Representatives from the European Commission visited Užava floodplains

Alsunga, 20 July. European Commission (EC) representatives have visited municipality of Alsunga in Kuldīga district as part of their site visits to LIFE-Nature projects in Latvia. They were introduced to the one of the sites of the project “Restoration of Latvian Floodplains for EU priority species and habitats”, heard local opinion about nature conservation and life in Alsunga. They also had a short look at habitat restoration works done in floodplains of protected area “Užavas augštece”.

Jānis Reihmanis from Latvian

Fund for Nature and owner

of "Bērzlejas" farm Jānis

Gornijs demonstrate for

delegation restored floodplains

Representatives from the European Commission visited Užava floodplains

Alsunga, 20 July. European Commission (EC) representatives have visited municipality of Alsunga in Kuldīga district as part of their site visits to LIFE-Nature projects in Latvia. They were introduced to the one of the sites of the project “Restoration of Latvian Floodplains for EU priority species and habitats”, heard local opinion about nature conservation and life in Alsunga. They also had a short look at habitat restoration works done in floodplains of protected area “Užavas augštece”.

This visit took place within the framework of the LIFE-Nature project „Restoration of Latvian Floodplains for EU Priority Species and Habitats” and the aim of this visit was to monitor the project activities after first 9 months of working. Alsunga municipality is involved in this project as a partner and represented all 22 project partner municipalities during this visit. European Commission was represented by desk officer Ms Anja Finne (responsible for monitoring of LIFE-Nature projects in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania). Among other participants we should mention representatives of external LIFE-Nature monitoring team  - Ms Alda Nikodemusa and Mr Rolands Ratfelders, and Ms Ilona Mendziņa from Ministry of Environment. Head of the municipality Mr Gunārs Bloks and project liaison officer Ms Santa Kreičmane represented Alsunga municipality. Discussions about different problems – beginning with employment possibilities in Alsunga municipality and ending with overall situation in Latvian countryside and how project could improve it took for about two hours. Problems related to restoration of floodplains in protected area „Užavas augštece” were discussed more in detail: problems with accessibility of floodplains, problems with involving of owners with small land areas, difficulties with selling hay, and many other things. At the beginning of the discussion, the head of local municipality did not seem to be very optimistic, especially when speaking about many actual problems for people that are beginning management of abandoned floodplains. 

Discussion in Alsunga castle,

where municipality is located

At the same time, when asked about most essential problems for Alsunga municipality comparing with other municipalities, Mr Bloks expressed his quite optimistic opinion: „We just need to take the saw and axe in our hands and just work!”. Following discussion in municipality, participants visited Užava floodplains – one of the project sites. These areas have been abandoned and unmanaged for decades, overgrown with dense bushes and even trees. With financial support from the LIFE-Nature project “Restoration of Latvian Floodplains for EU priority species and habitats” already more then 14 ha of floodplain meadows has been restored during last spring. .

Regional coordinator J.Reihmanis, authority chairman G.Bloks,

land suverior S.Kreičmane and landowner

J.Gornijs are discussing about floodplains management.

It is foreseen to restore about 445 ha of floodplain areas in protected area and Natura 2000 site „Užavas augštece” during next tree years within the framework of the LIFE-Nature Floodplain project. A bush cutting is planned in ca 145 ha and initial mowing will be done in ca 300 ha of territory. After signing the agreement about receiving funds for floodplain restoration, landowners are obliged to manage their floodplains for at least next 5 years, ideally for longer time future. They must be extensively pastured or mown not earlier then 10 July. 

Andris Klepers, public awareness coordinator