Lake governance developments in Latvia: lake Lubans governing process studies applying governance system framing model
Authors:   University of Latvia, Konkovs Karlis Aleksandrs , Ikstena Rasa ,   University of Latvia, Zvera Ilze ,   University of Latvia, Ozolins Maris , Ernsteins Raimonds 
Published: February 2023

The overall frame of this research was the governance process of surface water resources in Latvia, particularly, public lakes, to be studied by applying triple dimensional governance framing model of complementary dimensions of governance stakeholders, governance content and governance instruments. Studies were realized in the area of Lake Lubans, administratively located on the border areas between two municipalities of Madona and Rezekne in the eastern part of the country. Lake Lubans is the largest lake in Latvia, as well as the largest dammed lake in Europe, included in surrounding NATURA 2000 nature reserve territory as also nationally largest inland protected wetland complex (Lubana Wetland/Ramsar site, 2009). Case Study Research methodology was applied by approaching the study area not only as a nature protection area but especially as a socio-ecological territorial and human system, using indepth semi-structured interviews in the surrounding areas/administrative territories with all main local-regional and also national stakeholder groups, as well as, applying document studies and territorial/objects’ observations. The National Nature Protection Agency’s Latgale region branch as the legal administrator supervises all nature protection territories in the region and also the Lubana Wetland, which is still lacking statutory Nature Protection Plan for the area; and, due to very limited administrative capacities, Agency is to be oriented more towards c ooperation with various other national and regional institutions from very different sectors, being organized under mainly two ministries involved – Environmental and Regional Development Ministry (nature, environmental, municipal and regional development sectors) and Agriculture Ministry (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, water infrastructure sectors), as well as, particularly, with many municipalities in the wetland area. But municipalities have to take into account also interests of local communities, the basic socio-economic development situation and possibilities, having also limited capacities, sometimes also approaches, which all is to be combined with strong nature protection requirements and limitations. This governance landscape requires co-relation of various and diverse interests and creates a rather fragmented and underdeveloped management of the lake. Lake water levels are fully regulated by the national Water infrastructure agency using dams and other hydro-technical systems, while water areas are used not only for highly popular angling, but also for active commercial fishing and various recreational activities, tourism, esp. bird watching etc., thus also keeping strong nature protection status in the same time, which all represent a unique challenge for to be developed multi-stakeholders and socioecological system (SES) approach for lake governance (assessment, planning, collaborative management, monitoring, and communication) developments in Latvia and alike.