Park regulations

CHAPTER I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Art. Art. 1. The purpose of the Văcărești Natural Park Regulation, hereinafter referred to as “Regulation”, is to regulate human activities that take place in the park, in order to ensure the conservation of the natural capital and the sustainable use of its resources.

Art. Art. 2. The responsibility for the elaboration of the Regulation lies with the Administration of Văcărești Nature Park, through consultation with the Advisory Management Council, endorsement by the Scientific Council and approval by order of the head of the central public authority for environmental protection, in accordance with the legal provisions in force.

Art. Art. 3. Compliance with the Regulation is mandatory for the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park, for the authorities regulating activities on the territory of the Văcărești Natural Park, as well as for the natural and legal persons who own or manage land and other property and/or carry out activities in the perimeter and in the vicinity of the protected natural area..

CHAPTER II

ESTABLISHMENT, PURPOSE, BOUNDARIES AND MANAGEMENT OF THE VĂCĂREȘTI NATURE PARK

Art. 4. The protected natural area Văcărești Natural Park was established by Government Decision no. 349/2016 on the declaration of the natural area “Acumulare Văcărești” as a natural park and the establishment of the protected natural area regime.

Art. 5. The Văcărești Natural Park is a protected natural area of national interest, corresponding to management category V of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, which aims to protect and preserve the landscape and biodiversity, offering the possibility to carry out educational, recreational, tourist and scientific research activities on its territory.

Art. 6. The boundaries of the Văcărești Nature Park are described and approved by Government Decision no. 349/2016.

Art. 7. Art. 7. The area of the Văcărești Nature Park is 182.9901 ha, according to the existing vectors on the website of the central public authority for environmental protection.

Art. 8. The internal zoning of the Văcărești Nature Park shall be established by the management plan, in accordance with the provisions of art. 22 para. (1) of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2007 on the regime of protected natural areas, conservation of natural habitats, wild flora and fauna, approved with amendments and additions by Law no. 49/2011, with subsequent amendments and additions.

Art. 9. (1) The administration of the Văcărești Natural Park is the responsibility of the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park, an administration structure specially constituted as a public service of local interest of the Municipality of Bucharest, with legal personality, established by the Decision of the General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest no. 328/2021 on the establishment of the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park, a public service of local interest of the Municipality of Bucharest.

(2) The administration of Văcărești Natural Park is carried out on the basis of the Administration Contract no. 8001/29.12.2021, concluded between the National Agency for Protected Natural Areas and the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park.

(3) The Administration of Văcărești Natural Park is guided and supervised by a Scientific Council, with the role of scientific authority on the territory of Văcărești Natural Park, in accordance with the provisions of art. 19 para. (4) of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2007 approved with amendments and additions by Law no. 49/2011, with subsequent amendments and additions.

(4) A Consultative Management Council shall operate within the Administration of Văcărești Nature Park, with a consultative role, in accordance with the provisions of art. 19 para. (2) of the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2007 approved with amendments and additions by Law no. 49/2011, with subsequent amendments and additions.

Art. 10. Until the approval of the management plan, the Administration of the Văcărești Nature Park shall carry out, organize and supervise all the activities carried out on the territory of the Văcărești Nature Park, in accordance with the provisions of this Regulation and the legislation in force.

Art. 11. All the constructions, installations, signs that are part of the visitor infrastructure of the Văcărești Natural Park shall bear the identification signs (logo, name) of the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park. The insignia of other entities may appear, in addition to the logo of the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park, with the prior consent of the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park.

Art. 12.Any plan/project/activity proposed to be carried out on the territory or in the vicinity of the Văcărești Natural Park, likely to generate an impact on the species and natural habitats within the natural park, shall be subject to the approval of the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park, based on the decision of the Scientific Council, as appropriate, according to this Regulation and the legislation in force.

CHAPTER III

REGULATION OF ACTIVITIES IN THE VĂCĂREȘTI NATURE PARK

Art. 13. The following activities are prohibited in the area of the Văcărești Nature Park:

1. the introduction of any species of non-native wild flora and/or fauna, whatever their stage of development, including animals from rehabilitation centres;

2. any form of deliberate injury, harvest, capture, killing, gathering, cutting, uprooting or destruction, regardless of the stage of development of all species of wild flora and/or fauna;;

3. any form of disturbance/disturbance during the breeding, nesting, rearing, hibernation and migration periods of all wildlife species;
   

4. any form of damage and/or destruction of breeding, nesting or resting places of all wildlife species;

5. any form of trade, illegal possession and/or transport for commercial purposes of all species of wild flora and/or fauna;

6. by exception to the provisions of points b) – e), it is allowed to collect medicinal plants, mushrooms or edible fruits listed in the annex to the Regulation by the visitors of Văcărești Natural Park, for their own consumption;

7. feeding of any wildlife species, with the exception of winter feeding by the Văcărești Natural Park Administration, through specially designed feeders;

8. application, spreading of phytosanitary treatments, pest control products, defoliants and phytocides, except for those for which prior approval has been obtained from the Văcărești Natural Park Administration, according to the legislation in force;

9. any measures aimed at limiting or regulating populations of overabundant species of wild flora and/or fauna or at eliminating individuals of invasive species of wild flora and/or fauna, except for those for which prior approval has been obtained from the Văcărești Natural Park Administration, issued on the basis of the decision of the Scientific Council;

10. athe lighting of fires of any kind, including the lighting and releasing of lanterns, the use of any pyrotechnics, fireworks, firecrackers, firecrackers and the like, which may generate noises and vibrations with a strong negative impact on wildlife and/or present a fire hazard;

11. smoking inside the park, with the exception of the three signposted areas at the main entrances to the park;

12. dumping, abandoning, throwing and/or incinerating waste of any kind, including plastic, paper, metal, glass, household, biodegradable, zootechnical, sawdust and similar waste in the perimeter of Văcărești Natural Park. The waste will be collected and disposed of only in places specially arranged by the Văcărești Natural Park Administration;

13. collection of recyclable materials, with the exception of organized and/or coordinated waste collection activities and/or for which prior consent has been obtained from the Văcărești Nature Park Administration;

14. excavations/works of any kind that change the configuration of the land, without the approval of the Văcărești Natural Park Administration, issued on the basis of the decision of the Scientific Council;

15. the use of detergents/soaps of any type for washing in the waters of the Văcărești Natural Park. It is forbidden to wash animals, vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles or other objects of any kind in the waters of the Văcărești Natural Park;

16. the use of any type of artificial lighting, regardless of the environment, location and duration of its use, with the exception of lighting for the needs of the Văcărești Nature Park Administration and when, in conditions of low natural light, low intensity artificial lighting is used for a specific duration, provided that this lighting does not disturb the fauna;

17. energy generation activity, with the exception of energy generation through solar panels serving the infrastructure of Văcărești Natural Park;

18. hunting and fishing activities;;

19. carrying, possessing or using any weapon and its ammunition;

20. carrying out unauthorized commercial activities on the territory of Văcărești Natural Park without the consent of the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park.

Art. 14. Natural/legal persons who own/manage land in any form in the vicinity of the Văcărești Natural Park are obliged to dispose of their own waste and to clean up their land.

Art. 15. The deliberate reintroduction of native species shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Order of the Minister of the Environment no. 979/2009 on the introduction of allochthonous species, interventions on invasive species, as well as the reintroduction of native species listed in Annexes no. 4A and 4B to Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2007, approved with amendments and additions by Law no. 49/2011, with subsequent amendments and additions, on the national territory.

Art. 16. The deliberate introduction into the Văcărești Nature Park of invasive species from outside the national territory is prohibited, with the exceptions provided for in art. 5 para. (2) of the Order of the Minister of Environment no. 979/2009.

Art. 17. With regard to the other native species, which are not subject to the regulation of the Order of the Minister of the Environment no. 979/2009, they may be introduced in the Văcărești Nature Park with the prior approval of the Văcărești Nature Park Administration, issued on the basis of the decision of the Scientific Council.

CHAPTER IV

REGULATION OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY – INVESTMENT

Art. 18. It is forbidden to pitch tents, caravans, stalls, shelters and the like, with the exception of the infrastructure set up by the Văcărești Nature Park Administration or set up with the prior consent of the Văcărești Nature Park Administration, intended for the development of the Văcărești Nature Park.

Art. 19. On the territory of the Văcărești Nature Park it is forbidden to carry out any permanent construction works, except:

1. the works necessary for the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park to carry out its duties, with the opinion of the Scientific Council, so as not to affect the flora and fauna of the Văcărești Natural Park;;

2. works related to the catchment basins for supplying, storing, filtering and improving the water quality required by the Văcărești Natural Park, following the decision of the Scientific Council, in order to ensure the ecological balance;;

3. maintenance work on existing infrastructure;

4. works concerning the arrangement and maintenance of spaces, sites and trails intended for public access/visitation in the Văcărești Natural Park.

CHAPTER V

REGULATION OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ACTIVITY

Art. 20.

(1) Scientific research is promoted and supported by the Văcărești Nature Park Administration and shall be carried out only with the prior approval of this institution, issued on the basis of the decision of the Scientific Council and on the basis of collaboration protocols, partnerships, conventions, agreements and the like, concluded between the Văcărești Nature Park Administration and interested third parties/institutions.

(2) The results of the scientific research will be made known to the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park, according to the issued notice and may be used by the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park in the management activity of the protected natural area, in compliance with the specific legislation on intellectual property.

Art. 21. The Văcărești Nature Park Administration may logistically support, upon request and to the extent possible, the research activity. The staff of the Văcărești Nature Park Administration may participate in field research activities and has the right to request the immediate cessation of an activity if it does not comply with the purpose, means and duration stipulated in the notice issued by the Văcărești Nature Park Administration.

CHAPTER VI

REGULATION OF VISITING ACTIVITY

Art. 22.Access inside the Văcărești Natural Park is allowed only through specially arranged places, where there are crossing facilities over the concrete edge of the dike, respectively:

a) Săvinești Street;;

b) the corner of the embankment in front of the Asmita Gardens complex;

c) the entrance from the intersection of Splaiului Unirii and Șoseaua Vitan-Bârzești.

Art. 23. Access to the Văcărești Nature Park is allowed according to a program posted on the entrance panels to the park, as well as on the website of the Administration of the Văcărești Nature Park, which varies according to the four seasons.

Art. 24. Pedestrian traffic as well as recreational jogging shall be carried out only on the paths designated and signposted for this purpose, leaving them is prohibited.

Art. 25 By exception to the provisions of Art. 24 deviation from the designated trails is permitted:

1. the staff of the Văcărești Nature Park Administration and representatives of environmental institutions in the exercise of their duties, as well as for security and intervention in case of need (security guards, police, rescue, fire brigade and the like);

2. members of the Scientific Council;

3. researchers, within the framework of scientific research activities approved by the Văcărești Natural Park Administration;

4. collaborators, partners, volunteers involved in organized activities or for which prior agreement has been obtained from the Văcărești Natural Park Administration (based on written protocols/agreements);

5. groups organized by the Văcărești Natural Park Administration or for which prior permission/agreement has been obtained from the Văcărești Natural Park Administration, if the specifics of the activity require going off the road/rock; in this case the group leader assumes responsibility and will respect the protection measures, according to the legislation in force;

6. to landowners, to/from their properties.

Art. 26. Bicycle traffic is only allowed on the main route connecting the two main entrances – the corner of the embankment in front of the Asmita Gardens complex and Săvinești Street -, which is signposted for this purpose and on the embankment on the outer boundary of Văcărești Nature Park. Travel speed will be adapted so as not to endanger or disturb other visitors.

Art. 27. Instructional-educational visits, outdoor classes for pre-school children, pupils, students are allowed in the perimeter of the Văcărești Natural Park, with prior notice to the Administration of the Văcărești Natural Park.

Art. 28. Pets may only enter the park with a collar/hammer, leash and, for aggressive and dangerous dogs, a muzzle, in compliance with the legal provisions in force concerning pets. Owners will be obliged to have the necessary materials to collect the droppings and to deposit them in the waste bins located at the entrances.

Art. 29.It is forbidden to abandon pets such as dogs, cats, turtles, hamsters, rabbits, fish, snakes and the like on the territory of Văcărești Natural Park.

Art. 30. It is forbidden to use motorized vehicles, including electric scooters, except for those serving the activity of the Văcărești Natural Park Administration staff or those for which the Văcărești Natural Park Administration has obtained the consent.

Art. 31. It is forbidden to practice any water sports and swimming activities, including bathing.

Art. 32. It is forbidden to use any means or objects that cause noise pollution and/or are likely to disturb species of wild flora and/or fauna or disturb the calm and tranquillity of the protected natural area.

Art. 33. It is forbidden to destroy, degrade, inscribe information signs, signs, plaques, posts, markers, stones, trees or any movable or immovable property.

Art. 34. It is forbidden to land or fly over the territory of the Văcărești Natural Park at a height of less than 100 meters from the vertical of the ground, for motorized aircraft, low-altitude recreational aircraft, drones and the like, without prior consent from the Văcărești Natural Park Administration.

Art. 35. Guided tours for commercial purposes, handicraft activities, commercial activities, public events, including sports competitions, photography or filming carried out in the context of a professional activity for commercial purposes, may be carried out with the prior consent of the Administration of Văcărești Nature Park, in areas agreed by the Administration of Văcărești Nature Park.

Art. 36. The notices issued by the Administration of the Văcărești Nature Park may be subject to the payment of fees established by the Administration of the Văcărești Nature Park and approved in accordance with the provisions of art. 30 para. (4) of Government Emergency Ordinance no. 57/2007, approved with amendments and additions by Law no. 49/2011 with subsequent amendments and additions.

CHAPTER VII

FINANCING THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NATURAL PARK VĂCĂREȘTI

Art. 37.

(1) The Văcărești Nature Park Administration is a public service financed from the local budget of the Municipality of Bucharest and from its own revenues obtained from the collection of fees established by the Văcărești Nature Park Administration, in accordance with the legal provisions in force.

(2) The Văcărești Nature Park Administration may receive funding for specific programmes of local, national and international interest, donations and sponsorships, provided that the legal provisions in force are respected.

CHAPTER VIII

SANCTIONS

Art. 38. Violation of the provisions of this Regulation shall entail, as the case may be, contraventional, criminal, material or civil liability, according to the legislation in force.

Art. 39. Art. 39. Compliance with this Regulation shall be controlled by the staff of the Văcărești Nature Park Administration and by the staff with control attributions of other authorized structures of the State and local public administration, within the limits of their competences. The personnel empowered to verify the respect of the present Regulation shall prove their quality with their service badge.

Art. 40. Art. 40. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Regulation shall constitute a contravention and shall be punishable by a fine from RON 3,000 to RON 6,000 for natural persons and from RON 25,000 to RON 50,000 for legal persons, in accordance with the provisions of Article 96 para. (1 ) points 16 and 21 of Government Emergency Ordinance No 195/2005 on environmental protection, approved with amendments and additions by Law No 265/2006 with subsequent amendments and additions.

Art. 41. Art. 41. The detection and sanctioning of the acts that constitute violations of this Regulation shall be carried out by the staff of the Văcărești Natural Park Administration and by the staff with control attributions of other authorized structures of the State within their competences.

Art. 42. Art. 42. In the performance of their duties, the staff of the Văcărești Natural Park Administration has the right to request the identification of persons who have committed acts or have been caught attempting to commit acts that constitute contraventions or offences within the protected natural area, and natural and legal persons are obliged to identify themselves at the express request of the staff of the Văcărești Natural Park Administration.

Art. 43.Art. 43. The provisions of this Regulation on contraventions shall be supplemented by the provisions of Government Ordinance No 2/2001 on the legal regime of contraventions, approved with amendments and additions by Law No 180/2002, as amended.

CHAPTER IX

FINAL PROVISIONS

Art. 44. Art. 44. This Regulation may be amended at the proposal of the Administration of Văcărești Nature Park, with the consultation of the Advisory Management Council, with the opinion of the Scientific Council and shall be approved by order of the central public authority for the protection of the environment, water and forests, in accordance with the legal provisions in force.

Art. 45. This Regulation shall be made known to the public by posting it on the website of the Administration of Văcărești Natural Park and by any other legal means of communication.

Annex to the Regulation of Văcărești Natural Park

Fruits and medicinal plants that can be picked for personal use in Văcărești Natural Park

Note: Climbing trees to pick fruit or using tools and methods that may damage the integrity of the tree is prohibited.