Environmental Projects in Lithuania, Danish Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Assistance to Eastern Europe 2001

Environmental Projects in Lithuania

In the summer of 2001 the hitherto country programme for Lithuania was replaced by a revised country programme for the period 2001 to 2003. The latest revision of the country programme, setting out the prioritisation of the co-operation between the Lithuanian and the Danish environmental ministries was made in 1997.

In the new country programme, importance is attached to: The best possible short and long term environmental benefit, EU approximation, the implementation of international environmental conventions, support of the development of the energy sector as a follow-up on the decision to decommission the Ignalina nuclear power station, plus the presence of a qualified Danish resource base. Sectorwise, the focus is on projects within the water and waste sectors, conservation of nature and biodiversity, and the prevention of and control with pollution from the industry among others.

Since 1995, when Lithuania applied for admission to EU, the wish for and the need to approximate the Lithuanian environmental legislation to the EU environmental laws has played an increasingly prominent role in the Lithuanian environmental politics and strategy. This in particular and the need for incorporating the Danish support to the decommissioning of the Ignalina nuclear power station is reflected in the new country programme.

In 2001 support was given to 25 projects with a total Danish grant of DKK 54.7 million.

Compared to 2000 there has been a significant increase in the total grant, and at the same time the number of supported projects has gone down compared to 2000. Thus the average project size has increased from DKK 1.1 million in 2000 to 2.2 million in 2001.

In recent years the Danish support for projects aimed at the Lithuanian EU admission process has accounted for an increasing part of the Danish support to Lithuania, and from both Lithuania and EU the Danish support is recognised as an important factor for reaching an agreement between Lithuania and EU in June 2001 on how Lithuania is to implement the EU environmental protocol and the interim arrangements that shall apply for Lithuania. At this point the negotiations on the EU 'Environmental chapter' was temporarily closed. Moreover, without any connection, a change of government took place in Lithuania at almost the same time.

In 2001, the Danish support for projects in the water sector made up approx. 25% of the total Danish support.

In 2001, two large projects were started with direct relation to the adaptation of the Lithuanian laws and environmental administration to the EU laws. One project (124/025-0115) is to enable Lithuania to implement the requirements for sewage discharge, that applies to the EU member countries, while the other project (124/025-0217) deals with the implementation of the EU water framework directive. Furthermore, support has been given for the new waste water treatment plants in Trakai-Lentvaris and Varena.

In the nature sector a total support of quite DKK 9 million was granted, equivalent to quite 15% of the total support.

The majority of this support has been for a project (124/025-0202) aimed at the implementation of the EU habitat Directive, which requires a registration of wild flora and fauna in Lithuania and a designation of especially important habitats, the so-called NATURA 2000 network. Furthermore, support has been granted for the strengthening of the Lithuanian ornithological society through a close co-operation with The Danish Ornithological Society (124/025-0111).

The waste sector accounts for approx. 10% of the Danish support. One of the decisive factors in relation to improving the waste management in Lithuania and bring this in compliance with the EU environmental requirements is the lack of regional planning of waste collection and final treatment of waste. The lack of organisation and plans makes it particularly difficult to make investments and thereby get a part of the funds made available from EU for an improved waste management. In 2001 support was granted for the preparation of a regional waste plan for the Vilnius region, that total 800,000 persons, so that at the end of the project, a (political) decision can be made on the future waste management in the region, and so that an application can be made for EU support for finalising the preparation of an altered waste management in the Siauliai region.

In 2001, another DKK 20 million was granted for the so-called Ignalina Decommissioning Fund. The fund is administered by the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, and the funds will be used for projects assisting Lithuania in the safe decommissioning of the nuclear power station at Ignalina.

Finally, it should be mentioned that by the end of 2001 DEPA finalised the report 'Danish-Lithuanian Environmental Co-operation 1991-2000' describing the Danish - Lithuanian environmental co-operation during the last 10 years.

Project title	Reserve Management through Lithuanian Ornithological Society (LOD)
File no.	124/025-0111
Project recipient	Lithuanian Ornithological Society
Project manager	The Danish Ornithological Society
Project description	The projects is a co-operation between The Danish (DOS) and the Lithuanian (LOS) Ornithological Society respectively ensuring a safe management of two preservation-worthy sanctuaries and at the same time using this process for the strengthening of the Lithuanian society and developing information campaigns on the basis of the areas and in co-operation with a number of important national institutions.
Environmental effect (expected)	The project will ensure an appropriate management of the preservationworthy sanctuaries and will have a national effect through the strengthening of the Lithuanian Ornithological Society and the implementation of information campaigns.
Grant	DKK 2,032,007
Total costs	DKK 2,032,007

Project title	Project to Assist the Republic of Lithuania in Transposing EU Requirements in the Water Sector
File no.	124/025-0115
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	DHI Water & Environment
Project description	The purpose of the project is to assist the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania in the approximation of Lithuanian laws for the water sector to EU regulations, including among other things the development of a classification system for surface water, quality standards for water (EQS) and the methodology for determining emission thresholds in accordance with quality standards.
Environmental effect (expected)	No immediate effect, but the implementation of the project will contribute to the Lithuanian environmental laws complying with the EU requirements. The implementation of these laws will lead to significant environmental improvements.
Grant	DKK 4,468,857
Total costs	DKK 4,718,857

Project title	Project Preparation on the Aarhus Convention and Waste Reporting
File no.	124/025-0123
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Carl Bro as
Project description	The project covers the preparation of at least two project documents for the following areas: Assistance to the co-ordination and implementation of the Aarhus Convention's requirements in Lithuania. Assistance to the co-ordination of activities regarding the report of waste data.
Environmental effect (expected)	No direct effect, but the implementation of the planned projects will contribute to environmental improvements in Lithuania.
Grant	DKK 535,560
Total costs	DKK 535,560

Project title	Conservation of Inland Wetland Biodiversity in Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0149
Project recipient	Nature Heritage Fund, Lithuania
Project manager	BioConsult a/s
Project description	A co-financing of project preparation (PDF-B) for UNDP-GEF. The project preparation will result in a larger project treating the development and implementation of management plans for protected freshwater areas in Lithuania through the establishment of demonstration areas.
Environmental effect (expected)	This is a project preparation. The final project is expected to lead to an improved protection of the biodiversity in the Lithuanian wetlands.
Grant	DKK 180,000
Total costs	DKK 2,250,000

Project title	Rehabilitation of Aukstrakiai Hazardous Waste Landfill, Inception Project, Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0150
Project recipient	The municipality and county of Siauliai
Project manager	Moe & Brødsgaard A/S
Project description	Support is granted to elucidate the re-establishment of a 60 ha uncontrolled waste dump for hazardous waste at Siauliai. In connection with the elucidation, a review of the hitherto activities is carried out together with an assessment of the technical and financial possibilities for a secure closing down of the existing dump and the possibilities for establishing a controlled refuse dump for hazardous waste from the surrounding tanneries.
Environmental effect (expected)	The basis is made for the re-establishment of a 60 ha uncontrolled waste dump for hazardous (tannery) waste. If the overall project is implemented, a considerable threat to the ground water resources is eliminated and the risk of transboundary pollution with substances injurious to the environment is minimised.
Grant	DKK 499,000
Total costs	DKK 499,000

Project title	Technical assistance to the Lithuanian Ministry of Environment, ISPA applications
File no.	124/025-0151T
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Rambøll as
Project description	A supplementary grant is made for the ongoing technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania. The supplementary grant enables the application for ISPA funds for establishing a regional waste solution in the Siauliai region in Lithuania.
Environmental effect (expected)	The long term environmental effect will be the establishing of a new refuse dump and a new waste management system for the 400,000 inhabitants in the Siaulia region in Lithuania. Concretely, a feasibility study is carried out that makes it possible to apply for ISPA funds for the establishing of a new refuse dump that complies with the EU requirements and standards.
Grant	DKK 640,000
Total costs	DKK 750,000

Project title	Construction Supervision and Investment Support Varena Waste Water Treatment Plant
File no.	124/025-0160
Project recipient	The municipality of Varena
Project manager	Carl Bro as
Project description	Support is granted for consultancy and supervision plus not earmarked investment support for the extension of the Varena waste water treatment plant in the southern Lithuania. The support is given through a construction supervisor contract with a Danish consultant.
Environmental effect (expected)	Expected reductions: 180 tonnes BI7/year, 2.9 tonnes phosphorus/year, 2 tonnes nitrogen/ year.
Grant	DKK 2,540,936
Total costs	DKK 18,532,396

Project title	Ignalina Decommissioning Fund, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
File no.	124/025-0165
Project recipient	Ignalina Decommissioning Fund, EBRD
Project manager	EBRD, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Project description	The objective of the project is to support a fund, established under EBRD with the purpose of shutting down and decommissioning all of the RBMK-reactors at the Ignalina nuclear power station. Furthermore, the fund is to support a number of parallel activities in the energy and social sectors.
Environmental effect (expected)	Final decommissioning of the Iglalina nuclear power station, environmentally sound removal of radioactive material from the reactors etc.
Grant	DKK 20,000,000
Total costs	DKK 20,000,000

Project title	Construction supervision, Trakai - Lentvaris Waste Water Treatment Plant, Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0169 og 124/025-0169t
Project recipient	The municipality of Trakai-Lentvaris
Project manager	COWI as
Project description	Support is granted for the consultancy and supervision in connection with the establishment of a common waste water treatment plant of approx. 21,000 PE for Trakai and Lentvaris, 50 kilometres west of Vilnius in Lithuania.
Environmental effect (expected)	Expected reductions: 35.5 tonnes BI7/year, 5 tonnes phosphorus/year, 19 tonnes nitrogen/year.
Grant	DKK 2,238,457
Total costs	DKK 2,238,457

Project title	Development of Integrated Environmental Education with Field Activities
File no.	124/025-0176
Project recipient	This is a project preparation
Project manager	Hedeselskabet
Project description	Part of the Lithuanian biodiversity strategy and action plan includes information, training and education. This project aims to integrate environmental education in the national educational programmes in Lithuania.
Environmental effect (expected)	No in this phase.
Grant	DKK 222,635
Total costs	DKK 222,635

Project title	Klaipeda Geothermal Demonstration Project, consulting
File no.	124/025-0188
Project recipient	Klaipeda Geothermal Company
Project manager	DONG A/S
Project description	The project comprises consultancy in connection with the operationalisation of the finished geothermal plant in Klaipeda. In this phase the plant is extended to use also a boiler central and a heat accumulator as an integrated part of the project. Hereby, the plant gets a 20% higher full-load capacity, which in addition will contribute to a reduction of the emission discharge in the town.
Environmental effect (expected)	No direct in the present project, but the utilisation of the boiler central and the heat accumulator in the operational phase will lead to an increase of the full-load capacity of approx. 20%, which will reduce the emission discharge in the operational phase to come.
Grant	DKK 1,728,776
Total costs	DKK 2,000,000

Project title	Long term expert to support the PHARE Twinning project
File no.	124/025-0195
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Environmental Policy Centre (EPC)
Project description	The purpose of the project is to support a PHARE Twinning project on monitoring, in which Denmark contributes with a water component. The chief content of the projects is the employment of a water expert. The job comprises the collection of relevant information from and the co-ordination with other assistance projects in the water sector and to assist the Twinning project. Primarily, the assistance to the Lithuanian water sector comes from Denmark. The project is expected to result in a larger profit of the Danish short-time experts' input in the Twinning project, as the water expert will be able to ensure the continuity.
Environmental effect (expected)	No direct effect, but the project is expected to result in an increased profit of the Twinning project.
Grant	DKK 400,000
Total costs	DKK 400,000

Project title	Study for the Extension and Rehabilitation of Pakroujo Water Supply System
File no.	124/025-0197
Project recipient	The municipality of Pakroujo
Project manager	Carl Bro as
Project description	The long-term objective of the project is to extend the water supply and sewerage in the municipality of Pakroujo in Lithuania. The immediate project objective is to establish a feasibility study, which can ensure a cost efficient prioritisation of the necessary investment components and ensure their financing.
Environmental effect (expected)	The environmental effects of the project cannot be assessed at present, but the project is prerequisite to a cost efficient extension of the water supply and sewerage in the Pakuojo district with 30,000 inhabitants.
Grant	DKK 1,221,223
Total costs	DKK 1,221,223

Project title	Programme proposal for the Danish television, documentary: ’Living with the Ignalina power station’
File no.	124/025-0199
Project manager	Jens Olesen
Project description	Jens Olesen from the Danish television is doing research in Lithuania and is writing the script for the TV documentary 'Living with the Ignalina power station'. The Danish television takes a sympathetic attitude towards a later production of one or two television programmes on the subject, where a co-financing with the Danish Environmental Support Programme is expected. Thus the manuscript forms a central part of the Danish television's decision on the production and broadcasting of the programmes.
Environmental effect (expected)	No direct effect.
Grant	DKK 33,176
Total costs	DKK 33,176

Project title	Project Formulation Mission on Implementation of the EU Requirements
File no.	124/025-0201
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Carl Bro as
Project description	The formulating mission is to design a project with the overall objective of supporting Lithuania in the transposing of EU directives on the removal of PCB, waste oil and batteries. In co-operation with the Ministry of the Environment a draft for legislation in the sector is outlined, based on the assessment of legal flaws in the existing laws. Furthermore, a project document strengthening the implementation and enforcement of the EU laws is prepared. The team will discuss the implementation of the directives with relevant parties. The Ministry of the Environment has suggested, that the project includes a plan for the reckoning and field surveys of PCB/PCT occurrences in Lithuania, assesses the national capacity for collecting, storing and disposing of PCB/PCT, and improves the collecting system for batteries and wasteoil.
Environmental effect (expected)	No direct effect in this phase.
Grant	DKK 509,054
Total costs	DKK 509,054

Project title	Implementation of Natura 2000 Network on Regional and National Level, Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0202
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Ornis Consult
Project description	The purpose of the project is to strengthen the nature conservation work in Lithuania, particularly for species and habitats included in the EU Directive on birds (79/409) and the Habitat Directive (92/43) through the creation of a Natura 2000 network. This will be achieved through the preparation of a consolidated Natura 2000 list to be submitted to the EU Commission, the implementation of public hearings and information campaigns, and the strengthening of institutions managing the protection both nationally and locally. The framework for the appointment of a national Natura 2000 network is present, but in order to reach a complete compliance with the directives and the establishment of an administrative system to handle the enforcement and monitoring in connection the planned EU admission in January 2004, a prompt and efficient effort is needed. The involvement of plot owners and the public in general in the designation of Natura 2000 areas is also to be strengthened as part of the compliance with the requirements in the Aarhus Convention.
Environmental effect (expected)	Efficient conservation of species and nature areas comprehended by birds and habitat directives.
Grant	DKK 6,028,844
Total costs	DKK 6,481,944

Project title	Waste Management in the Vilnius Region, Phase 1
File no.	124/025-0203
Project recipient	The municipalities in the Vilnius region
Project manager	Rambøll as
Project description	In recent years the waste laws in Lithuania has been adapted so that it meets the EU requirements and standards. Among other things, these laws require that regional waste plans and concrete investment plans are worked out so that the laws can be implemented. The total project is implemented in three phases, this being the first. In this phase, the framework for a joint municipal waste co-operation in the Vilnius region is brought about, an overall waste strategy for the region is established, and a draft is prepared for an ISPA application for EU support on the implementation of the waste plan. In phase two the tender documents for the investment components in the plan will be prepared, while phase three is the actual implementation of the plan. It is expected that phases two and three can be financed by EU support funds.
Environmental effect (expected)	Through this project a regional waste plan will be prepared, which is a prerequisite for the waste management in the Vilnius region being implemented in compliance with the EU waste laws and standards. At the same time, the project brings about the institutional and financial framework for the implementation of this waste plan. The Vilnius region has a population of approx. 700,000 people.
Grant	DKK 3,392,316
Total costs	DKK 4,001,085

Project title	Reflection of Danish Environmental Projects in TV-programme ‘Stop-Nature’
File no.	124/025-0204
Project recipient	Television viewers in Lithuania
Project manager	Measures for Energy Saving
Project description	Production of 11 television programmes on the Danish environmental support for Lithuania. The programmes will be shown on the Lithuanian television during the fall of 2001 and the spring of 2002. The programmes are part of a series with a total of 44 programmes on assistance projects in Lithuania.
Environmental effect (expected)	The project increases the public knowledge on the environment, nature and energy in Lithuania.
Grant	DKK 250,000
Total costs	DKK 1,732,650

Project title	Project Design: Development of Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan, Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0208
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Rasmussen og Witthöft
Project description	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania has requested the Danish Environmental Support Programme for assistance on the implementation of a new strategy for coast protection. The integration of nature and landscape considerations, recreational considerations, and the sustainable utilisation of the coast zone are important elements in the project idea, to be elaborated and consolidated to a complete project document for tender by the formulation team. The recently prepared 'Lithuanian Baltic Sea Coasts Management Strategy' will form the basis of a more definite planning of coast protection measures, and a pilot implementation of parts of the plan is meant to be implemented in selected areas. It is particularly important that the requirements in the EU birds and habitat directives on nature conservation are incorporated, and that the conservation interests following the inscription of The Curonian Spit on the World Inheritance List are also met in the planning and implementation of the coast protection measures.
Environmental effect (expected)	No in this phase of the project.
Grant	DKK 424,171
Total costs	DKK 424,171

Project title	Review and Preparation of Project on Development of Inspection and Enforcement
File no.	124/025-0209
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	NIRAS
Project description	An evaluation of a pilot project for the development of inspection and enforcement of the environmental laws in Lithuania constitutes the basis for the design of a project for the preparation of relevant IT solutions for all the regional offices of The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania. The regional authorities will strengthen in their ability to monitor industrial firms through the installation of IT infrastructure, GeoEnviron Industry Control Module, training of staff in the use of IT, and development of procedures for enforcement.
Environmental effect (expected)	The project preparation will have no direct environmental effects, but an improved inspection in consequence of the total project's implementation will reduce the pollution from industrial companies.
Grant	DKK 407,620
Total costs	DKK 407,620

Project title	Transposition of the EU Water Framework Directive, Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0217
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Carl Bro as
Project description	The project is aimed at the first phases of the implementation of the water framework directive. It comprises the transpositioning of the water framework directive to national Lithuanian law and the preparation of a national strategy for the management of water resources. It is co-ordinated with other international and national activities in the area. The implementation of the water framework directive is to be done in phases over the next 15 years in all EU member countries, and as a future member of the EU the water framework directive is also to be implemented in Lithuania.
Environmental effect (expected)	The project will contribute to the compliance of the EU environmental requirements and regulations on administration and management of water resources.
Grant	DKK 4,057,313
Total costs	DKK 4,357,313

Project title	Preparation and Supervision of the Implementation of Energy Saving and Cleaner Technology Projects in 14 Industries
File no.	124/025-0218
Project recipient	DEPA
Project manager	Water & Power Planners
Project description	Evaluation of fourteen energy and cleaner technology audits in preparation for the identification and contracting of investment grants. Final reports from fourteen companies will be examined, suitable investment projects will be identified, and investment grants will be negotiated with the companies. Applications to the Danish Environmental Support Programme will be worked out and the implementation of the projects will be supervised.
Environmental effect (expected)	No direct effect.
Grant	DKK 1,248,384
Total costs	DKK 1,248,384

Project title	Formulation of Project Document on Implementing the CITES Convention and the Related EU Legislation in Lithuania
File no.	124/025-0219
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	NIRAS
Project description	Based on the prepared terms of reference the mission will cooperate with the Lithuanian authorities, NGOs and other stakeholders to identify and formulate a project document, so that the implementation of this will support Lithuania in an efficient enforcement of the CITES convention in the best possible way.
Environmental effect (expected)	With an efficient enforcement of the CITES convention and the related EU regulations, it is expected that the traffic in threatened animal and plant species can be reduced and thereby contribute to the conservation of the biodiversity in the species' countries of origin.
Grant	DKK 241,122
Total costs	DKK 241,122

Project title	Local Project Co-ordinator, Lithuania, 2002-2003
File no.	124/025-0220
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania
Project manager	Envas
Project description	As arranged with The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania the employment of the local project co-ordinator in the ministry is prolonged for the period 2002-2003. The project co-ordinator will assist the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania in the coordination and strengthening of the effort in relation to the Danish Environmental Support Programme.
Environmental effect (expected)	Cannot be quantified.
Grant	DKK 1,058,824
Total costs	DKK 1,058,824

Project title	Environmental Education, Lithuania
File no.	129-0257
Project recipient	The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania and the Lithuanian Ministry of Education
Project manager	Modus Consult
Project description	The Lithuanian educational system is in a period of change, where reforms of educational instruments and methods have been implemented. This project will support this development by introducing an integrated environmental educational system with alternative approaches to teaching, new types of educational material and field work.
Environmental effect (expected)	A considerable increase of the competence and experience with integrated environmental education in the Lithuanian school system and the integration of protected sites and the like in the general environmental information work.
Grant	DKK 241,090
Total costs	DKK 241,090