PROBLEMS OF COASTAL EROSION PREVENTION IN LATVIA Līga Brūniņa, Mg.env., PhD student Pēteris Rivža, Dr.habil.sc.ing., profesor Latvia University of Agriculture.

PROBLEMS OF COASTAL PROBLEMS OF COASTAL EROSION PREVENTION EROSION PREVENTION IN IN

LATVIALATVIA

Līga Brūniņa, Līga Brūniņa, Mg.Mg.envenv., PhD student ., PhD student Pēteris RivžaPēteris Rivža, Dr.habil.sc.ing., profesor , Dr.habil.sc.ing., profesor

Latvia University of AgricultureLatvia University of Agriculture

Coastal processes along Latvia’s coastal areas during Post–Litorina time (2500–2000 years). Compiled by G. Eberhards and J. Lapinskis.

Characteristics Characteristics of Latvian Coastsof Latvian Coasts

Total length nearly 497km;Total length nearly 497km; Approximately 65%Approximately 65% of of coasts is under coasts is under

coastal erosion;coastal erosion; 1 million population living 5-10km 1 million population living 5-10km alongalong

coastal area;coastal area; Coastal area includes 24 Coastal area includes 24

municipalities;municipalities;

Characteristics Characteristics of Latvian Coastsof Latvian Coasts

45% of the Latvian seacoasts are located 45% of the Latvian seacoasts are located within the borders of Natura 2000;within the borders of Natura 2000;

20% are covered by cities and ports with 20% are covered by cities and ports with nearby territories; nearby territories;

90% of Coastal dune belt area consists of 90% of Coastal dune belt area consists of habitats under protection in Europe;habitats under protection in Europe;

15% represents priority habitats.15% represents priority habitats.

Latvian Coasts are dividedLatvian Coasts are divided1.1. Coast of the Baltic proper (nida to Cape Coast of the Baltic proper (nida to Cape

Ovīsrags c 183km)Ovīsrags c 183km)

2.2. Coast of the Irbe Strait (Cape Ovīšrags – Coast of the Irbe Strait (Cape Ovīšrags – Kolka c 70km)Kolka c 70km)

3.3. Kurzeme Coast (Cape Kolka to Jūrmala Kurzeme Coast (Cape Kolka to Jūrmala c 100km)c 100km)

4.4. South Coast (Jurmala to Skulte Harbour South Coast (Jurmala to Skulte Harbour c 74km)c 74km)

5.5. Vidzeme coast (Skulte to Ainaži c 60km)Vidzeme coast (Skulte to Ainaži c 60km)

Coastline of Latvia, including main rivers, harbours Coastline of Latvia, including main rivers, harbours and direction of integral sediment transportand direction of integral sediment transport

http://www.paic.lv/en/problemas_2.php

Influence of factors in 5 coastzonesInfluence of factors in 5 coastzones

FACTORSFACTORS 11 22 33 44 55

Coastal geological structureCoastal geological structure 33 33 33 33 22

Disappearence of ice zoneDisappearence of ice zone 33 33 22 22 22

Exposition to NW stormsExposition to NW storms 22 33 33 33 33

Exposition to SW stormsExposition to SW storms 33 00 00 22 33

Maximal water level 0,8-1mMaximal water level 0,8-1m 22 00 00 00 00

Maximal water level 1,9-2mMaximal water level 1,9-2m 33 22 33 33 33

Ports molePorts mole 33 00 33 22 33

Sediment deficit from riversSediment deficit from rivers 22 00 22 33 22

Comparing factorsComparing factors

Annual impact by ports (c 1-5 mill.m3) are similar to strong Annual impact by ports (c 1-5 mill.m3) are similar to strong storm appearing 1 in 3 years (in 2005 - c 3mill.m3)storm appearing 1 in 3 years (in 2005 - c 3mill.m3);;

Summary of these factors has been estimated that Latvia Summary of these factors has been estimated that Latvia lost till lost till 1000 1000 ha of territory.ha of territory.

Sea water levels have increasedSea water levels have increased during storm surges during storm surges (Liepaja, Pavilosta, Kolka, (Liepaja, Pavilosta, Kolka, Daugavgriva), while the average Daugavgriva), while the average sea level increasesea level increase has been negligible. The severe storm has been negligible. The severe storm season hasseason has increased (from October—November to increased (from October—November to February orFebruary or even March). Especiallyeven March). Especially characteristic are characteristic are JanuaryJanuary storms with positive air temperatures and a lack ofstorms with positive air temperatures and a lack of ground freezing and coastal ice formations (Eberhardsground freezing and coastal ice formations (Eberhards & & Purgalis 2008).Purgalis 2008).

The coastal policy in Latvia The coastal policy in Latvia

AAll the EU directives regarding NATURA ll the EU directives regarding NATURA 20002000;;

Protection Zone LawProtection Zone Law;; Law on Environmental Impact Assessment;Law on Environmental Impact Assessment; Construction LawConstruction Law;; RRegional level development programmes egional level development programmes

and local scale – municipal detailed and local scale – municipal detailed planningsplannings..

ICZM implementation in LatviaICZM implementation in Latvia

Still tStill the Latvian strategy for he Latvian strategy for ICZMICZM is is considered as part of National Spatial considered as part of National Spatial PlanningPlanning;;

Guidelines on Sustainable Coastal Spatial Guidelines on Sustainable Coastal Spatial Planning 2011-2017Planning 2011-2017 at the development at the development process;process;

New New TerritoryTerritory Spatial Planning Law at the Spatial Planning Law at the development process.development process.

Construction BoardCoastal border, km

No. of coast. protect.struct./year of install.

Types of coastal protection structures

Liepāja City c.13 1/2005 GabionsLiepāja Region 60 1/2002

1/-Gabions;Ferro concrete blocks

Nīca Municipality 22 0 -Ventspils City 12 1/1994 GreeneryVentspils Region 88 0 -Roja Construction 120 - Soft constructions, mainly, wickerworks; few

stone stacks; few large iron fortifications

Engure Municipality 20 2/2009 Geotextile with stones and sandLapmežciems Municipality

16 13/- 10 soft constructions, mainly, greenery; 3 - stone stacks

Rīga City 15 0 -Jūrmala City 32 2/- Soft constructions, mainly, greenery; gabionsSaulkrasti City 10 3/- Stone stack with rampart, concrete fortification,

stone and wood pole based fortificationCarnikava Municipality 18 0 -Salacgrīva and Ainaži Cities with rural territories

48 - Soft constructions, mainly, wicker works; stone stacks

Liepupe Municipality 17 10/1999-2009 Stone stacksSkulte Municipality 6 0 -

Main problems regarding ICZM in Main problems regarding ICZM in LatviaLatvia

NoNo analysis analysis of the influence of various of the influence of various sectors as well as the sectors as well as the economic and social economic and social studiesstudies on the quality and implementations on the quality and implementations of the spatial plans of municipalities and of the spatial plans of municipalities and districts have been carried out on a regular districts have been carried out on a regular basisbasis;;

Problems Problems due to fragmentation of land-due to fragmentation of land-owners’ structure along the coast resulting owners’ structure along the coast resulting in diverse interestsin diverse interests..

Project “Coastal protection against Project “Coastal protection against erosion in Liepaja WWTP”erosion in Liepaja WWTP”


topography, bathymetry, wind and waves regimes, streaming and topography, bathymetry, wind and waves regimes, streaming and water density, shoreline profile, geomorphology, sediment and geology water density, shoreline profile, geomorphology, sediment and geology as well as dredging performance, etc. as well as dredging performance, etc.

new elaborated mathematic one- and two-dimensional models were new elaborated mathematic one- and two-dimensional models were used in the frames of project provided for research of wave used in the frames of project provided for research of wave transformation, stream, load transport and shoreline reaction on transformation, stream, load transport and shoreline reaction on storms.storms.

The modelling area covered 7km long coastline and model was The modelling area covered 7km long coastline and model was provided for forecasting of erosion in the time period approximately 30 provided for forecasting of erosion in the time period approximately 30 years. years.

The results showed that 3 technically based alternatives are useable The results showed that 3 technically based alternatives are useable for protecting coastline from erosion, particularly one “Super-mole” for protecting coastline from erosion, particularly one “Super-mole” approximately 500m long, two wave-breakers and artificial shoreline approximately 500m long, two wave-breakers and artificial shoreline feeding with sedimentsfeeding with sediments..


feasibility study in order to find the best as well as economically and feasibility study in order to find the best as well as economically and technically justified solution where technical, maintenance, environmental technically justified solution where technical, maintenance, environmental protection and economic aspects where taken into account. protection and economic aspects where taken into account.

The technical aspects evaluate building possibilities and material availability The technical aspects evaluate building possibilities and material availability due to local individualities, the aspects of maintenance covered institutional due to local individualities, the aspects of maintenance covered institutional capacity, local shoreline management strategy as well as possibility to capacity, local shoreline management strategy as well as possibility to change dredging methods of Liepaja city portchange dredging methods of Liepaja city port..

The environmental impact assessment included observing of tourism, The environmental impact assessment included observing of tourism, fishing and biodiversity, especially on fish resources, and to weigh of fishing and biodiversity, especially on fish resources, and to weigh of nearest shoreline territories in the terms of cultural and nature monumentsnearest shoreline territories in the terms of cultural and nature monuments (Jewish Memorial).(Jewish Memorial).

The economic evaluation techniques particularly cost-benefit and cost-The economic evaluation techniques particularly cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis were used for ascertain the most effective effectiveness analysis were used for ascertain the most effective alternative. The discount rate, labour, material and maintenance expenses alternative. The discount rate, labour, material and maintenance expenses were taking account for the 20 year long time period. were taking account for the 20 year long time period.


The sensitivity analysis was made for verifying impact of mole (location The sensitivity analysis was made for verifying impact of mole (location and length) and nature (hidro-meteorological, granulometry of and length) and nature (hidro-meteorological, granulometry of sediments and transporting sufficiency) parameters on taken solution. sediments and transporting sufficiency) parameters on taken solution. During sensitivity analysis it was assumed that for 6 year time period During sensitivity analysis it was assumed that for 6 year time period the shoreline feeding will not be done and the existing coastal the shoreline feeding will not be done and the existing coastal protection solution will be supported, the mole will be built up within protection solution will be supported, the mole will be built up within one year, intermediary storm season and within it`s lifetime circa 60 one year, intermediary storm season and within it`s lifetime circa 60 year the evaluation of coastline configuration is permanent. year the evaluation of coastline configuration is permanent.

The analysis showed only two sensitive quantitative parameters The analysis showed only two sensitive quantitative parameters videlicet; length of mole and granulometry of sediments. For providing videlicet; length of mole and granulometry of sediments. For providing of sediments accumulation is not allowed to reduce length of mole of sediments accumulation is not allowed to reduce length of mole below 456m and the growth of shoreline will be affected if the size of below 456m and the growth of shoreline will be affected if the size of sand groin will be less than assumed.sand groin will be less than assumed.

Main resultsMain results General opinion – all coastal protection activities General opinion – all coastal protection activities must be must be

approved by Construction Board, in order to avoid erosion approved by Construction Board, in order to avoid erosion to even larger extent, especially in cases of hard-solution to even larger extent, especially in cases of hard-solution constructionconstruction;;

MMany of the coastal protection structures are illegal, any of the coastal protection structures are illegal, especially in cases of greenery and in hard-solution casesespecially in cases of greenery and in hard-solution cases;;

The research shows that alternating criteria such as The research shows that alternating criteria such as discount rate and inflation have a huge impact on expenses discount rate and inflation have a huge impact on expenses of alternatives in absolute values of economic model. Such of alternatives in absolute values of economic model. Such adjoining external factors like political decisions and adjoining external factors like political decisions and economic environment was recognized as those that have economic environment was recognized as those that have a major impact on absolute and relative expense values of a major impact on absolute and relative expense values of chosen alternative. chosen alternative.

RecommendationsRecommendations for futurefor future FFollowing steps should be taken by responsible authorities, ollowing steps should be taken by responsible authorities,

particularly the most important is developing of cooperation particularly the most important is developing of cooperation between related institutions, the common strategy in between related institutions, the common strategy in national level should be established, the guidelines for national level should be established, the guidelines for regional level management should be elaborated as well as regional level management should be elaborated as well as the further research is more than essential. The necessity the further research is more than essential. The necessity of consequent and forecasted budget line is a precondition of consequent and forecasted budget line is a precondition because of impact of the economic activities on gross because of impact of the economic activities on gross domestic product. domestic product.

The alternate criteria for economically based solution The alternate criteria for economically based solution should be defined for long term period. Therefore principles should be defined for long term period. Therefore principles of sustainable development require the using of of sustainable development require the using of economically based solution and criteria which shall be economically based solution and criteria which shall be established in national level.established in national level.

Recommendations for futureRecommendations for future

To carry out a comparatively evaluation of erosion To carry out a comparatively evaluation of erosion problems in Latvian coastal area and to problems in Latvian coastal area and to solve solve landownership and use problem along the coastline;landownership and use problem along the coastline;

To estimate the costs of wash off lands, taking into account To estimate the costs of wash off lands, taking into account added value, financial revenue as well as macroeconomic added value, financial revenue as well as macroeconomic and microeconomic factors; and microeconomic factors;

To appraise sustainable coastal protection possibilities and To appraise sustainable coastal protection possibilities and their necessity in concrete region determining the optimal their necessity in concrete region determining the optimal balance between satisfaction of needs and economically balance between satisfaction of needs and economically justified solutions;justified solutions;

To elaborate a damage calculation model for the costs of To elaborate a damage calculation model for the costs of coastal land loss caused by erosion, taking into account coastal land loss caused by erosion, taking into account both individual/private losses and optimizing the common both individual/private losses and optimizing the common balance of natural economics. balance of natural economics.

Спасибо за внимание!

PROBLEMS OF COASTAL EROSION PREVENTION IN LATVIA Līga Brūniņa, Mg.env., PhD student Pēteris Rivža, Dr.habil.sc.ing., profesor Latvia University of Agriculture.

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