engleski

A Role of Local Government in Marine and Coastal Protection: The Primorsko-Goranska County Case

Despite the fact that improper and destructive human relation towards the environment poses rather global and universal problem, we have to distinguish various characteristics of particular regions and areas. Diversity of the problems commonly implicates necessity of “site specific” approach in looking for appropriate environmental solution. If we put socio-political and economic context together with natural particularities of an region such as Primorsko-Goranska County, interdisciplinary approach in creating environmental policy emerges by itself. Therefore, this paper tends to subsume the most significant factors that have the influence on marine and coastal environment, the most important and substantial natural resource of the Primorsko-Goranska County. This paper is drafted as a collection of interrelated separates that should finally form an comprehensive environmental assessment gained through the several different aspects. Thus, it includes both legislative and practical aspects of coastal/marine protection by using of regional approach, i.e. the framework herein is jurisdiction of a county as an administrative unit. Special attention is given to the substantial environmental protection documents whose issuance/adoption is ordered by law (such as Spatial Plan of Primorsko-Goranska County, Environmental Protection Program, contingency plans) as well as to specific protection institutes such as marine demesne or protected natural areas. In addition, paper describes the paths to built-in the principles of sustainability and environmental conservation into decision making process. The fact that the authors of proposed paper are the persons who are directly involved either in scientific researches and drafting the environmental documents, or in enforcing of both national and local environmental laws and regulations gives an very good opportunity to include some “first hand” experience into the paper. Finally, the joint work of the people from a different branches who are sharing the environmental concern should widen their understanding of global environmental problem and - in the same time - benefit the community where the threats of transition period request a common and resolute respond.

environment; biodiversity; coastal protection; marine protection; Adriatic Sea

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