1. EXECUTIVE FOREST AGENCY FOREST SECTOR IN THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA EXECUTIVE FOREST AGENCY Executive Forest Agency, Bulgaria Forest ecosystem services 12-13.10.2015, kick off meeting, Sofia, EEA Project MetEcoSMap

2. FOREST COVER IN BULGARIA - Over 4,2 mln. hectares forestry territories; - 67% broadleaved forests; - Over 600 mln. m 3 total growing stock; - 14.5 mln. m 3 total annual increment; - 3.9 м3 - average annual increment per ha; - about 6 mln. m 3 annual harvesting; - Third richest in biodiversity country in Europe; - 11 nature parks and over 700 smaller protected areas; - Regarding their functions forests are divided as follows: - protective; - special; - economic. EXECUTIVE FOREST AGENCY

3. FOREST ACT (In force from 09.04.2011) The state policy in the area of forestry shall be performed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food through the Executive Forest Agency. The Executive Forest Agency is a legal person on budget support – second level budgetary spending unit. The Executive Forest Agency is directed by an executive director. The activity and structure of the Executive Forest Agency is determined by Rules of Procedure, adopted by the Council of Ministers.

4. EXECUTIVE FOREST AGENCY Separation of Functions 6 regional State Forest Companies/ local units – state forestry and hunting enterprises Forest Operations - sylviculture, maintenance of forest roads etc. Harvesting - Supervision of harvesting and other operations by private companies Sale of Timber Sale of non Timber Products Hunting and Fishing management operations Forest protection (fires & pests) New Business Development Ministry / Executive Forest Agency Forest policing (Policy & Strategy) Legislation Regulation/Control and inspection Forest inventory Support to private forest owners - extension services Forest protection – coordination, planning and control (erosion control, forest fire management) National data base Seed control Nature park management Research Management Functions Control and Administrative Functions

5. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE EXECUTIVE FOREST AGENCY MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD EXECUTIVE FOREST AGENCY 16 Regional Forestry Directorates Specialized Territorial Units Seed Control Stations (2) Forest Protection Stations (3) Experimental Stations (3) Nature Parks Directorates (11) Poplar Station “Gora” Forestry Magazine National Council on Forests 6 regional State Forest Companies 169 local units – State Forest Enterprises and State Hunting Enterprises

6. FOREST ACT (In force from 09.04.2011) Art. 4. Forest territories shall fulfill the following basic functions: 1. protection of soils, water resources and cleanness of the air; 2. maintaining the biological diversity of the forest eco-systems; 3.providing social, educational scientific, landscape and recreation uses for society; 4. protection of the natural and cultural inheritance; 5. production of timber and non-timber forest products; 6. regulation of climate and absorption of carbon.

7. Forest Ecosystem Services Forest Act: Chapter seventeen PUBLIC ECO-SYSTEM BENEFITS FROM THE FOREST TERRITORIES Art. 248. (1) Public eco-system benefits from the forest territories shall be the results from the specialized activities of its management. (2) Public eco-system benefits from the forest territories shall be 1. protection against erosion of soil from avalanches and floods; 2. guaranteeing the quantity and quality of water; 3. maintaining biological diversity; 4. scanning, noise conteminators take over and maintaining micro-climate; 5. providing conditions for recreation and tourism; 6. maintainig the traditional landscape; 7. protection of the natural and cultural heritage; 8. protection of infrastructure sites and equipment; 9. slowing down and regulation of impacts from the climate changes. Art. 249. (1) The public eco-system benefits under Art. 248, Para. 2, wher they are in favour of performing economic activity shall be paid.

8. Ecosystem services are recognised in Forest Law Drafting the Regulation on payments on ecosystem services in forest territories: Determination of the zones, from which the forest ecosystem services are delivered Determination of the payments /compensation/ of public forest ecosystem services; Definition of the way of payments for ecosystem services; Mode and methods for distribution of the payments, delivered from forest ecosystem services Conditions, when the forest ecosystem services shall be paid

9. Regional plans for the development of forest territorries 1. Borders of the zones which provide ecosystem services are determined 2. Land estates within the zones are determined 3. The economic activities within the zones are defined 4. The users of forest ecosystem sevices are defined

10. Methodology for valuation of forest ecosystem services Different methods and interpretations exists The special forestry activities, delivering the ecosystem services are determined The methods for calculation of the services The value of the ecosystem services to be paid by the business enities

11. Thank you for the attention!