Environmental protection: northern coastal zones and waters (NORSPA) Council Regulation (EEC) No 3908/91 of 19 December 1991 institutes Community action to protect and improve the quality of the environment in the northern maritime region of the Community (NORSPA). The action shall cover the coastal areas, including estuaries, and coastal water... Council Regulation (EEC) No 3908/91 of 19 December 1991 institutes Community action to protect and improve the quality of the environment in the northern maritime region of the Community (NORSPA). The action shall cover the coastal areas, including estuaries, and coastal waters of the Irish Sea, North Sea, English Channel, Baltic Sea and North-East Atlantic Ocean north of the Tagus, as well as the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands. Community financial resources estimated as necessary for execution of the action are ECU 16.5 million. Financial support shall take the form of capital grants, contributions towards pilot or demonstration schemes or other relevant measures, interest rebates for infrastructure projects, or repayable advances decided on a case-by-case basis. Priority measures eligible under the Regulation include both action in the Community (reduction of harmful inputs, speeding up of the application of emission standards by polluting industries, promotion of the conservation of marine life, management of biotopes, soil protection) and action in certain non-Community countries with Baltic coasts (help with the establishment of environmental administrative structures, environmental policies and action programmes). The latter action does not include the member countries of EFTA. The Regulation entered into force on 31 December 1991 and will apply, subject to extension or review by the Council, until 31 December 1992.
