1. Establishing a Management Framework
Establishment and functioning of a Project Management Unit and a Supervisory Board:
The Supervisory Board involves representatives of the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Health (through the Regional Inspectorate for Protection and Control of Public Health in Burgas), Pomorie Municipality, Green Balkans NGO, and the salt producers.

2. Developing a Management Plan (MP) of Pomorie Lake complex of protected natural areas
The project provides for the development of a 10-year Management Plan, whose structure and contents are in conformity with the requirements of the national and the international nature conservation legislation (Biological Diversity Act and Protected Areas Act and the related statutory acts, Ramsar Convention, Convention on Biological Diversity, Bonn and Bern Conventions, Birds Directive 79/409 ЕЕС, Habitats Directive 92/43 ЕЕС, etc.). The territorial scope of the Management Plan covers “Pomorie Lake” Protected Site (760,83 ha), “Pomorie Wetland Complex” Ramsar Site (814 ha), “Pomorie Lake” Protected Zone BG0000152 (921,528 ha), and “Pomorie” Protected Zone BG0000620 (2085,15 ha). The territories of the four protected natural areas overlap partially or completely, and the total protected surface area is 2162,76 ha – See Map

3. Implementing the Management Plan

3.1. Supporting the management of Pomorie Lake Protected Site

• Establishing administration and a Visitor’s Center for protection of Pomorie Lake

The project provides for the establishment of suitable infrastructure and unit to assist the Ministry of Environment and Water in the management of Pomorie Lake complex of protected natural areas, the enforcement of the national and international nature conservation legislation, and the implementation of the Management Plan. In this regard, the project envisages the construction of a Visitor’s Center for protection of the Pomorie Lake, which will host the Unit for Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration. This Unit will be in charge of the monitoring and surveys related to the wetland, as well as the conservation, restoration, guarding, information and education activities.

• Establishing small tourist infrastructure within the protected site

The project envisages the construction of small tourist infrastructure to be used by the tourists visiting the Pomorie Lake complex of protected natural areas, as well as to promote the natural resources of the lake. Information signboards will be produced and placed; tourist routes will be marked, etc.

3.2. Restoring and managing natural resources

• Implementing rehabilitation and repair of the system for outflow of fresh water from the lake and the system providing the inflow of sea water into the lagoon

Considering the deteriorated hydrological balance of the saline wetland and the non-functioning systems and facilities for outflow of fresh water from the lake, the project provides for the repair and rehabilitation of the freshwater outflow system (drainage canals, pump station, and pressure pipeline). The only direct connection between the lake and the sea securing the exchange of salt water and the recruitment of fish in the lake is provided by more than 500m long canal equipped with inlet and outlet facilities. This connection maintains the saline balance of the wetland, being of crucial significance for the extraction of salt and medicinal mud, as well as for the biological diversity of the lake. Unfortunately, this connection has not functioned properly for years; therefore, the project will repair and restore the canal and the facilities to secure the appropriate salt and water balance of the wetland.

• Securing conservation and restoration of breeding habitats for rare and globally threatened bird species

The project provides for the conservation and restoration of breeding habitats of rare and threatened water birds. Pomorie Lake is a breeding, foraging, and resting site of 262 bird species (The data gathered during the field studies carried out by Green Balkans by 2009 shows 268 bird species at the Pomorie Lake). The great bird diversity of the wetland is the reason for its designation as Protected Site (2001), Important Bird Area (1998), CORINE Biotope (1999), Ramsar Site (2003), and NATURA 2000 site (2007).
The project envisages the establishment and restoration of new breeding habitats of rare water birds at the Pomorie Lake, thus supporting directly their longterm conservation.

3.3. Implementing a program for environmental education and public awareness
The project will develop a program for environmental education intended for youth and students from Pomorie and the region. This program will help them enhance their awareness and knowledge of the biological diversity of the lake, the importance of the wetlands, etc. Various information and educational materials will be published within the project.

3.4. Developing a monitoring program for managing the complex of protected natural areas
With regard to the management and the development of the Management Plan, the project will prepare and implement a program for monitoring of the wetland.

4. Managing the project and securing national and international cooperation
An important component of the project is the establishment of partnerships and the improvement of the cooperation with other projects dealing with wetlands and management of protected natural areas in Bulgaria and abroad, thus applying the successful experience and the acquired national and international expertise in wetland conservation and sustainable management.