Spatial Planning as a Tool for Protection of Mineral Springs in Poland

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the intake and use of mineral springs. Although their deposits are largely renewable, they should be managed in a rational way. There is no denying the fact that the proper management and protection of mineral springs is significantly facilitated by the possibility of utilizing available tools ensured by spatial planning. It provides the possibility of introducing certain restrictions imposed by the Act on health resort treatment, health resorts and protected health resort areas as well as on health resort communes into the acts of local law, such as local land use plans. The purpose of this research paper is to describe the role of spatial planning at the local level in the protection of mineral spring deposits. It analyzes local land use plans which are in force in health resort communes. The research was carried out in the health resorts of Lesser Poland Province.