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Public Hearing feedback for the
essential issues documents for
Finnmark and Nordland
(Norway)
Kerry Agustsson
Finnmark River Basin District Authority
Finnmark County Authority
Essential Issues
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Hearing period of 6 months: 01.07.2012 – 31.12.2012
Finnmark: 27 Individual feedback comments
Nordland: 33 Individual feedback comments
From:
– National sectorial authorities
– Local authorities
– Interest organizations and groups
• Comments resulted in editing of essential issues document –
approved by Water District Board
• Edited version will be translated to Finnish (Finnmark)
• Edited version may also be approved politically by Finnmark
and Nordland County Authority
Feedback topics
• Many comments on feedback were general and directed at all
River Basin District Authorities, and consisted of comments
regarding organization, financial resources, essential issues
relating to industry and trade, and the processes involved in
identifying essential issues
• Many comments also concerned the lack of knowledge and
documentation that characterizes the process in Norway at
the moment
– Red king crab (Finnmark)
– Salmon lice and effect of escaped farmed fish on genetical stock of
wild salmon
Mining industry
• Critics question how issues of food safety are considered in
mining industry with marine disposal sites
• Water quality should receive higher priority in the mining
industry
• Studies of former mines is requested in order to establish
pollution levels already present in the areas
• Regional water management must protect resources from
chemical pollution
• Concerns over effect from (toxic) waste from mining will effect
fjord environments, food safety issues, and spawning areas.
Nutrients and harmful substances
• Long-distanced pollution from mercury is worrying, and there
is a lack of research in this area. This is also true for other
heavy metals from industrial activity in Russia.
• Studies reveal that pollution of sediments, above all in
harbours, is an essential issue.
• Discharge from municipal waste sites should be focused on;
there is a lack of data for this issue
• Clean-up of harbours needs to be a priority.
• Ban on ballast water discharge and stricter control of
petroleum transport is desired
Fisheries and aquaculture
• Cooperation with Russia is seen as important for development
of aquaculture/fish farms (Finnmark)
• Overfishing is an issue in certain rivers
• There is a need for more documentation and research
regarding salmon lice, especially in regards to where
monitoring efforts should be concentrated.
• Effects of escaped farmed fish should be recognised and taken
more seriously
• Emissions from chemotherapeutics is mentioned as a
suggestion for inclusion in the basis for risk assessment
Alien/Invasive species
• There is an increased presence of pink salmon in several rivers
in Finnmark. The long-term effects of this and the possibility
that the species is responsible for spreading diseases are
unknown.
• Concerns regarding preventive measures against Gyrodactylus
salaris.
• Some spesies that are invasive in Norway are not classified as
invasive spesies in Sweden (like Phoxinus phoxinus,
ørekyt/elsrista)
• Invasive marine species are probably more wide-spread than
we presume.
Participation and cooperation
• To enhance efficiency in retrieving data, systemising
information, and organising local participation, there should
be an economical and administrative system in place from the
start of the process
• There are substantial financial challenges in organising water
management.
• Local participation possibilities must be made clearer
• Information must be disseminated and written in a clear
language for laymen.
• Must coordinate comments with Finnish authorities, as well
as coordinate common measures under the PoM.
Other issues
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Closer priority of the essential issues
Lack of data on groundwater is apparent and must be addressed.
List of areas of improvement from the EU must be taken into account
Most water bodies at risk of not achieving good status due to hydropower
are suggested candidates for Heavily Modified Water Bodies, and have
separate status goals.
• One comment requested national mapping of energy needs and
geographical survey of where hydropower is most efficient. Hydropower
must be seen in relation with water basin management.
• One major reoccurring issue is financial support of local activities
(program of measures and monitoring) – how to maintain knowledge and
resources in river basin districts
Summary
• Most essential issues identified in the document have been
confirmed by feedback
• Some new challenges and areas of focus appear, due to new
input and new data
• Important to coordinate essential issues with bordering
countries to ensure cooperation, especially for the
Programme of Measures
• Strong public interest in water management
• Challenges: Ensure participation and local knowledge, and
increase municipal involvement
Thank you!