EIA and sensitive areas – from case to case

The role of the Directorate for Nature Management

Mari Lise Sjong

Advisor, Directorate for Nature Management 17th October

2007

Strategies and Ways of Working of the DN

• Protected areas• Species management• Land use planning• Sector responsibility---------------------------------------------• Spatial environmental

information

Land Use Planning• Land use planning is the most important arena for

management and conservation of biodiversity outside protected areas (PAs)

• The Planning and Building Act (1985) is the main tool for management of biodiversity outside PAs– Developments are subject to a consultative process– Major developments are in addition subject to EIA

• Land use planning takes place at the local and regional levels– DN may raise objections to a plan, in case of which the final

decision will be taken by the Ministry of Environment

DN’s role in Land Use Planning

• Advisor to MoE in development of legislation and policy• Advisor to the County Governor and hence municipalities

in area planning • Advise sector directorates and public and private land

developers – infrastructure, energy, agriculture, fishery, fish farming etc

• Provide consultative statements to large development plans

– Hydro power vs national park

– Power lines vs sensitive areas

– Power lines vs wild reindeer

Hydro power vs National

ParkFolgefonna national park vs Eitrheim-Tokheim hydro power plant

– incompatible interests (NPs to be ”pristine”)

Hydro power proposal• 97 GWh clean,

renewable energy• Secure energy supply

for ”local” industry• Dam, pump, tunnel,

power line, power station, roads

• Reduced water flow, regulation zones

• Landscape changes

The Folgefonna national Park proposal

• First NP from glacier to fiord

• Outstanding landscape values

• Last large INON in region

• Recreational interests• Hydro power proposal

cuts park in two, impacts on landscape and recreational values, and reduces INON

Decision making process• Hydro Power EIA• Consultation process• Proposal in favour of

development to Min. of Oil and Energy (ie: pros larger than cons)

• National Park EIA• Consultation process• Proposal including

borders sent to Min. of Environment

• Royal resolution: proposal for NP accepted

• Licence for hydro power development denied

Power lines vs sensitive areas• Anticipated 100% increase

in power consumption due to oil- and gas related industry development

• Plans totalling 250-300 km• 420 kV, towers up to 50 m,

plus 50 m no-grow zone• Threatens national

landscape values, INON, recreational interests, biodiversity

• Huge public interest – ”monster towers”

• Discussion: is sea cable/land cable an alternative?

”A choice between evils?”

There’s no way a 420 kV power line can not impact…

The Geiranger fjord - a World Heritage object

• ”..among the most scenically outstanding fjord areas on the planet..” (UNESCO)

• Direct versus indirect impacts

• How sensitive is a WH object??

Consultation process finished

Proposal to be sent to the Ministry of Oil and Energy

Power line vs wild reindeer• Norway has particular

responsibility• Land use steadily

reduces/splits up roaming and foraging areas

Decision-making process• Licence given 1999• Complaints were

filed – chosen alternative conflicts with wild reindeer

• New knowledge, new policies

• Renewed EIA 2006• Consultation

process: DN maintains recommendations

Resolution by Ministry of Oil and Energy 2007:

The Ministry has, on the basis of a holistic assessment, concluded that wild reindeer considerations and the protection of the eco-system must precede the considerations of local landscape values. Previous resolution to be changed.