The Ministry of Environment and Water published for consultations and written opinions by the public the draft maps of the areas under threat and hazard of floods for the Danube, the Black Sea, East Aegean, and West Aegean basin water management regions. This practically started the implementation of the second stage of the Floods Directive and created conditions to prevent the next stage of infringement procedure against Bulgaria.

The maps were developed in compliance with the requirements of European and Bulgarian legislation - the Floods Directive and the Water Act, under a project funded by the Operational Program “Environment 2014-2020”. They are prepared for each of the identified areas with a significant potential risk and hazard of floods, and in accordance with legal requirements must be updated every 6 years and submitted to the European Commission.

The draft maps are published on the websites of the basin directorates, but can also be accessed through the website of the Ministry at:

https://www.moew.government.bg/bg/vodi/planove-za-upravlenie/planove-za-upravlenie-na-riska-ot-navodneniya-purn/planove-za-upravlenie-na-riska-ot- navodneniya-2022-2027/

Interested parties may send opinions, proposals, recommendations, and comments by April 26, 2022 separately for each basin management area to the address of the relevant basin directorate. The active participation of all competent authorities, stakeholders, and the general public is key to validating maps of areas at risk and hazard of floods.

With the announcement of the consultations and written opinions on the draft, a significant step has been taken to overcome the delay in their review and update, which is why in early February the European Commission started an infringement procedure against our country.

After the expiration of the deadline for consultations and reflection on received comments, the final version of the maps of the areas under threat and risk of floods will be prepared and published. This will allow the Republic of Bulgaria to fulfill its commitments to submit the maps to the European Commission by September, and will thus avoid the risk of further unfolding of the infringement procedure.