Caspian Sea 2011

State of the Environment of the Caspian Sea

protection, fines for negative environmental im- pact and environmental performance indicators assessment of the; increase of the efficiency of state environmental control, as well as greater interaction with public environmental organiza- tions in order to involve them in the resolution of environmental problems in the Russian Federa- tion. (Questionnaire RF 2010). Turkmenistan: According to the questionnaire, the public is regularly informed about conser- vation in the Caspian Sea region and the area’s resources. Such information is published in the «Neutral Turkmenistan» (HT) newspaper and also in «Turkmenistan» magazine.

In 2003, an Interdepartmental Commission for stabilizing and protecting the environment was established. The purpose of the Commission was to strengthen coordination of various en- vironment protection activities spread between different ministries, agencies and departments (UNECE 2008). Three meetings of the Interdepart- mental Commission were held, with broad public participation. These meetings addressed issues concerning environmental safety in connection with oil operations in the Caspian Sea and also environmental issues linked to economic activi- ties in the Caspian reserve zone. Following the Commission’s recommendations, additional envi- ronmental measures were included in draft laws on subsoil, exploitation of subsoil resources and oil operations (Questionnaire KZ 2010). It was reported that representatives of civil so- ciety took an active role in Environmental Im- pact Assessment discussions, which included issues relating to the development of offshore hydrocarbon deposits (Questionnaire KZ 2010). A lot of work was reported to have been done at the local level in terms of education and rais- ing awareness on environmental issues. In Atyrau oblast in 2006, schoolchildren were awarded di- plomas and given gifts for promoting awareness in environmental protection. In Mangystau oblast, “Mangystau ecotourism” magazine has been pub- lished in three languages. Russian Federation: The Government of the Russian Federation in November of 2008 has adopted the “Concept of Long-Term Socio-Eco- nomic Development of the Russian Federation until 2020.” The Concept defines the goals of en- vironmental policy - a significant improvement in environmental quality and ecological condi- tions of human life, the formation of a balanced eco-oriented model of economic development and ecologically competitive industrial objects. In August of 2009 the Government approved a package of measures providing for improvement of: standardization in the field of environmental

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