Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Legal Implications of Natural Floods Management: Lithuania Case Study

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation

Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 107))

  • 1049 Accesses

Abstract

Floods are a reoccurring global phenomenon. Practical implementation of flood risk management relies heavily on grey infrastructure with a lesser focus on nature-based solutions (NBS). With the rising awareness about ecosystem services, natural flood management measures are getting more attention from scientists and policymakers. Lithuanian authorities in the national flood risk management plan provide four NBS for flood management: afforestation, wetlands restorations, agri-environmental measures, and water retention in urban areas (e.g., ponds). However, implementation of the NBS requires more land than grey infrastructure. In the case of Lithuania, in some instances, the NBS require a change of the land use or impacts upon the private land. Therefore, it can be influenced by the legal regulations related to land use planning and protection of private property rights. The problems may occur in case of the insufficient, incomplete, incoherent, or contradictory legal framework. The analysis revealed that the Law on the Land, the Law on the Special Land Use Conditions, and the Law on the Territorial Planning are insufficiently coordinated, which may influence implementation of the NBS on the private property. The afforestation is foreseen only for the public land. However, those lands are mainly used for the agriculture, and in this case possibilities to change the land use are restricted. A similar problem may occur if the area for the afforestation lays within the protected area. The Law on the Protected Areas allows land use changes only in exceptional circumstances; the flood mitigation is not one of them. The incoherence or incompleteness of law, which can hamper implementation of NBS, can occur not only in Lithuania. Therefore, the study can be a starting point for further investigations and solutions in this regard.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 229.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    http://tarpukaris.autc.lt/en/search/image-archive/37/flood-in-kaunas-y-1926-jonavos-str.

  2. 2.

    https://en.delfi.lt/culture/sleet-inundates-klaipeda-city-south-turns-into-a-lake.d?id=76330011.

  3. 3.

    https://en.delfi.lt/culture/tuesdays-downpour-flooded-cellars-interrupted-traffic-power-supplies-photos.d?id=75198976.

  4. 4.

    https://www.15min.lt/en/article/in-lithuania/flooded-silute-district-declares-state-of-emergency-525-293339?fbclid=IwAR3tuPravxuuzL9arwHOI_WGox3mE364_1Wu64IE4qYqy2ot_XMK40xJEr0.

References

  1. IPCC (2014) Climate change 2014: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability; IPCC WGII AR5 chapter 23. IPCC. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/. Accessed 24 Aug 2020

  2. Kundzewicz ZW (2002) Non-structural flood protection and sustainability. Water Int 27(1):3–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060208686972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Wingfield T, Macdonald N, Peters K, Spees J, Potter K (2019) Natural flood management: beyond the evidence debate. Area 51(4):743–751. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Holstead KL, Kenyon W, Rouillard JJ, Hopkins J, Galán-Díaz C (2017) Natural flood management from the farmer's perspective: criteria that affect uptake. J Flood Risk Manag 10(2):205–218. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lane SN (2017) Natural flood management. WIREs Water 4(3):e1211. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Pescott O, Wentworth J (2011) Natural flood management. POST note 396. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-396/POST-PN-396.pdf

  7. Forbes H, Ball K, McLay F (2015) Natural flood management handbook. Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Stirling, pp 6–130

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cook B, Forrester J, Bracken L, Spray C, Oughton E (2016) Competing paradigms of flood management in the Scottish/English borderlands. Disaster Prev Manag 25(3):314–328. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-01-2016-0010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Möller I, Kudella M, Rupprecht F, Spencer T, Paul M, van Wesenbeeck BK, Wolters G, Jensen K, Bouma TJ, Miranda-Lange M, Schimmels S (2014) Wave attenuation over coastal salt marshes under storm surge conditions. Nat Geosci 7:727–731. https://doi.org/10.1038/NGEO2251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Sigren JM, Figlus J, Armitage AR (2014) Coastal sand dunes and dune vegetation: restoration, erosion, and storm protection. Shore Beach 82:5–12

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hartmann T, Slavíková L, McCarthy S (2019) Nature-based solutions in flood risk management. In: Hartmann T, Slavíková L, McCarthy S (eds) Nature-based flood risk management on private land. Springer, Cham, pp 3–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23842-1_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  12. Barber NJ, Quinn PF (2012) Mitigating diffuse water pollution from agriculture using soft-engineered runoff attenuation features. Area 44:454–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2012.01118.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. de Bell S, Graham H, Jarvis S, White P (2017) The importance of nature in mediating social and psychological benefits associated with visits to freshwater blue space. Landsc Urban Plan 167:118–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Waylen KA, Holstead KL, Colley K, Hopkins J (2018) Challenges to enabling and implementing natural flood management in Scotland. J Flood Risk Manag 11(S2):S1078–S1089. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Browder G, Ozment S, Rehberger Bescos I, Gartner T, Lange G-M (2019) Integrating green and gray: creating next generation infrastructure. World Bank and World Resources Institute, Washington

    Book  Google Scholar 

  16. Sheehan J (2019) Commentary: swapping development rights to prevent flood plain development in flanders: a legal architecture perspective. In: Hartmann T, Slavíková L, McCarthy S (eds) Nature-based flood risk management on private land. Springer, Cham, pp 99–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23842-1_10

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  17. Ferreira CSS, Kalantari Z (2019) Commentary: the Blauzone Rheintal approach from a natural Hazard perspective – challenges to establish effective flood Defence management programs. In: Hartmann T, Slavíková L, McCarthy S (eds) Nature-based flood risk management on private land. Springer, Cham, pp 161–167. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23842-1_17

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  18. Howgate OR, Kenyon W (2009) Community cooperation with natural flood management: a case study in the Scottish Borders. Area 41(3):329–340. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-4762.2008.00869.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Stonevicius E, Valiskevicius G (2018) Identification of significant flood areas in Lithuania. Water Res 45:27–33. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807817050116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2007 On the assessment and management of flood risks. Off J EC L 288, pp 27–34

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mikša K, Kalinauskas M, Inácio M, Pereira P (2021) Implementation of the European Union floods directive – requirements and national transposition and practical application: Lithuanian case-study. Land Use Policy 100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104924

  22. FRMP (2017) Flood risk management plan for the Nemunas, Lielupė, Venta and Dauguva river basin districts. (Potvynių rizikos Nemuno, Lielupės, Ventos ir Dauguvos upių baseinų rajonuose valdymo planas), Vilnius

    Google Scholar 

  23. WDP. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of February 1, 2017 No. 88 On approval of 2017–2023 Water Development Program (Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės nutarimas “Dėl vandenų srities plėtros 2017–2023 metų programos patvirtinimo”), Register of the legal acts (TAR), 2017-02-09, Nr. 2348

    Google Scholar 

  24. The Action Plan. Decree of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Lithuania. No. D1–375/3D-312 of 5 May 2017 regarding Approval of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Water Development Program for 2017–2023″ (LR Aplinkos ministro ir Lietuvos Respublikos žemės ūkio ministro įsakymas “Dėl vandenų srities plėtros 2017–2023 metų programos įgyvendinimo veiksmų plano patvirtinimo”), Register of the legal acts (TAR), 2017-05-08, No. 7777

    Google Scholar 

  25. Inacio M, Miksa K, Kalinauskas M, Pereira P (2020) Mapping wild seafood potential, supply, flow and demand in the Lithuania. Sci Total Environ 718:137356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137356

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Land (Lietuvos Respublikos Žemės įstatymas) No. I-446 of 26 April 1994, Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 1994, No 34-620

    Google Scholar 

  27. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Forests (Lietuvos Respublikos Miškų įstatymas) No. I-671 of 22 November 1994, Official journal (Valstybės žinios), 1994, No. 96-1872

    Google Scholar 

  28. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Territorial Planning of 12 December 1995, No. I-1120 (Lietuvos Respublikos Teritorijų planavimo įstatymas), Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 1995, No. 107–2391

    Google Scholar 

  29. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Protected Areas of 9 November 1993, No. I-301 (Lietuvos Respublikos Saugomų teritorijų įstatymas), Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 1993-11-24, No. 63–1188

    Google Scholar 

  30. The Republic of Lithuania Law on Special Land Use Conditions of 2018 No. XIII-2166 (Lietuvos Respublikos Specialių žemės naudojimo sąlygų įstatymas), Register of the legal acts (TAR), 2019-06-19, No. 9862

    Google Scholar 

  31. The Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania of 25 October 1992

    Google Scholar 

  32. Civil Code of the Republic of Lithuania of 18 July 2000, No. VIII-1864, Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 2000-09-06, No. 74–2262

    Google Scholar 

  33. Flood Risk Assessment and Management Procedure (2009) Resolution of the government of the Republic of Lithuania no. 1558 of November 25, 2009. On Approval of the Description of the Flood Risk Assessment and Management Procedure (Lietuvos Respublikos Vyriausybės nutarimas “Dėl potvynių rizikos vertinimo ir valdymo tvarkos aprašo patvirtinimo”). Off J (Valstybės žinios) 1446376

    Google Scholar 

  34. Dadson SJ, Hall JW, Murgatroyd A, Acreman M, Bates P, Beven K, Heathwaite L, Holden J, Holman IP, Lane SN, O'Connell E, Penning-Rowsell E, Reynard N, Sear D, Thorne C, Wilby R (2017) A restatement of the natural science evidence concerning catchment-based ‘natural’ flood management in the UK. Proc R Soc A. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2016.0706

  35. Pattison-Williams JK, Pomeroy JW, Badiou P, Gabor S (2018) Wetlands, flood control and ecosystem services in the Smith creek drainage basin: a case study in Saskatchewan, Canada. Ecol Econ 147:36–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.12.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Howe J, White I (2003) Flooding, pollution and agriculture. Int J Environ Stud 60(1):19–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207230304746

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Gunnel K, Mulligan M, Francis RA, Hole DG (2019) Evaluating natural infrastructure for flood management within the watersheds of selected global cities. Sci Total Environ 670:411–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Collentine D, Futter MN (2018) Realising the potential of natural water retention measures in catchment flood management: trade-offs and matching interests. J Flood Risk Manag 11(1):76–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Hümann M, Schüler G, Müller C, Schneider R, Johst M, Caspari T (2011) Identification of runoff processes. The impact of different forest types and soil properties on runoff formation and floods. J Hydrol 409(3):637–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.08.067

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Iacob O, Rowan JS, Brown I, Ellis C (2014) Evaluating wider benefits of natural flood management strategies: an ecosystem-based adaptation perspective. Nord Hydrol 45(6):774–787. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2014.184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Dittrich R, Butler A, Ball T, Wreford A, Moran D (2019) Making real options analysis more accessible for climate change adaptation. An application to afforestation as a flood management measure in the Scottish Borders. J Environ Manage 245:338–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.05.077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. European Commission (2009) White paper - adapting to climate change: towards a European framework for action, COM/2009/0147, European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  43. European Commission (2013) Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change. COM/2013/0216 final, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  44. European Commission (2019) Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) and the Floods Directive (2007/60/EC) Second River Basin Management Plans First Flood Risk Management Plans

    Google Scholar 

  45. European Commission (2003) Working document. The water framework directive (WFD) and tools within the common agricultural policy (CAP) to support its implementation, European Commission, Brussels

    Google Scholar 

  46. European Commission (2017) Science for Environment Policy (2017) Agri-environmental schemes: how to enhance the agriculture-environment relationship. Thematic Issue 57. Issue produced for the European Commission DG Environment by the Science Communication Unit, UWE, Bristol. Available at: http://ec.europa.eu/science-environment-policy

  47. The Rules on implementation of the 2014–2020 Rural Development Program’s measure “Agri-environment and climate” approved by the order of the Minister of Environment No. 3D/254 of 3 April 2015 (Lietuvos Kaimo plėtros 2014–2020 metų programos priemonės „Agrarinė aplinkosauga ir klimatas“ įgyvendinimo taisyklės) TAR, 2015-04-07, Nr. 5319

    Google Scholar 

  48. Schuch G, Serrao-Neumann S, Morgan E, Low Choy D (2017) Water in the city: green open spaces, land use planning and flood management – an Australian case study. Land Use Policy 63:539–550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.01.042

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Donofrio J, Kuhn Y, McWalter K, Winsor M (2009) Water-sensitive urban design: an emerging model in sustainable design and comprehensive water-cycle management. Environ Pract 11(03):179–189. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1466046609990263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Pereira P, Barcelo D, Panagos P (2020) Soil and water threats in a changing environment. Environ Res 186:109501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2020.109501

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Decree (2012) Decree of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania No. D1–23 of 11 January 2012 regarding the approval of the report on preliminary flood risk assessment (LR Aplinkos ministro įsakymas dėl preliminaraus potvynių rizikos vertinimo ataskaitos patvirtinimo), Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 2012, No. 9–348

    Google Scholar 

  52. Cirillo G, Albrecht J (2015) The importance of law in flood risk management. In: Brebbia CA (ed) River Basin management VIII. WITPRESS, pp 91–102. https://doi.org/10.2495/RM150091

  53. Tarlock D, Albercht J (2018) Potential constitutional constrains on the regulation of floodplain development. J Flood Risk Manage 11:48–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. The Constitution of the Republic of Poland of 2 April 1997

    Google Scholar 

  55. Frankiewicz A (2009) Konstytucyjna regulacja własności w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej. Studia Erasmiana Wratislaviensia 3:178–193

    Google Scholar 

  56. Ruling of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Lithuania of 19 September 2002, No. 34/2000–28/01

    Google Scholar 

  57. Löschner L (2019) Commentary: a spatial planning perspective on privately funded natural water retention measures. In: Hartmann T, Slavíková L, McCarthy S (eds) Nature-based flood risk management on private land. Springer, Cham, pp 77–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23842-1_1

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  58. Rouillard JJ, Ball T, Heal KV, Reeves AD (2015) Policy implementation of catchment-scale flood risk management: learning from Scotland and England. Environ Sci Pol 50:155–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2015.02.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Jack BK, Kousky C, Sims KRE (2008) Designing payments for ecosystem services: lessons from previous experience with incentive-based mechanisms. Proc Natl Acad Sci 105(28):9465–9470. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0705503104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Fish RD, Ioris AAR, Watson NM (2009) Integrating water and agricultural management: collaborative governance for a complex policy problem. Sci Total Environ 408(23):5623–5630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Construction (Lietuvos Respublikos statybos įstatymas) No. I-1240 of 19 March 1996, Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 1996, No. 32-788

    Google Scholar 

  62. Decree of the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuanian No D1–8 of 2 January 2014 on the approval of the Rules on Preparation of Integrated Spatial Planning Documents (LR Aplinkos ministro įsakymas dėl Kompleksinio teritorijų planavimo dokumentų rengimo taisyklių patvirtinimo) Register of the legal acts (TAR), 2014-01-06, No 25

    Google Scholar 

  63. Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania No 569 of 23 May 2012 on approval of the National Forestry Sector Development Program 2012–2020 (LR Vyriausybės nutarimas dėl nacionalinės miškų ūkio sektoriaus plėtros 2012–2020 metų programos patvirtinimo) Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 2012-05-30, No 61–3058

    Google Scholar 

  64. Schiavello A (2001) On “coherence” and “law”: an analysis of different models. Ratio Juris 14(2):233–243. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9337.00179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Schiavello A (2011) Neil MacCormick’s second thoughts on legal reasoning and legal theory. A defence of the original view. Ratio Juris 24(2):140–155. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9337.2011.00480.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Metz F, Angst M, Fischer M (2020) Policy integration: do laws or actors integrate issues relevant to flood risk management in Switzerland? Glob Environ Change 61:101945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2019.101945

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Rounswell MDA, Reginster I, Araújo MB, Carter TR, Dendoncker N, Ewert F, House JI, Kankaanpää S, Leemans R, Metzger MJ, Schmit P, Smith P, Tuck G (2006) A coherent set of future land use change scenarios for Europe. Agric Ecosyst Environ 114(1):57–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2005.11.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Environmental Protection (Lietuvos Respublikos Aplinkos apsaugos įstatymas) No. I-2223 of 21 January 1992, Official Journal (Lietuvos Aidas), 1992, Nr 20-0

    Google Scholar 

  69. The Republic of Lithuania Law on the Protected Species of Animals, Plants and Fungi (Lietuvos Respublikos saugomų gyvūnų, augalų ir grybų rūšių įstatymas) No. VIII-499 of 6 November 1997, Official Journal (Valstybės žinios), 1997-, No. 108-2727

    Google Scholar 

  70. Pereira P, Bogunovic I, Munoz-Rojas M, Brevik EC (2018) Soil ecosystem services, sustainability, valuation and management. Curr Opin Environ Sci Health 5:7–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Bornschein A, Pohl R (2018) Land use influence on flood routing and retention from the viewpoint of hydromechanics. J Flood Risk Manag 11:6–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Dixon SJ, Sear DA, Nislow KH (2019) A conceptual model of riparian forest restoration for natural flood management. Water Environ J 33:329–341. https://doi.org/10.1111/wej.12425

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of International and European Union Law, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Katažyna Bogdzevič

  2. Environmental Management Laboratory, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Marius Kalinauskas, Miguel Inacio, Eduardo Gomes & Paulo Pereira

Authors
  1. Katažyna Bogdzevič
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Marius Kalinauskas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miguel Inacio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eduardo Gomes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Paulo Pereira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Geography and Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Carla S. S. Ferreira

  2. Department of Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Engineering (SEED), KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

    Zahra Kalantari

  3. School of Spatial Planning, Fachgebiet BBV, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany

    Thomas Hartmann

  4. Environmental Management Center, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania

    Paulo Pereira

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bogdzevič, K., Kalinauskas, M., Inacio, M., Gomes, E., Pereira, P. (2021). Legal Implications of Natural Floods Management: Lithuania Case Study. In: Ferreira, C.S.S., Kalantari, Z., Hartmann, T., Pereira, P. (eds) Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Mitigation. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 107. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2021_768

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation