Collected and assessed data about the territory (social, economic, natural and material resources etc.)

3.1. Collected and assessed data about the territory (social, economic, natural and material resources etc.):

The territory of LIG DEVNYA – AKSAKOVO is homogeny, geographically, transportation and culturally connected and has the necessary internal resources for economic development.

The rivers of the territory flow to the Black Sea. The only exception is Suha reka river (catchment basin of the Danube) flowing partially through the territory of Aksakovo municipality. Both municipalities border with the Black Sea – the north-east border of Aksakovo municipality goes north from the Golden sands complex (the most southern part of the municipality borders also the Varna lake), the south-west of Devnya municipality – Beloslavsko late which ensures access to sea roads. This gives grounds for both municipalities to be members of the Association of Bulgarian Black Sea Municipalities.

An important factor for preserving the traditional rural landscape appears the preservation of agriculture. The share of arable area of the agricultural fund for every one of Devnya and Aksakovo municipalities is bigger than the average for the country and at the same time is close, even though smaller than the average for the North-eastern region of planning and Varna district⁵. Soils.⁶ An important factor for preserving the traditional rural landscape appears the preservation of agriculture. The share of arable area of the agricultural fund for every one of Devnya and Aksakovo municipalities is bigger than the average for the country and at the same time is close, even though smaller than the average for the North-eastern region of planning and Varna district the agricultural lands and the condition of the soil cover appear to be the main precondition for the development of agriculture and animal breeding – traditional for the territory of LIG DEVNYA – AKSAKOVO. The agricultural practices preserve the specific view for the rural landscape. The traditions in the agriculture and the preserved rural image of the territory appear to be a resource for rural tourism development.

Devnya Municipality. According to the zoning of soils in Bulgaria the territory of Devnya municipalities falls into the zone of soils distribution from the Middle Bulgarian forest-steppe zone and characterizes with comparatively great soil diversity. The predominant soils on the territory of Aksakovo municipality are the black soils and gray forest soils in all their diversities. The remaining types of soils are insignificant.

The predominant soils on the territory of Devnya municipality are the carbon and typically black soils. They are characteristic for the lands of Aksakovo and the villages Ignatievo, Slanchevo, Dobrogled, Kichevo and Klimentovo. The typical black soils in Aksakovo municipality are not that common – they are present only in the villages of Slanchevo and Pripek. The carbon and typically black soils are appropriate for growing cultures with vegetation period matching the winter and spring maximum of soil moist.

In the north-west part of Devnya municipality significantly common are the low-productive soils inappropriate for farming. In the central parts of the municipality common are the diluvia meadow soils with comparatively good contents of humus. The Peat-bog soils are common on the territory of the “Yug” industrial zone.

On parts of the soils on the territory of Devnya municipality established are ponding common mainly near the Provadiyska river and the upstream of Devnenska river. They are intensive in the event of snowfalls melting in the spring and in the autumn when falls are high, when the evaporation is least the rivers are deep.

Established are three types of contaminated soils on the territory of Devnya municipality according to the type of polluters:

- soils polluted with gas, aerosols, dust in the atmosphere coming from the chimneys. Established is Ca and Mg accumulation in the surface layers of the soils result of contamination from the cement and sodium plants which leads to increase the pH values. Most actively affected are the lands to 1800 m from those plants;

- soils polluted with liquid waste containing a very rich range of polluters, dissoluted in soils of alkali and alkaline earth metals;

- soils contaminated with solid waste - tailings, sludge, FGD ash, pyrite butts, phosphogypsum, pyrite and sulfur residues and others. Solid wastes are rich in silicon, iron, aluminum and heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, mercury) and arsenic.

Established are also three types of degraded soils (temporary damaged):

- saline. Secondary saline are the soils around the sguroshlamootval and near the brine as well as the drillings, the salt mine and the salt-pans (located outside the Devnya Municipalities). The total size of saline soils is 215,9 ha;

- eroded. The total area of ​​moderately and heavily eroded soils is 624.6 hectares or 7.03 percent of the land within the municipality;

- acidified and alkalized. Acidification of soils in low levels is present about the phosphogypsum landfill. It’s due to contamination with surface acid waters. Widespread is the soil’s alkalization from polluted industrial waste waters. Observed is on the trace of Solvey Sodi pipeline to the sguroshlamootvala Padina.

Risk with review of contamination is soils in the parts on the territory of Aksakovo municipality near the industrial zones and the Hemus Highway trace.

From collected soils samples, undertaken chemical analysis for the contents of heavy metals – on lead, copper, zinc, cadmium and others in 1982 and in 1990-91 a conclusion was made that the contents of heavy metals is within the permissible norms of values and it has not changed the soils fertility. The same applies to organic contaminators. Research made by the N. Pushkarov Institute and the Hygiene Institute show that the acidic oxides (sulfur and nitrogen) in the surface air have not caused any measurable impact on the soil reaction.

In the village of Dobrogled (Aksakovo municipality) there were pesticides left out in the open for years with unknown contents and quantity which have already lost qualities. The danger of soil contamination in this region was not checked with respective analysis probably because at 2003 the land there was not farmed including after the repair of the pesticides warehouse and their transfer in it.

A serious problem of the Aksakovo municipality is the contamination of agricultural land by non-regulated landfills which are almost in every village. None of them are located in gullets with constantly flowing water, on green spaces or on opened levelled places with free access of people and animals.

During the last 15-2 years no monitoring of soils was conducted on the territory of the Aksakovo municipality regarding erosion, salting and acidification and it cannot be determined are there any eroded lands on the municipal territories or such in danger of erosion processes. The data of the watering area of Devnya municipality in the issue of National Statistical Institute are not up-to-date. Even though it’s stated that no more than 16% of the arable land in Devnya municipality is watered (above the average for the country, northeast planning region and the area), up to this day the watering facilities are not functioning and this value shall be accepted to be 0⁸. The watering area of Aksakovo municipality is significantly below the average of the country, Northeast planning region and Varna district.

Water resources. For the purposes of LDS of LIG DEVNYA – AKSAKOVO water sources are reviewed in three directions:

• 
  with review of quality of life of the local population – as a resource for ensuing the population with drinking water;
  
• 
  as a resource for development of agriculture and the animal breeding;
  
• 
  as a resource for tourism development.
  

In the past in Devnya municipality established was watering system with area of 7 342 dca with proven efficiency – it is of the type of watering systems where the water is supplied in gravity direction or through single pumping with low energy consumption. Subsequently it was reduced to 2 280 dca and at the moment it is no longer used. Its impact and reconstruction represents a reserve before the development of the watering farming in the municipality. ¹¹

On the territory of Aksakovo municipality there are deep drillings with thermal water with debit of 130l/sec. They are not appropriate for drinking water supplies due to the high content of hydrogen sulfide but are used for greenhouses and other agricultural purposes. Currently a problem with the water supply is present in every village of the municipality due to the depreciated water supply network as well as the use of drinking water for watering the yards in the villages as well as the increase of seasonal demand - in the summer the population in villages increases in times. This practically impedes the animal breeding and the food processing industry. There are reserves of underground water resources for which development needed are substantial funds.¹²

The karst springs in Devnya municipality are known ever since ancient times and can serve for the development of the eco-tourism nowadays. The found water supplies in Aksakovo municipality (Batova River, Osenovska River, Suha reka River, micro-dams near village of Kumanovo, Zasmyanovo, Osenovo, Lyuben Karavelovo and Botevo) are an important resource for development of eco, fishing and recreation tourism. All surface waters on the territory of Devnya municipalities (Beloslavsko Lake, Devnenska River and Provadiyska River) are contaminated substantially above the permissible for the respective categories of water supplies and currently cannot serve for developing tourism. In the basis of this condition is the non-effective cleaning of the household and the industrial waste waters. For the waste water treatment plants to be in compliance with the normative requirements is connected to the significant expense of financial means and time. After the realization of these investments needed will be additional time for the improving the condition, especially the lake waters.¹³

A certain disproportion exists between the share of agricultural land in both municipalities while in Aksakovo municipality it is above the average for the country, Northeast planning region and the district, in Devnya municipality it is below those values. This is due to the greater share of the urbanized territories and territories for mining for the needs of production powers in the Devnya municipality (substantially above the average for the country, the region and the district). Because of the plants located on the territory of the municipality ensure working places for the population of Aksakovo municipality we consider this to be unifying the entire target territory.

A certain disproportion exists in the share of water areas in both municipalities. This share in Devnya municipality is higher than the respective regions of the country, the Northeast planning region and the district while for Aksakovo municipality it is significantly lower. It’s due to the territory of Beloslavsko lake located in Devnya municipality on which port Varna West operates, the stated in the above paragraph concerns regard in full to the difference described in this paragraph. Timbering has no great significance for the local economics at the moment.

The share of the forest fund is close to the value of both municipalities – over 1/5 of their territory but the values above the average for the country and the district and the share of Northeast planning region. ¹⁴. Up to this moment operates a forest cooperation which sells firewood.¹⁵ The presence of protected and recreation forests is a precondition for developing sustainable forms of tourism.

The transportation and related infrastructure are comparatively well-developed. The respective share of the territory for both municipalities is with values above the average for the country, planning region and the district.

In Appendix №21 described in details are protected territories.

In Appendix №22 presented are the most significant of them. This appears to be a precondition for a cultural tourism.

A railway passes only through the territory of Devnya municipality but implements exceptionally important connections for the territory of the LIG with regards to passengers transportation as well as cargo. Povelyanovo station is used to transport cargo and passengers, Devnya station – only for passengers and Kipra station implements the link to the border zone of Romania.

We shall note the huge role of cultural centers for the cultural life and traditions preservation of the target territory (summarized data about the cultural centers is provided in Appendix №23). On the territory of both municipalities function 26 cultural centers, there are no cultural centers only in the two of the smallest villages of the Aksakovo municipality. The members of the cultural centers consist of more than 3% of the residents from Devnya Municipality and more than 4% of the population of Aksakovo municipality. The existing folk units of the target territory develop their activity entirely through the cultural centers. The centers participate in the celebration of national holidays, church holidays and municipality celebrations and upon conduction of municipal folk festivals. They preserve, recreate and present local customs.

The population of the target territory preserves the traditional crafts such as production of dairy products, wine (municipal reviews of achievements are made on the Trifon Zarezan holiday) and home-made rakia. Certain practices exist of woodcarvers and coopers. Attempts are made to recover the stone-crafting.

Preserved is the traditional celebration of holidays such as Todrov Day, Lazarov Day, Christmas, Easter etc. Preserved is the tradition of national fights.

The non-economic sector is comparatively inactive on the target territory. After the culture centers big is the representation of school boards – four from Devnya municipality and 8 from Aksakovo municipality. One minorities integration organization operates an organization for integration of people with disabilities, one ecological organization and one organization for promoting civil society. Also operates and organization with objectives directly related to the psychological and social and psychological support of society. On the target territory clubs have established the Union of Pensioners in Bulgaria.

Ethnical composition¹⁷ of the population of the target territory characterizes with comparatively low share of Turkish population – 1,5% in Aksakovo municipality and 8.4% in the Devnya Municipality. At the same time official data strongly undermine ¹⁸ the share of gypsy population – as such are self-determining to be 6,6% of the population of Aksakovo municipality and 7% of the Devnya municipality. According to experts the population in Aksakovo municipality has a minor ethnical composition of above 1/3. From the minor groups predominant are the specific representatives of the gypsy minority – Romanian-speaking Christians (called kupanari or rudari). Their concentration is in town of Devnya and the village of Ignatievo, Lyuben Karavelovo, Izvorsko and Vaglen. According to experts from the municipal administrations for the gypsy minority characteristic is exceptionally high rate of unemployment.

Specific representatives of Bulgarian ethnos are immigrants from Bessarabia, having preserved their traditions from their places of origin, which also contributes to the cultural diversity of the target territory

• 
  As an important factor for the quality of life of local residents;
  
• 
  As a resource of development of sustainable tourist practices.
  

As oppose to most rural regions the territory of LIG DEVNYA – AKSAKOVO characterizes with comparatively good demographic characteristics. The total number of population of the target territory is 31 153 people at December 31^st, 2009 ¹⁹ and falls into permissible borders for establishing LIG. Characteristic of the population is the good value of the coefficient of gender cohesion – 1035 women to 1000 men in Devnya municipality and 1043 women and 1000 men in Aksakovo municipality with values of the district and the country respectively 1053:1000 and 1067:1000.

More than half of the population of the target territory (52,26%) lives in the two towns – Devnya and Aksakovo. On the basis of separate municipality exist a clear disproportion – more than 90% of the population of Devnya municipality is urban while the share of urban population in Aksakovo municipality is 36%. The explanation is logical and shall not be taken to be difference internal for the territory – Devnya municipality consists of 1 one and two village while the number of villages in Aksakovo municipality is 22. Noted shall be the comparatively beneficial age structure of the population in both municipalities (see Appendix №24). The share of the population in working age for both municipalities is below the average values for Bulgaria, the Northern planning regional and Varna district but this is significantly due to the population in working age – the share for each municipality is above the average for the country, the planning region and the district.

Overall for the target territory population at working age has comparatively high share upon expressed inter-municipal disproportions. Progressive is the age structure in Devnya municipality as a whole but the structure of population is regressive in village of Padina, additionally affected by the unpleasant ecological environment in the village as well as the passing of a road through the center servicing the Devnya plants and the port. In Aksakovo municipality progressive is the age structure in the villages with minor population (mostly Romanian – speaking gypsies) Ignatievo, Izvorsko, Lyuben Karavelovo as well as village of Vaglen. It’s stationary in the municipal center town of Aksakovo, mostly unpleasant is in the villages of the north-west part of the municipality.²⁰

The natural growth in the two municipalities is negative, on levels below the average for the country but above the average for the district (see Appendix №25.)²¹. The mechanic growth is positive (above the average level for the district in Aksakovo municipality and below the average in Devnya municipality) and final balance for both municipalities is positive.

As oppose to most rural municipalities the population of Devnya and Aksakovo municipalities is growing. This is thanks to the positive mechanic growth which compensates the negative natural growth. The mechanic growth in Aksakovo municipality explains in a significant degree the closeness to the district town and the possibility for work travels to it, and for Devnya municipality with the presence of production and transportation infrastructure of Varna agglomerate areal on the territory of the municipality.

The significant share of the population in working age is a guarantee for providing the business with workers. At the same time the regressive age structure in certain towns is a danger for the depopulation of part of the territory.

Health and social services. Educational infrastructure.²²

Health services. The only hospital on the target territory is “Multi-Profile Hospital for Active Treatment” AD, town of Devnya. It has 50 beds and regional functions – it services the population of Varna, Avren, Aksakovo, Beloslav, Byala, Valchi dol, Devnya, Dolni chiflik, Suvrovo municipalities. Taking into consideration the closeness to town of Varna the residents of Aksakovo municipality are services also by MPHAT “St. Anna” in which Aksakovo municipality takes part.

The outpatient care is provided by DCC with 10 beds in Devnya municipality and medical center with 2 beds in Aksakovo municipality. We shall note that the access to healthcare services is difficult for the residents of most of the villages from Aksakovo municipality.

As whole the places in kindergartens are enough.

On the territory of Devnya municipality there are 3 sports playgrounds – in Reka Devnya R.Q., Pvelyanovo R.Q. and village of Kipra. In the center of village of Padina in November 2009 opened is a new sports playground. The condition of the material base of the sports as whole is not satisfactory.²³

In Aksakovo municipality functioning are 3 sports complexes – two in Aksakovo and one in village of Ignatievo. The base is in bad condition. In some of the other towns (Kichevo) there were playgrounds but they are not maintained. This condition is not satisfactory especially for the needs of mass sports due to the insufficient capacity and unfavorable localization – distance from most small places of residents in the municipality. The maintenance of existing infrastructure of sports currently is insufficient. The common assessment regarding existing infrastructure of sports in the municipality is that it is not sufficient and does not ensure good sports conditions of the local population as well as additional attractions for the recreation and tourism.²⁴

Economic characteristics.

The economic image of the territory of LIG DEVNYA-AKSAKOVO is significantly determined by the production and transportation infrastructure of Varna agglomerate areal and the touristic infrastructure of the nearby Black Sea resorts. We shall note two important peculiarities – the concentration of population and the daily work trip.

The population is concentrated in three towns - town of Devnya (more than 90% of the population of Devnya municipality) and town of Aksakovo and village of Ignatievo (more than 55% of the population of Aksakovo municipality). At the same time these centers have good communication with town of Varna – town of Devnya is connected with the thorough a railway and inter-city bus lines with the district center while town of Aksakovo and village of Ignatievo have common urban bus lines with the district town, one of which ensures connection with the St. St. Konstantin and Elena and Golden Sands resorts. This concentration and transport connectivity explain the outgoing flow of daily work trips. There are no reliable statistical data of the outgoing work trips from Devnya municipality. Calculations show that at least 79% of the employed in Aksakovo municipality work outside the borders of the municipality – the employed on the territory of the municipality have been 2524 in 2008 at population of the municipality in working age 12968 and unemployment rate of 7,17%²⁵. According to some estimates 58% of the employed travel daily outside the territory.²⁶ Of them over 90 % daily travel to town of Varna and about 6 % for town of Devnya.²⁷

At the same time for Devnya municipality characteristic are the incoming daily work trips exceeding the outgoing – the economics of Devnya municipality has ensured 7370 working places in 2008 at population in working age 5662 and 4.23% unemployment rate.²⁸. According to data by the Regional Employment Directorate – Varna for previous years over 60% of the working places in the municipality are taken from the incoming working not only in the field of industrial production and transport but also in the administration and services.

Due to this reason interpreted shall be the statistical data about the number of enterprises and work places as per industrial sectors.

Processing industry has a great significance as an employer on the target territory – it ensures more than 38% of the work places. We shall note the differences for both municipalities – for Devnya municipality the significance is due to the chemical plants while for Aksakovo – the light industry, including food processing. The main representatives of the sector in Devnya municipality are Solvey Sodi AD (sodium production), Agropolihim AD (production of nitrogen fertilizers and raw materials for their production), Devnya Tsiment AD (production of cement). With biggest significance as employers in Aksakovo municipality are Eko pile Ltd. (production and processing of birds) and Maneks san AD (pig growing and fattening complex).

Significant is the role of the transport of the employment in Devnya municipality (leading representative of the sector is Varna West Port) while for Aksakovo at the moment it is comparatively small but is expected to grow in the future taking into consideration the functionality of Varna Airport and the expected Cherno more Highway.

The biggest is the number of commercial enterprises (sector Commerce; repair of automobiles and motorcycles) – over 40% of the enterprises but the sector is mainly consisting of micro-enterprises and ensures barely 7,8% of the work places. Comparatively small is the amount of the necessary investments for starting retail commercial explains the popularity in the field but these companies even though with an important role for self-employment have little added value for the territory. The developed trade network on the other hand is a precondition for the realization of agricultural production on the territory of LIG DEVNYA-AKSAKOVO.

At first sight the agriculture has little significance in Devnya municipality – it ensures a little over 1% of the work places (in Aksakovo municipality it ensures over 17% of the work places). But these numbers shall be interpreted. First of all a significant part of the employed in the aforementioned enterprises of chemical industry, Varna West port and CGH Devin AD live outside the borders of the municipality. Second of all, the rural population is below 10% in Devnya Municipality. On the grounds of the ratio of agriculture to employ in the sector and work trips the share of the sector of a little over 1% is not insignificant.

The significance of the agriculture of adding value on the target territory is accepted in two aspects:

• 
  As an immediate source of employment and income;
  
• 
  As an opportunity for integration in other sectors of local economy.
  

The small size of agricultural economics increases the price on which the factors of production buy as at the same time decreases the price of purchasing of their production (identified is as a problem at the forum sessions). As a result the agricultural production which is created on the target territory has low added value. At the same time on the territory of Devnya and Aksakovo operate enterprises of the processing industry as well as enterprises for packaging which are presented in Table 2. For increasing the value of agricultural production necessary is common planning and mutual actions by the participants of these sectors.

The integration opportunities for the agricultural production with other sectors were discussed when conducting the group discussions (forum sessions, focus groups and work meetings). The vision of local partners was that on the target territory implemented can be mutual actions for creating an integrated tourist product. The agricultural practices are important for preserving the rural landscape as well as a supplier of good products for the restaurant holders. Additional benefits for the product’s consumers could be supplied through exposure of tradition and cultural heritage (thanks to the developed cultural centers), creating tourist routes especially such on the Roman road Marcianopolis – Noviodunum through combination with other attractions for access and exposure of material cultural monuments from the ancient age and the Middle Ages. This way the benefits would be distributed not only between the agricultural producers by the various sectors of business and society, increasing the added value not only in certain sectors but on the territory as a whole.

Another possibility was marked by the participants in the group discussion – the possibility for integration of agriculture with production of energy and compost taking into consideration that the waste from the agricultural production being a contamination resource for the environment serve for raw materials for other productions. In fact, speaking about the environment local partners showed deep concern. This is due to the historical peculiarities and development of the industrial complex in Devnya municipality and the nearby agglomeration areal of town of Varna. The participants considered the measures undertaken so far by big polluters of installing treatment plants and facilities shall be continued but also supplemented by the actions of all local partners. The participants unified around the opinion that the implemented projects for the lDS shall be not only neutral with regards to the environment but shall also lead to its enhancement. Tourism has comparatively small significance for the employment so far – the hotel and restaurant services sector has ensured barely 1,5% of the work places. The available tourist infrastructure is not considered to be an independent resource to this moment. In town of Devnya is the only hotel on the target territory but the conditions of stay there are not at a high level. There are two taverns on the territory of Devnya municipality in traditional style of furnishing, eight guest houses and places for stay in Aksakovo municipality as well as one recreational facility. At the same time on the work meetings many participants expressed willingness to develop rural tourism. The territory is suitable for hunting and fishing tourism.

The connection of territory can be determined as very good. The connection between the towns in the municipalities is performed through public transportation. For the republic and municipal traffic network characteristic are typical problems – bad condition of the infrastructure. A problem with connection there is for the villages of the north-west part of the municipality of Aksakovo – the infrastructure is ugly looking and in result the connection between several nearby places is difficult – it is easier to get to the municipal center than the next village.

Bank and insurance offices there are only in the two towns. Problems with the mobile network quality are present in some of the villages. Internet suppliers operate in the towns and some of the villages – Ignatievo, Slanchevo and Kichevo in Aksakovo municipality and the two villages of Devnya municipality. The population in both municipalities is electrified and supplied with water 100%. The household sewage is established in 90% of the Devnya municipalities and partially in village of Kipra (Devnya municipality), it’s partially implemented in town of Aksakovo and village of Ignatievo (Aksakovo municipality).

Administrative characteristics.

The municipalities of the target territory are serviced by the regional and district services located in the regional center – Varna – District Payment Agency – Varna, Regional Inspectorate for Protection and Control of Public Health – Varna, Regional Veterinary – Medical Service – Varna, Regional Health Service – Varna, Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water – Varna, Basin directorate for water management in black sea region – Varna, Ministry of Interior – Varna, territorial departments of Ministry of Regional Development and Executive Agency for Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises

All towns on the territory of the two municipalities are included in the territory of LIG DEVNYA – AKSAKOVO, including the two administrative centers. the villages in Devnya municipality are located 8 and 9 km away from the district center. The most remote village in Aksakovo municipality from the administrative center is village of General Kantardzhievo, located 33 kilometers away.

Environment.

For the atmospheric air of Devnya municipality characteristic are significant exceeding of the exposure limit with regards to fine particulate matter, hydrogen sulfide and ammonia as Povelyanovo R.Q. has most unfavorable conditions. The rivers contain soluble matters exceeding in times the norms for III category and the water of the Beloslavsko lake is eutrophic. A big part of the soils are physically damaged or polluted. The treating of household waste is not ensured according to the European requirements; unsettled matters there are in relation to treating the industrial and dangerous waste. A significant part of the population is put to high levels of noise. The significant in size green areas are in a bad condition and are not well-maintained.²⁹ The configuration of the terrain, combined with the results of the construction activities contributes the intensive infiltration of surface polluted waters. To this added must be the influence of inappropriate agricultural practices. Risks arise from contamination by nitrates and nitrites in shallow aquifers.³⁰ This is a challenge for the team of the LIG with skills, knowledge and a lot of “effort” to turn the problem into an advantage of which speaks well in the logo LIG DEVNYA-AKSAKOVO.

For Aksakovo municipality established is that as a rule the presence of harmful aerosols in the atmospheric air does not exceed the permissible limits. Single cases of exceeding the exposure limits are established with regards to fine particulate matter and hydrogen sulfide (H2S2). The average annual levels of sulfur dioxide maintain a constant tendency to decrease; the pollutions with nitrogen dioxide even though below the exposure limit are comparatively constant; the average concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are very variable; maintains is the tendency of decrease of the annual concentration of led aerosols in territories with intensive traffic; the particulate matter continue to the most problematic pollutant in Aksakovo municipality.³¹

The surface water of the rivers and dams on the territory of Aksakovo municipality are assessed are acceptably clean. There are no data about observing hydrology and hydrochemistry of gullies due to which no assessment can be given as to the type and quantity of pollutants there. The condition of treating the waste water by enterprises gives grounds to consider such are present.

The marine water does not show any deviations of the Bulgarian and European norms as per indicators of hydro-physical characteristics; active water reaction; dissolved oxygen, bio-chemical necessity of oxygen O2; contents of bio-genetic elements - nitrogen and phosphorus (40-80% of the exposure limit). The microbiological characteristics of the marine water in 99% of the cases during the active season comply with the Bulgarian standards and in 100% cases – with the EU standards. Radiology characteristics are within the limits of natural radiation background.

Pollution from petrol products is accident and below the norms for resort areas.

The observation by Water Supply and Sanitation Ltd., Regional Inspectorate for Protection and Control of Public Health and Basin directorate for water management in black sea region in Varna show comparatively not good quality for shallow underground water as oppose those of the Cretaceous and Paleocene aquifers which satisfy the normative requirements. The karst character of most local springs represent a threat for the quality of water in the event of heavy rain or fertilizing with natural and artificial fertilizers as well as of the absorb pits. With very good quality are the underground waters of the malm aquifer which are completely in compliance with Bulgarian National Standard “Drinking Water”. As per physical and chemical contents are fresh to low mineralized (mineralization from 0.6 to 0.7 g / l) with a predominance of calcium and magnesium carbonate.³²

The homogeneity on the territory of Devnya and Aksakovo municipalities is determined by their similar geographic, cultural and demographic indicators. At the same time the territory is related by the Antiquity, evidence of which is the remains of the Roman road Marcianopolis - Noviodunum. Nowadays it has enough internal resources and development potential. Before the local partners stay the task to implement connections between various industries, between various sectors creating sustainable development with a special accent on the preservation and improvement of the environment.