LATVIA
Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Agency
Abstract
The State Agency “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Agency” (LEGMA) is
a governmental institution under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment of
Latvia. It ensures the implementation of the national policy in the areas of environment
protection, meteorology, climatology, hydrology and geology.
Legal text
LEGMA was established on 01.01.2005, according to the Order of the Cabinet of
Ministers, after the merge of three institutions: the former State Agency "Latvian
Hydrometeorological Agency", the Latvian Environment Agency and the State
Geological Service. The action of LEGMA is determined by the Statute approved by the
Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers.
Mandate: The main spheres of LEGMA activities are:
 to monitor and assess environment and hydrological, meteorological and
geological processes;
 to develop shared environment information system compatible with other national
information systems and international networks;
 to provide environmental information.
Budget and staff number: Agency has a budget of 5 231 945 LVL for 2007 and a staff
of 472 members.
Areas of responsibility in the areas of environment protection:
 development of environmental monitoring system in line with national and
European policy needs, international recommendations and guidelines;
 assessment of environmental quality and natural resources;
 report on environment quality, meteorological, hydrological phenomena,
warnings of dangerous and natural disasters, weather and hydrological
forecasting;
 environment laboratory testing,
 management of environmental data, maintenance of databases on water
resources and inland water quality, air emissions, air quality, chemicals, waste
management, protected nature areas, protected biotopes and species, and
polluted areas;
 maintenance of GHG emissions trading national scheme;
 supervision of subsoil resources and insurance of rational subsoil use;
 acting as the National Focal Point of the European Environment Agency (EEA)
within the European environment information and observation network (Eionet).
The Agency represents the Republic of Latvia within the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), operates as competent Latvian body for International
Forum on Chemical Safety (IFCS) as well performs executive functions in Latvia
implementing international conventions related to meteorology, hydrology
and environment, member of EUMETNET, EUMETSAT, ECMWF and
EurogeoSurvey.
Website: http://www.lvgma.gov.lv
Logo:
LEGMA structure