New act protects the wilderness of Svalbard
Historical archive
Published under: Bondevik's 2nd Government
Publisher: Ministry of the Environment
Press release | Date: 27/06/2002 | Last updated: 23/10/2006
The Norwegian government decided today that the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act shall enter into force July 1 2002. For the first time, all environmental regulation for one area is collected in one act. This makes a better survey of regulations for the area. The Act sets framework conditions for all enterprises on the archipelago. (28.06.02)
Press release
Date: 28.06.02
New act protects the wilderness of Svalbard
The Norwegian government decided today that theSvalbardEnvironmental Protection Act shall enter into forceJuly 1 2002. For the first time, all environmental regulation for one area is collected in one act. This makes a better survey of regulations for the area. The Act sets framework conditions for all enterprises in the archipelago.
Photo: Norwegian Polar Institute
Photo: Norwegian Polar Institute | - Svalbard is one of the last wilderness areas of Europe. Norway is both morally and legally obliged to protect this nature treasure, says Minister of Environment Børge Brende. The Svalbard Environmental Protection Act provides a modern tool to meet the environmental challenges we face in this archipelago. My ambition is that also future generations will be able to experience the marvellous wilderness and the unique cultural heritage we have in Svalbard, says the Minister. Maintain untouched wildernessThe aim of the Act is to maintain a virtually untouched environment in Svalbard with respect to continuous areas of wilderness, landscape elements, flora, fauna and cultural heritage. Within the framework of the Act there is room for environmentally sound settlements, research and commercial activities. The Act contains main principles in international environmental agreements, like the precautionary principle, the principle to assess activity on the basis of the overall pressure on the environment and the principle that the person responsible for pressure on the environment shall pay. |
Svalbard -
one of Europe's last wilderness areasThe Act introduces a general principle that all flora and fauna are basically protected. Only controlled and limited harvesting is allowed, so that the species' natural productivity, diversity and habitats are preserved. Area protection will continue as a central measure to protect the wilderness nature. Svalbard has unique cultural areas and cultural heritage connected to different eras in its history. Cultural heritage objects dating from 1946 and backwards are automatically protected. All kinds of physical alterations of the terrain and enterprises that may cause pollution must, pursuant to the new Act, have a permission. In some cases there will also be necessary to have an environmental impact assessment, which will give a better basis for decision-making.
The Svalbard Environment Protection Act's regulations on pollution are mainly built on the Pollution Control Act.
New regulations
The new regulations on passage give a solid foundation for a strict protection of the nature of Svalbard, and secures at the same time in a flexible way activities that are wanted on the islands. The Act reverses existing regulations regarding off road motor traffic. Snowmobiles are i.a. prohibited initially, but are permitted in areas and along trails pursuant to regulations that enter into force at the same time as the Act. The Act provides special rights for permanent residents compared with tourists and other visitors, i.a. regarding hunting, driving motor vehicles and using cabins.