;

3) the absorptive capacity of the natural environment to be evaluated by paying particular attention to:

a) wetlands, protective zones of surface water bodies, and river mouths of international significance;

b) the coastal protection zone and marine environment of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Riga;

c) territories covered in forest;

d) specially protected nature territories and micro-reserves;

e) protection zones around underground water abstraction points;

f) territories in which the level of pollution is higher or, as it was established earlier, was higher than provided for in the environmental quality standards and in which such non-conformity is possible;

g) densely populated territories;

h) landscapes and sites of historical, archaeological, and cultural and historical significance.

(3) The possible environmental impact of the intended activity shall be assessed in accordance with the criteria specified in Paragraphs one and two of this Section and taking into account the intended activities:

1) the amount and spatial spreading of the impact (the size of the territory subject to the possible impact and the number of exposed inhabitants);

2) the nature and possible transboundary effect of the impact;

3) the intensity and complexity of the impact;

4) the probability of the impact;

5) the planned beginning, duration, frequency, and reversibility of the impact;

6) the mutual and joint impact on other current or approved intended activities which affect the same territory;

7) the possibility of reducing the intended environmental impact in a wholesome manner.

[17 May 2018]

Section 12. Procedures for Carrying Out the Initial Assessment

(1) The initial assessment shall be carried out by the State Environmental Service.

(2) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the initial assessment shall be carried out.

(3) The State Environmental Service shall take the decision to refuse to carry out the initial assessment if the intended activity is prohibited by laws and regulations, except in the following cases:

1) the intended activity does not conform to the spatial plan or detailed plan of the local government;

2) the Cabinet has issued an order in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories regarding the fact that the intended activity is necessary to satisfy interests of importance to the public.

(4) The State Environmental Service shall take the decision to discontinue the initial assessment if, during the initial assessment, it establishes that the intended activity is prohibited by laws and regulations, except in the following cases:

1) the intended activity does not conform to the spatial plan or detailed plan of the local government;

2) the Cabinet has issued an order in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories regarding the fact that the intended activity is necessary to satisfy interests of importance to the public.

(5) The decision of the State Environmental Service by which it refuses to carry out or discontinues the initial assessment if the intended activity is prohibited by laws and regulations may be contested to the competent authority. The decision of the competent authority may be appealed to a court.

[5 June 2014 / The new wording of Section shall come into force on 1 January 2015. See Paragraph 17 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 13. Result of the Initial Assessment

(1) The State Environmental Service shall, in conformity with the result of the initial assessment, decide on the application or non-application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity.

(2) If the decision not to apply the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity has been taken, the State Environmental Service shall issue technical provisions in relation to each particular intended activity. The technical provisions shall be issued also in other cases which are indicated in the Cabinet regulations referred to in Paragraph four of this Section.

(3) The State Environmental Service may amend the environmental protection requirements throughout the operation of technical provisions in the cases stipulated by the Cabinet.

(4) The Cabinet shall determine the intended activities for the performance of which the technical provisions are required, the requirements in relation to the content of technical provisions, the procedures for the requesting and preparation thereof.

(5) A State fee shall be paid for the issuing of technical provisions. The amount of the fee, reliefs, and the procedures for the payment thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[5 June 2014; 30 November 2015; 23 November 2016]

Chapter IV
Procedures for Carrying Out the Impact Assessment

Section 14. Consultations with a Local Government Regarding the Intended Activity Before Carrying Out the Impact Assessment

(1) Before carrying out the impact assessment of the intended activity, the initiator shall consult with the local government regarding the possibilities of implementing the intended activity in the territory of the local government. Consultations with the local government are not necessary for intended activities which are related to the construction of transport and electronic communications networks and structures for transmission of energy or in relation to which the Cabinet has taken the decision on permission to initiate the activity (acceptance of the intended activity).

(2) The local government shall assess the possibilities of implementing the intended activity in its territory and, within 15 days after receipt of a written submission of the initiator, shall send its opinion thereto on the conformity of the intended activity with the spatial development planning documents of the local government.

[5 June 2014]

Section 14.¹ Approval of the Necessity of the Impact Assessment

(1) The State Environmental Service shall notify in writing the decision on the application or non-application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity to the initiator, the concerned State authorities, the local government in the territory of which the intended activity is planned, and another authority specified in the Law, and also shall publish an announcement on the application or non-application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity on the website thereof. The decision on the necessity for the environmental impact assessment shall also be sent to the competent authority, and it shall publish an announcement on its website on the application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity. The competent authority shall inform the initiator of the intended activity and the relevant local government as to whether it is necessary to organise a meeting of the initial public discussion and of the conditions for the issuing of the programme.

(1¹) The competent authority shall notify, in writing, the decision on the application of the environmental impact assessment to the intended activity which has been applied in accordance with Section 7, Paragraph one of this Law to the initiator and the interested State authorities, the local government in the territory of which the intended activity is planned, and another authority specified in the Law, and also shall publish an announcement on its website on the necessity of the environmental impact assessment.

(2) The decision of the State Environmental Service on the application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity may be contested to the competent authority. The decision of the competent authority may be appealed to the court in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Administrative Procedure Law.

(3) [23 November 2016]

(4) The competent authority shall take the decision to refuse to perform an impact assessment, if the intended activity is prohibited by laws and regulations, except for the following cases:

1) the intended activity does not conform to the spatial plan or detailed plan of the local government;

2) the Cabinet has issued an order in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories regarding the fact that the intended activity is necessary to satisfy interests of importance to the public.

(5) The competent authority shall take the decision to discontinue the impact assessment, if upon performing the impact assessment it determines that the intended activity is prohibited by laws and regulations, except the following cases:

1) the intended activity does not conform to the spatial plan or detailed plan of the local government;

2) the Cabinet has issued an order in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories regarding the fact that the intended activity is necessary to satisfy interests of importance to the public.

(6) The decision of the competent authority referred to in Paragraphs four and five of this Section may be appealed to the court.

(7) The competent authority itself or upon request of the initiator may take the decision that the intended activities to which the impact assessment has been applied and which cause an impact on the same territory and are similar shall be evaluated in a combined procedure.

(8) In a decision on combined procedure of an impact assessment the competent authority shall determine that the following shall be combined during the impact assessment:

1) initial public discussion;

2) preparation of the impact assessment report;

3) public discussion.

[5 June 2014; 23 November 2016; 17 May 2018]

Section 14.² Impact Assessment Process

The stages for the impact assessment process of the intended activity shall be as follows: the initial public discussion of the intended activity, the development of the programme, the preparation and public discussion of the impact assessment report, the opinion of the competent authority on the abovementioned report, and the decision to accept the intended activity in which the opinion of the competent authority is integrated.

[17 May 2018]

Section 15. Initial Public Discussion of the Impact Assessment of an Intended Activity

(1) If a decision of the State Environmental Service or the competent authority has been received that an impact assessment of the intended activity is to be performed, the initiator shall publish an announcement regarding the intended activity and the possibility of the public to submit written proposals regarding the possible impact of such activity on the environment in at least one newspaper issued by a local government or another local newspaper, and also shall inform individually the owners (possessors) of immovable properties which are located next to the territory of the intended activity. The initiator shall submit the abovementioned announcement in the electronic form for the placement on the website to the competent authority and local government in the administrative territory of which the intended activity is planned.

(2) Upon a written request of the competent authority or the local government in the administrative territory of which the intended activity is planned, the initiator shall ensure an initial public discussion of the impact assessment of the intended activity. The initiator may organise the initial public discussion upon his or her own initiative. Any person is entitled to participate in such discussion and to make his or her proposals.

(3) Initial public discussion of an intended activity, and also of an impact assessment of construction shall take place in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

(4) [10 June 2010]

[19 June 2003; 10 June 2010; 23 November 2016; 17 May 2018]

Section 16. Development of a Programme

(1) Upon written request of the initiator, the competent authority shall develop and send to the initiator the programme which includes the requirements for the amount and level of detail of information, and also the aggregate of the research and organisational measures required for further implementation of the impact assessment.

(2) The programme shall be developed on the basis of the submission of an intended activity, the initial assessment thereof, if such has taken place, the results of an initial public discussion, and also taking into account the proposals of the public and the information provided by the concerned State authorities, local governments, and other authorities specified in law. The minimum requirements for the content of the programme and the procedures for the elaboration thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(3) When developing the programme, the competent authority has the right to invite experts, and also to request additional information from the initiator.

(4) The programme shall be in effect for five years. The initiator shall make a repeated request to issue the programme, if the period of validity thereof has expired, but the report referred to in Section 17 of this Law has not been submitted to the competent authority.

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 10 June 2010; 17 May 2018]

Section 17. Impact Assessment Report, the Preparation and Public Discussion Thereof

(1) On the basis of a programme, the initiator shall prepare the report in accordance with Paragraph three of this Section and publish such report and announcement on its own website or website of the duly authorised person regarding the possibility of the public to become acquainted with the abovementioned report and the documents related thereto, to submit written proposals and participate in the public discussion, and also shall publish the announcement in at least one newspaper issued by a local government or another local newspaper. The initiator shall ensure availability of the report to the public.

(1¹) The report referred to in Paragraph one of this Section shall be developed by specialists with appropriate education. When issuing the programme, the competent authority shall indicate the minimum requirements for the academic or higher vocational education which is required for the preparation of impact assessment of the intended activity to be included in the report. The report shall include a list of such specialists (indicating education) who have prepared the impact assessments of the intended activity.

(2) The initiator shall submit the report and announcement in a printed form and electronically to the relevant local government that ensures the publishing of the announcement on the website thereof and availability of the report to the public. The initiator shall submit the announcement electronically to the competent authority which publishes it on the website thereof, providing also a link to the website of the initiator where the report is available.

(3) Taking into account the specific characteristics of the particular intended activity and the environmental fields which may be affected, the environmental impact of the intended activity shall be determined, characterised, and evaluated in the report. The report shall provide information on:

1) the intended activity, the location where it takes place, and the amount, and also the possible and commensurate alternatives in relation to the location of the intended activity or the types of technologies to be used (also on the refusal from the intended activity);

2) the intended activity, the location where it takes place, and the amount, and also the possible and commensurate alternatives in relation to the location of the intended activity and the types of technologies to be used (also on the refusal from the intended activity), if such activity could have a substantial impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000);

3) the possible impact of the intended activity and the solutions referred to in the Clauses 1 and 2 of this Paragraph on the environment, including on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000);

4) the technological and other solutions which are intended to prevent, preclude, or reduce and, if possible, compensate the negative impact of the intended activity on the environment;

5) the intended compensatory measures if such are to be determined in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories;

5¹) the evaluated alternatives which conform to the intended activity and its specific characteristics and the justification of the alternative selected;

6) the result of the public discussion by appending a report on public participation measures and proposals submitted by the public and specifying how the submitted proposals are taken into account.

(4) The public has the right to send to an initiator and competent authority written proposals or opinions on the report within 30 days following the publishing of the announcement referred to in Paragraph one of this Section in the newspaper. The initiator shall organise a public discussion at least seven days after the publishing of the announcement in the newspaper and not later than 10 days before the expiry of the time limit specified for the submission of proposals of the public.

(5) The content of the report and procedures for the preparation thereof, and also the procedures by which the public shall be informed of the report and procedures for the publishing of the announcement shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(6) The initiator has the obligation to ascertain the opinion of the public, promoting the participation of a representative part of the population who may be influenced by an intended activity in a public discussion or to poll this part of the population.

(7) The initiator shall, upon assessing the proposals submitted by the public and the results of the public discussion, clarify the report by including the report on public participation measures and proposals submitted by the public therein and specifying how the submitted proposals are taken into account. The initiator shall submit this report together with the copies of written proposals of the public in a printed form and electronically to the competent authority, and also publish the report on its website.

(8) If, during the preparation of the report, the initiator decides to refuse from an intended activity, he or she shall immediately submit an announcement on his or her decision (in a printed form and electronically) to the local government in the administrative territory of which the intended activity is planned, and to the competent authority which publishes the announcement of the initiator on its website.

[10 June 2010; 17 May 2018]

Section 18. Opinion on a Draft Report

[10 June 2010 / Amendment regarding the deletion of the Section shall come into force on 1 January 2011. See Paragraph 14 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 19. Final Environmental Impact Report

[10 June 2010 / Amendment regarding the deletion of the Section shall come into force on 1 January 2011. See Paragraph 14 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 20. Opinion on the Report

(1) The competent authority shall assess the report and provide an opinion thereon.

(2) The competent authority may invite experts for the preparation of the opinion and send the report for the assessment to State authorities in compliance with their competence, and also, if necessary, request additional information from the initiator.

(3) Until preparation of the opinion, the competent authority shall provide written proposals for the elimination of deficiencies in the report. The initiator shall ensure the availability of the current version of the report on his or her own website or website of the duly authorised person and send the announcement on the updated report to the local government electronically for publishing on the website thereof.

(4) If the report does not correspond to the programme, requirements of laws and regulations or written proposals of a competent authority have not been taken into account in respect of the report, or the public has not been informed, or a public discussion has not taken place in accordance with the requirements of this law and other laws and regulations, the competent authority shall send the report to the initiator for revision, indicating the deficiencies to be eliminated, and also, if necessary, shall entrust the initiator with ensuring that information is provided to the public and a public discussion.

(5) The Cabinet shall determine the procedures by which the competent authority shall send the report to the initiator for revision and provide opinion on the report.

(6) The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall prepare an informative report and draft Cabinet order for submission to the Cabinet for taking a decision in the following cases:

1) if, according to the report submitted by the initiator, the intended activity will have a negative impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), but the intended activity is the only solution to satisfy important societal interests, also social or economic interests;

2) if, according to the report submitted by the initiator, the intended activity will have a negative impact on the priority species and biotopes of the European Union in protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), but the intended activity is the only solution and necessary for the satisfaction of the safeguarding of public health, public safety or environmental protection interests or other interests of special importance to the public.

(7) The Cabinet shall determine the requirements for the informative report referred to in Paragraph six of this Section.

(8) If the intended activity will have a negative impact on the priority species and biotopes of the European Union in protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) and, in accordance with the Cabinet decision, the intended activity is the only solution and necessary to satisfy other especially important societal interests, the competent authority shall send the information to the European Commission in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories for the receipt of an opinion. The competent authority shall inform the European Commission of other cases referred to in Paragraph six of this Section and application of compensatory measures in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories.

(9) The competent authority shall send the opinion on the report to the initiator, the State authorities involved in the impact assessment, another authority specified in law, and local governments (in a printed form and electronically) which shall publish it on their website. The competent authority shall publish the opinion on the report on its website and publish in at least one newspaper issued by the local government or in another local newspaper an announcement that the opinion on the report has been provided, and also shall inform of the possibility to become acquainted with the abovementioned opinion and report.

(10) The competent authority shall, if necessary, specify in the opinion on the report the provisions according to which the intended activity is to be implemented or not permissible. The conditions may also include the requirements for the environmental impact monitoring.

(11) The opinion on the report shall be in effect for three years. If tan intended activity is not accepted by the time limit referred to in Section 21 of this Law, a new impact assessment shall be carried out.

[10 June 2010; 16 December 2010; 17 May 2018]

Section 20.¹ Intended Activities which may have a Transboundary Impact

(1) If the competent authority indicates in the decision on the necessity of the impact assessment that an intended activity may have a substantial transboundary impact, it shall notify the initiator, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also the concerned State authorities and local governments thereof in writing.

(2) After agreeing thereupon with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the competent authority shall send a written notification on an intended activity which may have transboundary impact to the country on which the intended activity may have an impact, before the initiator informs the Latvian public of the intended activity in accordance with Section 15, Paragraph one of this Law.

(3) A notification shall provide the following information:

1) the application of the intended activity;

2) any information available on the intended activity which may have transboundary impact;

3) information on the possible decision;

4) the time limit and location where the country may provide an answer, indicating if it intends to participate in the impact assessment.

(4) When the competent authority has received a written request from any country in which an intended activity may have a substantial impact, it shall send the notification referred to in Paragraph three of this Section to this country before the initiator informs the Latvian public of the intended activity in accordance with Section 15, Paragraph one of this Law.

(5) If a country which has received the notification referred to in Paragraph three of this Section provides an answer by the time limit indicated therein that it has decided to participate in the impact assessment, the competent authority shall send it the programme, report and information on the procedures for the impact assessment.

(6) In cooperation with the competent authority of the country which has decided to participate in the impact assessment, the competent authority shall ensure the procedures by which the concerned authorities and the public of the affected country may become acquainted with the information referred to in Paragraphs three and five of this Section and submit proposals to the competent authority before it provides an opinion on the report. The time limit for the submission of proposals shall be determined not shorter than 30 days from the day when the concerned authority of the affected country has been sent a written notification or the programme, report, and information on the procedures for carrying out the impact assessment.

(6¹) If the intended activity is planned to be implemented outside a territory under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Latvia and it may have a substantial impact on the environment of Latvia, the competent authority shall, within 14 days after the information specified in Paragraph three or five of this Law has been received from the competent authority of the relevant country, publish an announcement on this fact on the website thereof and publish such announcement in at least one local newspaper.

(6²) The announcement of the competent authority shall indicate the place where the public and concerned authorities may acquire information on the intended activity and its transboundary impact, and also information on time limit by which written proposals may be submitted to the competent authority. The competent authority shall send the announcement to such authorities and organisations with which it is necessary to consult regarding the programme and reports.

(6³) The competent authority shall compile the proposals submitted by the public and concerned authorities and send them to the competent authority of the relevant country.

(7) The competent authority shall consult with the competent authority of the country which has decided to participate in the impact assessment regarding the possible transboundary impact of an intended activity, regarding the activities for preventing or reducing the negative impact, and also regarding the time limit necessary for consultations.

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 7 June 2007; 10 June 2010; 16 December 2010; 17 May 2018]

Chapter V
Acceptance of an Intended Activity

Section 21. Concept of the Acceptance of an Intended Activity

(1) The acceptance of an intended activity is a decision taken by a relevant State authority, local government, other authorities specified in law or by the Cabinet on the permission to commence an intended activity in accordance with the procedures laid down in this Law and other laws and regulations.

(2) If, according to the report, the impact of an intended activity on the environment or human health may affect a territory which is larger than the territory of the relevant local government, and the relevant local government has accepted the intended activity, the Cabinet shall take the final decision on the intended activity on the basis of a proposal of the local government in whose territory such activity may have an impact.

[15 September 2005; 10 June 2010 / Amendments to Paragraph two shall come into force on 1 January 2011. See Paragraph 14 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 22. Acceptance of an Intended Activity

(1) In order to receive the permission to commence an intended activity, the initiator shall submit a submission, report and an opinion of the competent authority on the report to the relevant State authority, local government, or another authority specified in law together with the documents specified in other laws and regulations.

(2) After comprehensive evaluation of the report, opinion of a local government and the public and taking into account the opinion of the competent authority on the report, the relevant State authority, local government, or another authority specified in law shall take the decision to accept or not accept an intended activity in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations.

(2¹) If the decision to accept an intended activity has been taken, it shall be implemented in conformity with the conditions brought forward in accordance with Section 20, Paragraph ten of this Law.

(3) Where an intended activity is planned to be carried out in the territory of several local governments, it shall be considered as accepted if the decision to accept this activity has been taken by all relevant local governments. If an intended activity which is related to the construction of transport and electronic communications networks and structures for the transmission of energy is intended to be carried out in the territory of several local governments and the local governments have accepted different solutions for the location of the intended activity, the final decision shall be taken by the Cabinet.

(4) If an intended activity has transboundary impact, the relevant State authority, local government, or another institution specified in law shall take into account the opinion of the concerned authorities and the public of the affected country, and also the results of consultations, when deciding to accept or not accept the intended activity.

(5) The decision to accept or not accept an intended activity in internal marine waters, the territorial sea of the Republic of Latvia or in the exclusive economic zone shall be taken by the Cabinet.

(6) The intended activity shall be accepted in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

[10 June 2010; 5 June 2014; 17 May 2018]

Section 23. Provision of Information on a Decision Taken

(1) The relevant State authority, local government, or another authority specified in law shall send the decision taken to the initiator and the competent authority.

(2) The relevant State authority, local government, or another authority specified in law shall, within three days after taking the decision, publish it on its website (if such exists) and, within five working days, shall send it for publishing in at least one newspaper issued by a local government or in another local newspaper. The publication shall indicate the State authority or the local government in which the concerned parties may become acquainted with:

1) the content of the decision;

2) the justification for the decision and information on the process of public discussion, also indicating how the proposals of such country have been taken into account with which consultations during transboundary environmental impact assessment have taken place;

3) the activities which shall be performed in order to prevent or reduce the unfavourable environmental impact;

4) [15 September 2005].

(3) The relevant State authority, local government, or another authority specified in law shall inform each country with which it has consulted during the process of environmental impact assessment, and shall send thereto the information referred to in Paragraph two of this Section.

(4) If the intended activity is planned to be implemented outside the territory under the jurisdiction of Latvia and consultations have taken place in accordance with Section 20.¹, Paragraph seven of this Law, the competent authority shall, within five working days after information on the decision taken has been received, publish such decision on its website.

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 10 June 2010; 17 May 2018]

Chapter V.¹
Procedures for Strategic Assessment

[19 June 2003]

Section 23.¹ Proposal of a Planning Document to the Competent Authority

(1) When commencing the preparation of such a planning document which, in accordance with this Law, may have a substantial impact on the environment, also on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) (except for the planning documents referred to in Paragraph three of this Section), the developer thereof shall submit a written submission to the competent authority. Prior to submitting the written submission, the developer shall consult with the environmental and public health institutions concerned regarding the possible impact of the implementation of the planning document on the environment and human health and regarding the need for the strategic assessment. Taking into account Section 4, Paragraphs three, four, five, and six of this Law, and also the criteria laid down in Section 23.² and the opinion of the concerned authorities, the developer shall justify in the submission the necessity for applying the strategic assessment or the reasons why a particular planning document does not need the strategic assessment.

(2) The Cabinet shall determine the content and procedures for submitting a submission, and also the authorities with which the submitter shall consult prior to submitting the submission.

(3) The Cabinet shall determine such types of planning documents for which the strategic assessment is required.

[26 February 2004; 15 September 2005]

Section 23.² Criteria for the Necessity of the Strategic Assessment

In order to decide on the necessity of the strategic assessment, the following shall be evaluated:

1) the nature of the relevant planning document, taking into account:

a) to what extent the planning document includes preconditions for the implementation of intended activities, projects and other activities, taking into account the choice of location, the type and amount of the activity, the operating conditions and the utilisation of resources;

b) to what extent the planning document shall influence other planning documents which are at various levels of planning;

c) the relation of the planning document to the inclusion of environmental requirements in the planning documents of other sectors, particularly in order to promote sustainable development;

d) the environmental problems related to a particular planning document;

e) the relation of the planning document to the introduction of the provisions of the laws and regulations of Latvia and the European Union in the area of the environment, especially in the area of waste management and the protection of water resources;

2) characterisation of the territory subject to the possible impact, taking into account:

a) the probability, duration, frequency, and reversibility of the consequences of the impact;

b) the cumulative effect of the impact;

c) the nature of the transboundary impact;

d) the hazards to human health or the environment, and also the risk of accidents;

e) the amount and spreading of the impact, taking into account the size of the territory and number of inhabitants subject to the possible impact;

3) the vulnerability and specific characteristics of the territory subject to the possible impact, taking into account:

a) the measure of characteristics of natural conditions;

b) the impact on cultural monuments;

c) the existing or possible exceedance of the norms for environmental quality;

d) the type and intensity of the land use;

4) the impact of the implementation of the relevant planning document on:

a) specially protected nature territories, wetlands of international significance, micro-reserves, the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga coastal protection zone, surface water body protection zones;

b) specially protected species, their habitats and specially protected biotopes and biotopes of European Union significance.

[26 February 2004; 17 May 2018]

Section 23.³ Decision on the Necessity of the Strategic Assessment

The competent authority shall:

1) take a motivated decision if a particular planning document requires the strategic assessment;

2) ensure that the decision to apply or not to apply the strategic assessment and the documents substantiating such decision are accessible to everyone;

3) inform the public of the reasons why the strategic assessment is or is not applied to a particular planning document in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet.

Section 23.⁴ Environmental Review

(1) Information shall be included in an environmental review which may be provided by the developer, taking into account the present level of knowledge and assessment methods, the content of a planning document, the place in the hierarchy of planning documents and the level of development and detail thereof up to which it is useful to assess the impact on the environment in the relevant stage of planning in order to prevent the duplication of an assessment.

(2) The Cabinet shall determine the required information to be included in an environmental review.

Section 23.⁵ Procedures for Developing, Discussing and Monitoring a Strategic Assessment

(1) The strategic assessment shall be carried out during the preparation of a planning document, before such planning document is submitted for acceptance. If a planning document is hierarchically related to another planning document or to the implementation of intended activities, in order to prevent the duplication of information, only such information shall be included in an environmental review which is necessary at the relevant stage of planning, and also shall use the information obtained during the previous stages of planning.

(2) The developer shall consult with the competent authority regarding the level of detail of an environmental review.

(3) In accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet, the developer shall publish an announcement on the possibilities of the public to become acquainted with an environmental review and the draft of planning document, and also on the possibilities to participate in a public discussion.

(4) During the preparation of a planning document and before the acceptance thereof, the developer shall evaluate and take into account:

1) the environmental review, and also the alternative solutions for the prevention, reduction, or compensation of the negative impact on the health of human beings and the environment;

2) the comments and proposals received in regard to the environmental review;

3) public opinion;

4) in the case of transboundary impact, also the comments and proposals of the relevant State authorities and public opinion;

5) opinion of the European Commission on the planning document and the requirements laid down in the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories regarding measures to be compensated in relation to protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), if the implementation of the planning document negatively impacts protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000) and in accordance with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories it is necessary to obtain an opinion from the European Commission.

(5) Taking into account the assessment of alternative solutions, the comments and proposals received, and also public opinion, the developer shall update an environmental review and submit it to the competent authority together with copies of the comments and proposals received.

(6) The competent authority shall provide an opinion on an environmental review by the time limit stipulated by the Cabinet, taking into account the conformity of the environmental review to the requirements of laws and regulations and the justification of the designated solution, and also shall determine the time limits by which the developer shall submit a report on the direct or indirect impact on the environment of the implementation of a planning document, also the impact not anticipated in the environmental review, to the competent authority after the approval of the planning document. If the designated solution is not sufficiently justified, the competent authority shall specify in the opinion the objections taken into account in deciding on the approval of the planning document.

(7) If an environmental review does not conform to the requirements of laws and regulations or the designated solution has a substantial impact on human health and the environment and is not sufficiently justified, and also if the informing of the public and a discussion of the environmental review has not been performed in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet or the comments and proposals received have not been evaluated, the competent authority shall send the environmental review to the developer for revision, indicating the deficiencies to be eliminated, or shall assign the executor to ensure the informing of the public and a public discussion.

(7¹) Before the competent authority provides an opinion, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development shall prepare an informative report and draft Cabinet order for the submission to the Cabinet for the taking a decision in the following cases:

1) if, in accordance with the environmental review submitted by the developer, the implementation of the planning document will have a negative impact on the protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), but the implementation of this document is the only solution to satisfy important societal interests, also social or economic interests;

2) if, in accordance with the environmental review submitted by the developer, the implementation of the planning document will have a negative impact on the priority species and biotopes of the European Union in protected nature territories of European significance (Natura 2000), but the implementation of this document is the only solution and is necessary for the satisfaction of the safeguarding of public health, public safety or environmental protection interests or other interests of special importance to the public.

(7²) The Cabinet shall determine the requirements for the informative report referred to in Paragraph 7.¹ of this Section.

(7³) If, in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet, the implementation of the planning document is the only solution in order to satisfy important social or economic societal interests, the competent authority shall, in conformity with the law On Specially Protected Nature Territories, send the report to the European Commission.

(8) The Cabinet shall determine:

1) the authorities to which the developer shall send the draft of a planning document and an environmental review in order to receive comments and propositions;

2) the procedures for informing the public and discussing an environmental review, also in cases of transboundary impact;

3) the provisions and procedures for informing the public after acceptance of a planning document;

4) the procedures for informing the relevant countries in cases of possible transboundary impact;

5) the procedures for informing the European Commission;

6) the procedures for monitoring a planning document.

[26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 10 June 2010; 16 December 2010]

Chapter VI
Obligations of the Initiator, the Developer, and the Invited Experts and Procedures for Reviewing Decisions

[21 May 2020 / The new wording of the title of the Chapter shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 24. Obligations of the Initiator and the Developer

(1) The initiator has an obligation to ensure:

1) the completeness and veracity of the submitted information, and also the preparation of the report in accordance with the requirements of this Law and other laws and regulations;

2) the implementation of the solutions included in the report, including the implementation of such solutions which are intended to prevent, preclude, or reduce and, if possible, compensate the substantial unfavourable environmental impact of the intended activity.

(2) The developer has an obligation to ensure the completeness and veracity of the information, and also the carrying out of the strategic assessment in accordance with the requirements of this Law and other laws and regulations.

[21 May 2020 / The new wording of Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 25. Obligations of the Invited Experts

The invited experts have an obligation to ensure:

1) the objectiveness of the assessment of documents submitted to the competent authority;

2) the quality of their opinion and compliance with the time limits for the preparation of the opinion.

[21 May 2020 / The new wording of Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 26. Procedures for Reviewing Decisions

(1) Any decision taken in accordance with this Law, also any activity or inactivity, may not infringe or ignore the rights of the public laid down in laws and regulations to information or participation in the process of environmental impact assessment or strategic assessment.

(2) If the rights of the public specified in laws and regulations to information or participation have been infringed or ignored in the process of environmental impact assessment or strategic assessment, anyone has the right to submit:

1) a complaint to the competent authority regarding the actions of the initiator or developer during the entire process of environmental impact assessment until such time when the competent authority has provided an opinion on the report or environmental report;

2) a complaint to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development regarding a decision of the competent authority, when reviewing the complaint referred to in Clause 1 of this Paragraph.

(3) The competent authority and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, upon reviewing a complaint, have the right to entrust the initiator or developer with ensuring the rights of the public specified in laws and regulations to information or participation in the process of environmental impact assessment or strategic assessment. If the initiator or developer does not take into account the opinion of the competent authority or the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, the competent authority shall, when preparing the report, evaluate the actions of the initiator or developer and, if necessary, indicate the violations of the initiator or developer in the report in relation to the failure to ensure the participation of the public or failure to provide information.

(4) The decision to accept the intended activity or the decision to accept a planning document, if the rights of the public laid down in laws and regulations to information or participation have been infringed upon or ignored in the process of environmental impact assessment or strategic assessment, may be contested and appealed in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations.

[5 June 2014]

Chapter VII
Administrative Offences in the Field of Environmental Impact Assessment and Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

[21 May 2020 / Chapter shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 27. Administrative Offences in the Field of Environmental Impact Assessment

(1) For the performance of the intended activity without conforming to the environmental protection requirements in relation to the location of implementation of the intended activity, the type of technologies, or the measures for the prevention and reduction of impact which are specified in the technical provisions issued by the State Environmental Service, a fine from fourteen to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from twenty-eight to five hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(2) For the performance of the intended activity without conforming to the requirements in relation to the location of implementation of the intended activity, the amount and the type of technologies, or the requirements for the prevention, reduction, compensation, and monitoring of impact which are specified in the opinion of the competent authority on the environmental impact assessment report of the intended activity, a fine from fourteen to one hundred and forty units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from eighty-six to five hundred and eighty units of fine - on a legal person.

(3) For the performance of the intended activity without the initial impact assessment or without the technical provisions issued by the State Environmental Service, a fine from twenty-eight to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from eighty-six to two thousand and four hundred units of fine - on a legal person.

(4) For the performance of the intended activity without the environmental impact assessment or without receipt of the acceptance of the relevant intended activity by the State authority, local government, another authority specified in the law, or the Cabinet, a fine from one hundred and forty to four hundred units of fine shall be imposed on a natural person, but a fine from two hundred to two thousand and eight hundred units of fine - on a legal person.

[21 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Section 28. Competence in Administrative Offence Proceedings

The administrative offence proceedings for the offences referred to in Section 27 of this Law shall be conducted by the State Environmental Service.

[21 May 2020 / Section shall come into force on 1 July 2020. See Paragraph 22 of Transitional Provisions]

Transitional Provisions

1. The Cabinet shall establish the competent authority not later than by 1 January 1999.

2. The State Environmental Examination Administration shall fulfil the duties of the competent authority until the day when the competent authority begins its operation.

3. [19 June 2003]

4. With the coming into force of this Law, the following are repealed:

1) the law On State Environmental Examination (Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, 1990, No. 45);

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 278, Regulations regarding Environmental Impact Assessment (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1998, No. 18), issued in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article 81 of the Constitution.

5. The Cabinet shall, by 1 October 2001, prepare and approve the regulations referred to in Section 4, Paragraph two of this Law.

[30 May 2001]

6. The strategic assessment shall not be required for the planning documents whose development is determined by laws and regulations until 21 July 2004 or whose development has begun before 21 July 2004 if the developer has informed the competent authority of such planning document until 21 July 2004 and the planning document is accepted by 21 July 2006, except:

1) when, after receiving the information, the competent authority has taken the decision on the necessity of a strategic environmental assessment, taking into account the criteria for the necessity of the strategic assessment referred to in Section 23.² of this Law and the stage of development of the planning document;

2) in the cases specified in Paragraph 7 of these Transitional Provisions.

[26 February 2004]

7. Planning documents whose implementation may have a substantial impact on the protected nature territories of European significance shall require the strategic assessment if they have been accepted after 1 May 2004.

[19 June 2003]

8. If the developer applies the strategic assessment to a planning document prior to the expiry of the time limits referred to in Paragraph 6 or 7 of these Transitional Provisions, the strategic assessment shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

[19 June 2003]

9. The Cabinet shall, by 1 March 2004, issue the regulations referred to in this Law.

[19 June 2003]

10. The following Cabinet regulations shall be applied until the coming into force of the new Cabinet regulations, but not later than until 1 March 2004, insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law:

1) Cabinet Regulation No. 213 of 15 June 1999, Procedures for Assessing the Impact on the Environment (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1999, No. 14);

2) Cabinet Regulation No. 521 of 18 December, By-law of the State Environmental Impact Assessment Bureau (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 2002, No. 3).

[19 June 2003]

11. The Cabinet shall, by 1 May 2006, issue the regulations referred to in Section 4.¹, Section 19, Paragraph four, Section 22, Paragraph five, and Section 23.⁵, Paragraph 7.² of this Law.

[15 September 2005]

12. The Cabinet shall issue the regulations referred to in Section 5 of this Law by 1 January 2008. Until the day of the coming into force of such regulations, but not later than until 1 January 2008, Cabinet Regulation No. 117 of 7 February 2006, Regulations Regarding the Price List of the Paid Services Provided by the State Environmental Service, shall be applied insofar as they are not in contradiction with this Law.

[7 June 2007]

13. Amendments to Section 5 of this Law in relation to the obligation of the initiator of an intended activity to pay the State fee for the initial environmental impact assessment shall come into force on 1 January 2008.

[7 June 2007]

14. Amendments to Section 4.¹, Paragraph three, Section 14, Paragraphs one and three, Section 20.¹, Paragraphs five, six, 6.¹, and 6.² and Section 21, Paragraph two, Section 26, Paragraph two, Clause 1, and also amendments regarding the new wording of Section 15, Paragraph one, Section 16, Paragraph four, Sections 17, 20, 22 and Section 24, Paragraph one, the deletion of Section 3.¹, Section 14, Paragraph four, Section 18 and 19 of this Law, and the supplementation of the Law with Section 6.¹ shall come into force on 1 January 2011.

[10 June 2010]

15. The Cabinet shall, not later than by 1 January 2011, issue the regulations referred to in Section 17, Paragraph five, Section 20, Paragraphs five and seven, and also Section 22 of this Law.

[10 June 2010]

16. Paragraph 31 of Annex 1 to this Law shall come into force on 1 January 2013.

[1 December 2011]

17. Amendments to this Law regarding the deletion of Section 4, Paragraphs two and 2.¹, the new wording of Sections 12 and 13, and also amendments to Annexes 1 and 2 shall come into force on 1 January 2015.

[5 June 2014]

18. The Cabinet shall, not later than by 1 January 2015, issue the regulations referred to in Section 12, Paragraph two of this Law. Until the day of coming into force of this Regulation, however, not later than by 1 January 2015, Cabinet Regulation No. 83 of 25 January 2011, Procedures for the Environmental Impact Assessment of an Intended Activity, shall be applied.

[5 June 2014]

19. The Cabinet shall, not later than by 1 January 2015, issue the regulations referred to in Section 13, Paragraph four of this Law. Until the day of coming into force of this Regulation, however, not later than by 1 January 2015, Cabinet Regulation No. 91 of 24 February 2004, Procedures by which the Regional Environmental Board shall Issue Technical Regulations for an Intended Activity which Does not Need the Environmental Impact Assessment, shall be applied.

[5 June 2014]

20. Decisions of the competent authority on the application or non-application of the environmental impact assessment which have been taken until 31 December 2016 according to the initial assessment shall be in effect.

[23 November 2016]

21. The competent authority shall, according to the initial assessment, issue the decision on the application or non-application of the environmental impact assessment of the intended activity if the result of the initial assessment of the State Environmental Service together with the information aggregated during the assessment and the submission of the intended activity have been submitted to the competent authority until 31 December 2016.

[23 November 2016]

22. Amendments regarding the new wording of the title of Chapter VI of this Law, the new wording of Sections 24 and 25, and also Chapter VII shall come into force concurrently with the Law on Administrative Liability.

[21 May 2020]

Informative Reference to the European Union Directives

[15 September 2005; 10 June 2010; 1 December 2011; 5 June 2014; 23 November 2016]

The Law contains legal norms arising from:

1) Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (codified version);

2) [5 June 2014];

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

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

5) Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment;

6) [5 June 2014];

7) [5 June 2014];

8) Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment.

The Law was adopted by the Saeima on 14 October 1998.

President G. Ulmanis

Rīga, 30 October 1998

Law On Environmental Impact Assessment
Annex 1

[30 May 2001; 19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 7 June 2007; 10 June 2010; 1 December 2011; 5 June 2014; 29 September 2022]

Objects Requiring the Impact Assessment

1. Installations which are intended for the refinement of crude oil, coal, or bituminous shale if the refinement amount is 500 or more tons per day.

2. Thermal power stations and other combustion installations with a heat output of 100 megawatts or more.

3. Nuclear power stations and nuclear reactors, and also the dismantling or liquidation thereof (except for research installations for the production and conversion of nuclear materials and transformable nuclear materials whose maximum power does not exceed 1 kilowatt average thermal input). (Nuclear power station or other nuclear reactor operations shall be deemed to have ceased when all the nuclear fuel and other radioactive polluting elements have been fully removed from the location of the installation).

4. Installations for the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel.

5. Installations or zones designed for:

1) the production or enrichment of nuclear fuel;

2) the processing of irradiated nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste;

3) the final disposal of irradiated nuclear fuel;

4) the final disposal of radioactive waste;

5) the storage of irradiated nuclear fuel or radioactive waste for more than 10 years outside the production site or the place of origin thereof.

6. Integrated pig iron or steel plants and installations for the production of non-ferrous metals from ore, concentrates or secondary raw materials by metallurgical, chemical, or electrolytic processes.

7. Installations for the extraction of asbestos and for the processing and transformation of asbestos and products containing asbestos:

1) if the amount of the finished products of asbestos-cement products exceeds 10 000 tons per year;

2) if the amount of the finished products of friction materials exceeds 50 tons per year;

3) in other cases if installations utilise more than 50 tons of asbestos per year.

8. Installations which are intended for the industrial production of the following substances, using several consecutive processes for the conversion of chemical substances:

1) organic and inorganic basic chemical substances;

2) phosphorous-, nitrogen- or potassium-based (simple or compound) fertilisers;

3) plant protection products and biocides;

4) pharmaceutical products in the production of which chemical and biological processes are used;

5) explosives.

9. Construction of new railway lines if their length is 10 kilometres and more.

10. Construction of new airports with a runway length of 2100 metres or more.

11. Construction of motorways and express roads.

11.¹ Construction of new roads with four or more lanes or existing roads with two or less lanes which have been realigned and/or widened so as to provide roads of four or more lanes if such section of constructed, realigned and/or widened road is 10 or more kilometres long.

11.² Construction of new motor roads if their length is 10 kilometres and more, except for the construction of new motor roads which are necessary for the construction of such wind power plants which are subject to the Law on the Facilitated Procedures for the Construction of the Energy Supply Buildings Required for the Promotion of Energy Security and Autonomy.

12. Inland waterways and ports which are intended for inland waterway transport with a capacity of 1350 tons or more.

13. Ports and piers outside the ports which are connected to the land and intended for the reloading of cargoes (except for passenger ship piers) if they can service ships with a capacity of 1350 tons or more.

14. Sites for the disposal of hazardous waste, and also installations for the incineration and chemical treatment thereof.

14.¹ Installations for biological, physical, and mechanical processing and treatment of hazardous waste if their capacity is 10 000 tons per year or more.

14.² Installations for sorting of hazardous waste if their capacity is 20 000 tons per year or more.

15. Municipal waste disposal sites.

16. Municipal waste disposal installations for the incineration and chemical treatment thereof if the treatment amount is ten or more tons per twenty-four hours.

17. Projects designed for the abstraction of groundwater or artificial recharging of groundwater if the annual total circulation is 10 million cubic metres or more.

17.¹ Projects which provide for the division of water resources between river basins (except for the acquisition of centralised drinking water) if the goal of such division of resources is to prevent possible water shortages and if the amount of water transferred exceeds 100 million cubic metres per year.

18. Projects designed for the transfer of water resources between river basins (except for the centralised abstraction of drinking water), if the amount of transferred water exceeds 5 per cent of the flow thereof.

19. Waste water treatment plants with a capacity which exceeds 150 000 population equivalents.

20. Projects designed for the extraction of hydrocarbons for commercial purposes.

21. Dams or other hydro-constructions designed for the keeping back or permanent storage of water if the amount of artificially stored water thereof exceeds 10 million cubic metres.

22. Pipelines with a diameter of more than 800 millimetres and a length of more than 40 kilometres:

1) for the transport of oil, gas, and chemicals;

2) for the transport of captured carbon dioxide streams to the storage site, including booster stations associated with the network of pipelines.

23. Installations for the intensive rearing of pigs or poultry with more than:

1) 85 000 places for broilers;

2) 60 000 places for hens;

3) 3000 places for production pigs (over 30 kilograms);

4) 900 places for sows.

24. Industrial plants for:

1) the production of pulp from timber or similar fibrous materials;

2) the production of paper and board if the production capacity exceeds 50 000 tons per year.

25. Extraction of mineral resources in the area of 25 hectares or larger or extraction of peat in the area of 150 hectares or larger.

26. High voltage overhead power lines with a voltage equivalent to 220 kilovolts or higher and length exceeding 15 kilometres.

26.¹ Construction of wind power plants if their total capacity is 50 megawatts and more, except for the construction of such wind power plants which are subject to the initial assessment in accordance with the Law on the Facilitated Procedures for the Construction of the Energy Supply Buildings Required for the Promotion of Energy Security and Autonomy.

27. Storage facilities for petroleum and petrochemical products with a total capacity of 50 000 tons or more, and also storage facilities for chemical products with a total capacity of 20 000 tons or more.

28. [19 June 2003]

29. Projects for the propagation (introduction) of wild species which are not characteristic to the nature of Latvia.

30. [5 June 2014]

31. Storage sites of carbon dioxide arranged in geological structures that are located in the territory of Latvia, exclusive economic zone and on the continental shelf thereof. Impact assessment is not required for storage sites where carbon dioxide is stored for research, development or testing of new products and processes if the total intended storage amount of carbon dioxide is less than 100 000 tonnes.

[Clause shall come into force on 1 January 2013. See Paragraph 16 of Transitional Provisions]

32. Installation of facilities for the capture of carbon dioxide in order to store carbon dioxide in geological structures:

1) if carbon dioxide is captured from the activities (installations) covered by this Annex;

2) if the total yearly capture of carbon dioxide is 1.5 megatons or more.

Law On Environmental Impact Assessment
Annex 2

Activities Requiring the Initial Assessment

[19 June 2003; 26 February 2004; 15 September 2005; 7 June 2007; 10 June 2010; 1 December 2011; 5 June 2014 / Amendments to Annex shall come into force on 1 January 2015. See Paragraph 17 of Transitional Provisions]

1. Agriculture, forestry, fisheries:

1) change of category of use of land to be used in agriculture if the area of such land is larger than 50 hectares;

2) conversion of partially converted territories or territories not used for economic activity into arable land if the land area is larger than 50 hectares;

3) the following water management projects:

a) new water management projects, including construction of new amelioration and irrigation systems if their land area is larger than 100 hectares;

b) reconstruction of existing amelioration or irrigation systems if their land area is larger than 500 hectares;

4) afforestation and deforestation if the land area is larger than 50 hectares;

5) construction of installations for the intensive rearing of livestock and poultry if they are intended for:

a) more than 2000 pigs for fattening whose weight exceeds 30 kilograms;

b) more than 750 sows;

c) more than 40 000 poultry;

d) farms in which there are 500 cattle;

e) farms in which there are 250 cattle if in such farms there is insufficient agricultural land area for the distribution of manure (determining the permitted animal units - 1.7 animal units per hectare of agricultural land);

6) the creation of ponds for fish farming the total area of which exceeds 10 hectares, the arrangement of fish farming complexes in natural reservoirs and watercourses;

7) reclamation of land from the sea;

8) growing of genetically modified crops allowed in the European Union.

2. Extractive industry:

1) extraction of mineral resources in the area of 5 hectares or larger or extraction of peat in the area of 25 hectares or larger;

2) the extraction of mineral resources in underground mines;

3) the extraction of mineral resources by cleaning or deepening surface water objects or the sea (except for repair deepening of port aquatic waters for renewal of the initial designed depth), if the total volume of mineral resources extracted is 1000 or more cubic metres;

4) the installation and utilisation of the following deep drillings (except for drillings designed for engineering geological surveys and the monitoring of groundwater):

a) geothermal drillings;

b) drillings for radioactive waste storage;

c) drillings for water extraction which are deeper than 250 metres;

d) drillings for the research and extraction of hydrocarbons;

5) installation of surface industrial installations for the extraction of coal, petroleum, natural gas, ores and bituminous shale.

3. Energy industry:

1) the installation of industrial installations for the production of electricity, steam, and hot water if the entered thermal power thereof exceeds 50 megawatts;

2) the installation of transmission lines of gas, steam, and hot water and high-voltage electric lines if the length thereof exceeds 5 kilometres;

3) the installation of surface natural gas and underground natural gas and other inflammable gases storage sites;

4) the installation of surface storage sites for fossil fuels;

5) the setting up of installations for the briquetting of coal and lignite;

6) the setting up of installations for the processing and storage of radioactive waste (all operations to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

7) the construction of hydroelectric power plants if:

a) a new hydroelectric power plant is constructed;

b) an existing hydroelectric power plant is reconstructed, thus affecting the hydrological or hydrogeological regime;

8) the construction of wind power plants if:

a) their number if 5 power plants or more;

b) their capacity is 5 megawatts or more;

c) it is intended in the distance of less than 500 metres from residential houses, except for the cases when the wind power plant is intended for electricity supply of the residential house and its capacity is 20 kilowatts or more;

d) the height of the structure exceeds 30 metres and it is intended in a specially protected nature territory or in the distance of less than 1 kilometre from a specially protected nature territory, except for the territory of natural monuments - protected stones (secular stones) and protected trees (secular trees) -, or from a micro-reserve created for the protection of specially protected bird species;

9) the construction of wind farms in the territorial waters of the Republic of Latvia or in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Latvia;

10) the installation of such facilities for the capture of carbon dioxide which are not covered by Annex 1 to this Law.

4. The extraction and production of metals and fabricated metal products:

1) installations for the production of pig iron or steel (primary or secondary fusion) including continuous casting if the capacity of such installations exceeds 2.5 tons per hour;

2) installations for the processing of ferrous metals:

a) hot-rolling mills in which more than 20 tons of steel are processed per hour;

b) smitheries the energy of which exceeds 50 kilojoules for each mechanism if the capacity of consumed heat exceeds 20 megawatts;

c) installations for the application of protective fused metal coats which process more than 2 tons of steel per hour;

3) ferrous metal foundries the production capacity of which exceeds 20 tons per twenty-four hours;

4) installations for the smelting of non-ferrous metals (also the alloyage of non-ferrous metals, excluding precious metals), the capacity of which exceeds 4 tons of melted lead or cadmium per twenty-four hours or 20 tons of any other melted metal per twenty-four hours (also installations for the refining of processed products and metal foundries);

5) installations for surface treatment of metals and plastic materials using an electrolytic or chemical process and the total volume of the electrolysis bath or chemical treatment vessel thereof exceeds 30 cubic metres;

6) the mass production and assembly of mechanic vehicles and the manufacturing of the engines of such vehicles;

7) shipyards and repair yards;

8) installations for the construction and repair of aircraft;

9) manufacture of railway structures;

10) extraction of metals by explosives;

11) the setting up of installations for the roasting and sintering of metallic ores.

5. Processing of mineral resources:

1) the setting up of coke ovens (dry coal distillation);

2) the manufacture of cement if the production capacity exceeds 500 tons of products per twenty-four hours;

3) the setting up of installations for the production of asbestos and such products in which asbestos is the main component (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

4) the setting up of installations for the manufacture of glass and glass fibres if the smelting capacity exceeds 20 tons per twenty-four hours;

5) the setting up of installations for the smelting of mineral substances, and also the production of mineral fibres if the smelting capacity exceeds 20 tons per twenty-four hours;

6) the manufacture of ceramic products by burning, the manufacture of roofing tiles, bricks, refractory bricks, tiles, stoneware and porcelain if the production capacity exceeds 75 tons of finished products per twenty-four hours or if the volume of the kiln is larger than 4 cubic metres and more than 300 kilograms of products per one cubic metre of the furnace may be placed in the kiln.

6. Chemical industry:

1) the industrial production of chemical substances and the treatment of intermediate products (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

2) the industrial production of pesticides, pharmaceutical products, paint, varnishes, elastomers and peroxides (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

3) the setting up of storage facilities for petroleum, petrochemical and chemical products (with a total capacity of 10 000 tons or more).

7. Food industry:

1) the industrial production of vegetable and animal oils and fats if the production capacity is 10 000 tons per year or 25 tons per twenty-four hours and more;

2) the industrial packing and canning of products of vegetable and animal origin if the production capacity is 10 000 tons per year or 25 tons per twenty-four hours and more;

3) the industrial production of dairy products if more than 50 tons of milk per twenty-four hours are accepted (if 50 tons per twenty-four hours is the annual average indicator);

4) brewing and industrial malting if the production capacity is 10 000 tons per year or 25 tons per twenty-four hours and more;

5) the industrial production of confectionery and syrup if the production capacity is 10 000 tons per year or 25 tons per twenty-four hours and more;

6) the construction of such animal slaughterhouses in which more than 25 tons of carcasses per twenty-four hours are processed;

7) the industrial starch production if the production capacity is 10 000 tons per year or 25 tons per twenty-four hours and more;

8) the industrial production of fish products and fish oil in undertakings in which more than 10 tons of fish per twenty-four hours are processed;

9) the industrial production of sugar if the production capacity is 10 000 tons per year or 25 tons per twenty-four hours and more.

8. Textile industry, industrial production of leather, wood and paper:

1) production of paper and board if more than 20 tons of product is manufactured per twenty-four hours;

2) pre-treatment of materials or the dyeing of fibres and textiles if more than 1 ton of materials is treated per twenty-four hours;

3) leather tanning in industrial amounts if more than 5 tons of the finished product is produced per twenty-four hours;

4) the production of chipboards and veneers if the production capacity is 20 tons per twenty-four hours;

5) the setting up of installations for the processing and production of cellulose (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply).

9. Rubber industry - the industrial manufacture and treatment of elastomer-based products.

10. Infrastructure projects:

1) the arrangement of industrial territories if their area is 2.5 hectares and larger;

2) urban development projects (for example, construction of shopping centres, new water supply or sewerage external networks) if the total length exceeds 20 kilometres, or more than 300 vehicles in intended car parks);

3) railway infrastructure projects:

a) construction of new railway lines if their length exceeds 2.5 kilometres;

b) construction of transshipment facilities and terminals if the intended amount of freight is 10 million tons per year and more, except for renovation of the abovementioned objects (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

4) the construction of aerodromes (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply), except for the installation of a helipad for medical, rescue, and military needs;

5) the construction of a new road:

a) if its length is 1 kilometre and more;

b) if it is intended in a specially protected nature territory, is bordering with a specially protected nature territory, or is intended within the distance of 100 metres from it;

5¹) the construction of ports and ship berths, also fishing ports (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

6) the construction of new inland waterways if their length is 500 metres and more;

7) the construction of dams and other installations designed for water storage if the water capacity in the reservoir exceeds 3 000 000 cubic metres;

8) the construction of new tramways and underground railways or other type of rail transport for the carriage of passengers if their length is 2 kilometres and more;

9) the installation of pipelines for the transport of oil and gas if the length thereof exceeds 20 kilometres;

10) the installation of aqueducts if the total length thereof exceeds 20 kilometres;

11) the construction of dykes, moles and other constructions in the sea where changes in the coast are possible, except for the maintenance of existing buildings;

12) the abstraction of groundwater and the artificial recharging of groundwaters if the annual total circulation is 1 000 000 cubic metres or more;

13) the installation of artificial watercourses and bodies of water if they are longer than 0.5 kilometres or the area thereof is larger than 10 hectares;

14) projects designed for the transfer of water resources between river basins, if the amount of transferred water exceed 2 per cent of its flow;

15) installations of long-distance aqueducts and main water pipelines for the provision of water;

16) construction of dams, moles and other installations for the prevention of floods;

17) seashore reinforcement;

18) the installation of such pipelines for the transport of carbon dioxide streams that are not covered by Annex 1 to this Law, including booster stations associated with the network of pipelines.

11. Other activities:

1) the creation of racing tracks and testing ground for motorised vehicles if they are located within the boundaries of villages and towns or if their length is 1 kilometre and more;

2) waste disposal facilities (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

2¹) waste recycling and processing facilities if their capacity is 5 tons per twenty-four hours (all activities to which Annex 1 to this Law does not apply);

3) the construction of waste-water treatment plants if the capacity thereof exceeds 20 000 human equivalents;

4) the construction of sludge-deposition sites;

5) the arrangement of scrap-iron storage sites (also territories designed for the storage of more than 300 scrap vehicles);

6) the installation of test benches (laboratories) for engines, turbines and reactors;

7) the setting up of installations for the manufacture of artificial mineral fibres;

8) the setting up of installations for the destruction or processing of explosive substances;

9) the arrangement of cemeteries (also the arrangement of domestic (pet) animal cemeteries);

10) the construction of facilities for the processing of such by-products of animal origin which are not intended to be used in food products;

11) areas for the sorting of hazardous waste;

12) the construction, rebuilding, renewal, and restoration of buildings and structures in the coastal dune protection zone of the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Rīga;

13) the creation of soil placement areas in protected sea territories, except for the protected sea territories "Nida-Pērkone" and "Rīgas līča rietumu piekraste".

12. Tourism and leisure:

1) installation of ski-runs, ski-lifts and overhead trams and the activities related thereto;

2) the installation of marinas for yachts and other small-size vessels if they are intended for admission of more than 5 small-size vessels at the same time;

3) the construction of hotels, guest houses, or hotel complexes outside populated areas and associated developments, if they can ensure admission of more than 25 persons at the same time or if they are intended in a specially protected nature territory;

4) the arrangement of permanent camp sites if they can ensure admission of more than 25 persons at the same time or if they are intended in a specially protected nature territory;

5) the creation of theme parks.

13. [5 June 2014]

14. Activities intended for the development (testing) of new methods and products and apply to the objects referred to in Annex 1 to this Law and which continue for not more than two years after they have been initiated.

¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2023 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)