Case Studies - Coastal Lagoons: Ecosystem Processes and Modeling for Sustainable Use and Development - page 423

in the Kaliningrad area. A temporary economic slowdown and decrease in agricul-
tural production and harbor activities have contributed to a provisional improvement
in water quality on the Russian side of the lagoon and in downstream sections of
the Pregel River. However, insufficient manmade and natural water treatment capac-
ity will inevitably be the factor that limits future economic growth.

9.4.1.4 Issues Affecting Transboundary Management

Management difficulties are compounded by the fact that the Vistula Lagoon is
transboundary in nature, i.e., it is shared by two countries with different approaches
to water management.
Although the present political situation is much more favorable for cooperation
on transboundary lagoon management, a number of issues hamper effective co-
operation. These include several negative issues:

• Lack of tradition and experience—Historically, Baltic lagoons have not
been considered fragile resources in need of careful management; there-
fore, there is a lack of experience in lagoon management. In addition,
there is a tendency to manage resources on a sectoral basis, with little or
no history of cross-ministerial cooperation or cooperation between
national and local bodies. This is a common problem facing environmental
management in central and eastern European countries, but it is particu-
larly relevant to lagoon management because it entails the cooperation of
a number of sectors, including environmental, economic, spatial planning,
transportation, agriculture, and forestry.
• Differing economic interests and priorities—A relevant example is the
use of the Vistula Lagoon inlet (the Baltijsk Strait), which is on the Russian
side of the lagoon. The military use of the Baltijsk Strait, the only entrance
from the lagoon to the open Baltic, restricts its use for commercial activity.
This has led to discussions regarding the construction of a new channel
across the southern part of the Vistula Spit within Polish territory. 16
• Historical relationships and cultural differences between Poland and
Russia—To account for these differences, different strategies may be
needed on both sides of the Russian-Polish border to accomplish inte-
grated management objectives.
• Different administrative and legal systems in neighboring countries—The
bodies responsible for undertaking action and the legal and administrative
tools to be utilized to promote integrated management objectives differ
between the two countries. Local governments in Poland have been given
a significant number of new responsibilities, while administrative bodies
in Russia remain centralized. Responsibilities are diffuse and often unclear,
leading to a lack of transparency. The lack of integrated environmental
management experience is a shortcoming found on both sides of the border.

• Different mapping techniques and the use of different scales—Currently,

the available data necessary for management are generally not comparable
due to scalar differences, differences in procedures, etc.