Bauska Nature Park tidy up of territory

Summary

The Bauska County’s natural environment is a resource of active recreation and tourism. The Bauska County has several particularly protected areas, and the nature park „Bauska” (NATURA 2000 – EU protected natural area of 892.9 ha) is the most important of them. There are also several natural monuments and natural restricted areas. Investment in public property of Bauska local municipality, adjacent to private person’s property, is promoted by regulations on real estate tax rebate. The landowners can apply for a reduction of the real estate tax when implementing specific measures, such as tidying up the bordering territories, improving sidewalks, contributing to the construction or reconstruction of streets and/or children’s and sports grounds, water parks, sewerage systems etc.

Data and Facts - Contract

Participation: The territorial authority of Bauska is located in the central part of Latvia and Zemgale region, bordering the Republic of Lithuania, Iecava, Vecumnieki, Rundāle and Ozolnieki. The area of the county is 786.7 km2, of which 6.14 km2 is occupied by the city of Bauska. Forest areas occupy 17837.7 ha, agriculture utilized land 52970.5 ha. 
Involved parties: 
Local authority – responsible for paying the tidying up of territory. 
Landowners – carrying out the tidying up and getting reimbursement for it.
Management requirements for farmers: The landowners should follow the binding regulations of the Bauska local authority and Nature Protection Plan of the Bauska Nature Park. 
The Nature Protection Plan of Bauska Nature park defines the territories 1.) in which the work can be done without asking alignment with the Nature Conservation Agency and 2.) in which territories the activities should have approval from Nature Conservation Agency. 
Controls/monitoring: The results of the activities are monitored by the Bauska local authority. 
Risk/uncertainties of participant: 
Managerial risk – if landowners have not followed the binding regulations when applying for reimbursement and if they are not able to present the works done with justified documents etc.), cost reimbursement is not granted.

Context features

Landscape and climate: In the confluence of the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers, where the Lielupe River forms, many beautiful castles exist. The Nature Park “Bauska” has been established for the protection of natural, as well as cultural and historical heritage. The park unites the most important outcrops of calcareous earth in Latvia in a single protection complex, preserves the wilderness of parts of the Mūsa, Mēmele and Lielupe River, includes important spawning grounds of river lampreys and vimba fish as well as habitats of bats and hermit beetles of deciduous trees. In other words, many unique values can be found here, in and area being just a bit bigger than 1,000 hectares. 
The Nature Park “Bauska” forms not only a natural value, but represents also a very rich territory in terms of cultural and historical value. One of the most beautiful castles near Bauska is Mežotne Castle, with its special castle mound. It is located on the left bank of Lielupe River, opposite to Mežotne Castle, and just like in movies, it is protected by an 8- metre tall rampart and a moat. It is believed to be one of the biggest Ancient Semigallians’ fortifications where nowadays Mežotne Castle Mound Festival takes place on the third Saturday of May. A legend says that a Semigallians’ port had been here. Mežotne castle mound and Vine hill are connected by a wooden footbridge going along the bank of the old valley of Lielupe River. From May to October, Mežotne castle mound and Mežotne Castle are connected by a small pontoon bridge across Lielupe River allowing the easier reach of objects in both banks of the river. 
The rich world of the Nature Park “Bauska” can be discovered also during a cycle tour that leads cyclists from Bauska along the Lielupe River and allows the view and visit of the nearby castles, Bauska Castle, Rundāle Castle, and Mežotne Castle, as well as other objects. 
Farm structure: As regards agricultural entrepreneurship, Bauska County is first and foremost associated with agricultural production for local residents and guests. It must be acknowledged that the development of the agricultural sector in the region is an essential precondition for the sustainable growth of the territory, however, alongside traditional agriculture, also production, construction, transport, and service, as well as retail companies are successful in the region. In total, in 2018, there were 2,004 economically active companies currently registered in local authority of Bauska, of which 38% are farms, 41% are limited liability companies, and 9% are associations, as well as sole proprietorships.

Success or Failure?

In general, the result-oriented tax relief scheme, reimbursing landscape improvements, can be classified as a successful contract solution.
The municipality, through EU projects, concludes contracts with local businesses (farmers/landowners) to clean up the area. Also, the Hunters' and fishermen's association of Bauska announces tenders for entrepreneurs to clean the Lielupe river bed. Practically, however, local landowners are often hampered to take advantage of this opportunity as they need to prepare a large number of documents before starting work.

Reasons for success :

• It is an innovative program supporting the tidying up of the territory – it stimulates active participation of landowners in the maintenance of clean and tidy local territory and the creation of clean environment.
• The reduction of the real estate tax is an attractive incentive for the landowners.
• The allowed/restriction activities are clearly defined in nature protection regulations.

SWOT analysis