Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., April 02, 2008 Adar2 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 23:58 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Lake Kinneret. (Yaron Kaminsky) Last update - 23:57 01/04/2008 MKs okay law to protect the shores of Lake Kinneret By Eli Ashkenazi and Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondents Tags: Lake Kinneret, Beaches  The Knesset Tuesday passed the first law in Israel's history to regulate and protect the beaches of the country's largest waterway, Lake Kinneret. The law mandates the establishment of a single, unified agency, with enforcement powers, to be responsible for the Kinneret's beaches. It also extends the Coastal Environment Preservation Law, which mandates free access to public beaches along the Mediterranean and Red Seas and forbids damage to their coastlines, to the Kinneret as well. The law enacted Tuesday is a merger of three separate bills submitted by MK Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor), MK Dov Khenin (Hadash) and the Finance Ministry. Its stated goal is "to regulate management of the Kinneret's beaches with a comprehensive and unified view ... and to increase supervision and enforcement of legislation aimed at preventing or limiting damage to the Kinneret." Advertisement Currently, some 20 different bodies manage the Kinneret's 56 kilometers of beach. Each body has its own responsibilities, its own interests and its own management policy. This lack of uniformity has led to huge gaps in the enforcement of relevant laws, resulting in building code violations and the illegal fencing in of beaches. It has also led to widely varying entrance fees, severe littering and general neglect. The new law establishes a single agency to oversee all the Kinneret's beaches and gives it the power to ensure free access to them. This agency, called Igud Arim Kinneret, will be responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the beaches, ensuring the lake's cleanliness and removing any obstacles that might prevent access to the beaches. It will also have the power to enforce planning and building laws on nearby roads. The agency will have a 12-member board of directors consisting of representatives of government ministries, local authorities, academia and environmental organizations. In addition, extending the Coastal Preservation Law to the Kinneret means that any construction plan within 50 meters of the Kinneret's beaches will require approval by the Committee for Preserving the Coastal Environment, as well as by the local and regional zoning boards. Plans that were approved before the law's passage will be exempt from this requirement, but it will apply to any future plans. Since the Kinneret is also Israel's primary water source, the law permits damage to the lake's coastal environment for the sake of managing the country's water supply. However, it requires that maximum efforts be made to minimize this damage. In effect, the law deprives nearby municipalities of authority over construction in the vicinity of the Kinneret and transfers this authority to Igud Arim Kinneret and the Committee for Preserving the Coastal Environment. This means that entrepreneures will no longer be able to obtain building permits by pressuring local government officials. Pines-Paz said the law puts "an end to the anarchy and abandonment of the Kinneret's beaches." Khenin said "the Knesset has restored the Kinneret to Israel's citizens." But the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel injected a note of caution into the celebrations. The law's goals, it said, will be achieved only if Igud Arim Kinneret is actually established, and if it proves to be a strong and independent agency. Related articles: Nearly two thirds of Kinneret beaches not open to public Golan council shuts Kinneret beaches due to garbage pile-up Green activists released after arrested at Lake Kinneret protest Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.

Today Online Hamas TV puppet 'kills' Bush as revenge for U.S., Israeli actions Responses: 259 Editorial: Israel's settlement policy is one of deception Responses: 117 WHO: Israel turning away sick Gazans, who die in 'avoidable tragedies' Responses: 69 Barak: Gaza crossings may open if rocket attacks, smuggling stop Responses: 68 'If rabbis won't marry interfaith couples, they should send them to someone who will' Responses: 26 Rosner's Domain Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) More Headlines 23:39 Hezbollah: Saudi Arabia is siding with gov't in Lebanon power struggle 23:57 MKs okay law to protect the shores of Lake Kinneret 22:28 WHO: Israel turning away sick Gazans, who die in 'avoidable tragedies' 21:50 Barak: Gaza crossings may open if rocket attacks, smuggling stop 23:24 Israeli broadcaster and actress Shosh Atari dies aged 58 19:47 Falafel oil provides power for T.A. 'Earth Hour' concert 21:58 Facebook, Google founders to attend Jerusalem conference in May 20:49 Fischer: Israel's growth to slow in 2008 due to global slump 22:36 National Insurance Institute rejects plan to take over school fee payments 16:55 Two civilians lightly hurt in mortar attack on Negev kibbutz 20:59 Benizri: I've been persecuted for 8 years for no fault of my own 16:38 Yesha Chief Rabbi: Giving arms to the PA is against Jewish law 22:05 Reputed crime family member denies 2004 teen murder 22:09 Police arrest Netivot mother suspected of raping two sons Previous Editions Select Day 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar

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