The APA Norte area covers an area of some 1,400 km2 and runs along 140 km of the coastline to the north of Salvador in Bahia State. The area extends from the northern boundary of the Metropolitan Region of Salvador to the border with the adjacent State of Sergipe. The area supports a local population of 25,000 people and is administered by five different Municipal Governments. In 1992 the State government established an Environmental Protection Area (APA) along this coastal region under Federal legislation in recognition of the sensitivity, fragility and conservation value of the different habitats in the area (mangroves, coastal dunes, wetlands and forest remnants).

The State Transport Authority (DERBA) have recently completed construction of the two lane "Green Road" ("Linha Verde") which runs through the APA Norte. In addition to opening up communications with the adjacent state of Sergipe, this road offers the opportunity for generating income and employment through new tourist development projects. Several international tourist operators have already expressed an interest in developing new sites within the southern section of the APA Norte. Other local developments are already occurring in the APA Norte. Encouraged by improved access, landowners are developing plans to sell land for development within the APA Norte region.

Recognising the need to control future development of the region, CONDER (Metropolitan Planning Authority) completed an Environmental Management Plan for the APA Norte region in January 1994. The EMP has divided the APA Norte region into the following areas; areas set aside for preservation; areas set aside for conservation; areas set aside for urban and agricultural use; and areas in which conflicting land uses have been defined. This EMP was approved by the State Environment Council (CEPRAM) in 1995. CONDER has, with participation and assistance of other State institutions and agencies, been developing legislation, guidelines, and detailed plans for the implementation of the EMP, and providing assistance to the Municipal Governments of the region. The project will incorporate the EMP into the Management and Environmental Planning Programme, thus essentially replacing the existing EMP with a broader and more balanced plan for the region.

To facilitate the provision of sustainable development within the State of Bahia in NE Brazil by producing and implementing a management and environmental planning programme (MEPP) for the APA Norte, which will serve as a model for replication elsewhere in the State.

• Operational mechanisms established for institutional collaboration.
• Production of a Management and Environmental Planning Programme Development Plan for APA Norte region.
• Environmental management guidelines for APA Norte region.
• New income generating schemes for people living within the APA Norte.
• New environmental education campaigns and materials.
• Increased technical capacity of staff from CONDER, CRA and SCT.