site.btaClean Ambient Air High on Government's Priority List in Environment Area

Sofia, August 22 (BTA) - "All local authorities must identify air pollution abatement as a prime concern," Bulgarian Environment and Water Minister Neno Dimov told a news conference here on Tuesday, outlining the Government's priorities in environmental protection.

Dimov recalled that 3 million leva have been allocated under Operational Programme Environment for updating the municipalities' clean ambient air programmes.

Experts are developing a national programme for clean ambient air and a programme for reduction of certain specific emissions. The use of coal and briquettes for domestic heating is one of the key factors of air pollution. Legislative amendments must be passed to restrict sulphur and ash content in coal and briquettes.

There are plans to establish an information system on which air pollution data will appear in real time, Dimov said. A Scientific Council will be set up with the Minister as an effective platform for interaction to cope with environmental challenges.

Sustained efforts are being made for the establishment of regional waste management systems and encouragement of recycling at the expense of landfilling. One hundred and thirteen old municipal landfills which do not conform to requirements must be closed down. The Environment Ministry is assisting the local authorities in the process.

Six centres will be set up to raise public preparedness for response to flooding and ensuing critical situations.

"The Government is drawing up a policy of relaxing requirements that hamper economic development," Dimov said. "Ways to cut the requisite paperwork and waiting time are being sought. We will introduce a uniform methodology of risk assessment for major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances," the Minister said. Fourteen laws and 16 amendments will be revised to ease the administrative burden.

"In the water sector, we will be working for an improvement of wastewater treatment and management of drinking water resources," Dimov said. Investments amounting to 2,300 million leva are envisaged for the water and sewerage sector.

The Ministry will shortly approve a final national approach to management of Natura 2000 protected areas, Dimov said. As he put it, "a balance of the disparate interests should be sought".

"Bulgaria will continue to honour its commitments in the fight against climate change," the Environment Minister asserted.