Updates on legislation from around the region by Jerome Simpson, jsimpson@rec.org Albania A number of new laws are expected in Albania over the coming years, thanks to EC support for a new project that focuses on institutional strengthening and improving the legal framework for environmental protection. Drafts being prepared by the National Environmental Agency (NEA) include a Law on Air Protection, Law on Norms and Standards for Air Emissions and a Law on the Environmental Protection of Marine Zones from Pollution. Within two months (May 2000), the package of draft laws will be sent to the Council of Ministers. Other laws for protected areas, nature and biodiversity protection, environmental impact assessment and a draft regulation for environmental monitoring are at the final stages of drafting and will shortly be ready for distribution and comment. Bajram Mejdiaj, a lawyer at the National Environmental Agency, contributed to this article. Bulgaria Bulgaria's new Water Law was finally adopted last July after several years of drafting and revision. The law will establish water resource administration based on river basins and six Basin Directorates. It is recognised as a major step in approximating Bulgarian law to EU standards and the proposed EU Water Framework Directive. The Water Law (summarised in more detail in The Bulletin, Vol. 8 no.2) was cited recently as "probably the most far-reaching yet undertaken in Central and Eastern Europe" by the European Environmental Law Review. The new law came into force January 28, 2000. Copies are available from the REC. Czech Republic A January 5 report in Radio Prague E News stated that Czech ministers have begun preparing a new law on the protection of the environment. The current Act No. 17 on the Environment dates back to 1992. The law will provide a single framework for environmental legislation, harmonised to EU standards. Work started in early 1999 with the support of the Dutch government and the Czech Ministry of the Environment and will likely continue through to 2002. Drafting is already underway with the support of the Institute of Environmental Policy.  The country's new Freedom of Information Act came into force on January 1, 2000 and will serve to complement the existing Law No.123 on Environmental Information. In particular, it further strengthens the public's right to claim information from the country's authorities, either verbally or in writing through email, fax and telephone, and to take steps if authorities fail to adequately comply. A new law on municipal administration requires new "self-governing regions" to be set up by January 1, 2000, served by regional governments of between 40 and 60 members, depending on the size of the region. Fourteen regions have since been established. However, there has been no change made within any existing municipal institutions. This will be subject to a new series of laws that were approved in early March by the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament (now awaiting Senate and presidential approval). Regional institutions should be effective from January 1, 2001, with elections for representatives anticipated for November 2000. Regional governments will thus complement the more than 6,000 municipal self-governing bodies already established in the Czech Republic.  Several other new ordinances and agreements came into force in 1999. Government Ordinance No.100/1999 on flood protection came into force on July 1. According to the European Environmental Law Review (Oct 1999, Vol.8, No.10 -from which all the following news items are summarised), the ordinance sets out obligations for minimising the effects of floods and emergency preparedness. Given that the Czech Republic suffered considerably in recent years from flash flooding, flood protection plans will now need to be prepared by all government departments and local authorities. Ordinance No.47/1999 came into force March 11, detailing payments from polluters for the release of contaminants into surface waters. Related to this, Ordinance No. 82/1999 was subsequently passed, setting out the maximum levels of contaminants which can be released. Regarding waste, Government Ordinance No.31/1999 came into force July 1, listing those products and packaging which must be returned to and recycled by distributors within one year of disposal. The list includes batteries, light bulbs, tires, bottles, cans and transport packaging (e.g. barrels and sacks). Finally, the governments of Germany and Poland have formally agreed, according to Announcement No. 53/1999 and 44/1999 respectively, to cooperate, reduce cross-border pollution and share information with regard to environmental protection with the Czech government.  FYR Macedonia The Law on Public Works (1997), the Law on Waste (1998) and the Law on Public Hygiene and Communal Solid and Technological Waste Gathering and Transport (1998), as well as a complete set of notes and legislation inventory, have been made available within a recent Ministry of Urban Planning, Construction and Environment publication entitled Collection of Legislation Sets in the Field of Communal (Public) Works.

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