Local environmental efforts in municipalities and county authorities, final figures 2010

Minor changes in number of permissions for motor traffic

In 2010, Norwegian municipalities granted almost 13 900 new permissions for motor traffic on uncultivated areas and watercourses. In addition, nearly 11 400 permissions from previous years were still valid. The total number of valid permissions showed a small increase from the previous year.

Motor traffic on uncultivated areas and watercourses is forbidden in principle. However, under the Motor Traffic and Environment Act, local government authorities may grant exemptions from this rule and allow motor traffic for certain purposes. No data on actual traffic are available, but KOSTRA provides information on permissions granted by local government authorities.

In 2010, there was a 15 per cent increase in the number of new permissions granted. However, the total number of permissions valid in 2010 was only 3 per cent higher than in 2009. The share of granted applications went down from 97 per cent in 2009 to 95 per cent in 2010. The three northernmost counties had about half of the applications.

Municipal land conservation

The conservation of areas for environmental purposes is generally regulated by legal acts administered by central government. However, the Planning and Building Act gives municipalities the opportunity to protect areas of special value from development. Preservation of cultural heritage and protection of nature and landscape are the considerations that are taken into account. In 2010, about 18 per cent of all area development plans adopted contained areas protected by the municipality. In 2009, the share was 17 per cent.

For general information on KOSTRA, see http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/00/00/20/kostra_en/.

See also: Land use planning in municipalities and counties, final figures

Tables

• Table 1 Processing of applications for permissions under the Act relating to motor traffic on uncultivated land and in water courses
• Table 2 No. of plans relating to municipal preservation of cultural heritage and protection of nature and landscape
• Table 3 Municipal expenses, revenues and investments within recreation in urban areas (function 335) and nature management and outdoor recreation (function 360). NOK 1 000
• Table 4 Municipal expenses, revenues and investments within protection of cultural heritage (function 365). NOK 1 000
• Table 5 Gross operating expenses, operating revenues and investments in outdoor recreation (function 716). County authorities. NOK 1 000
• Table 6 Gross operating expenses, operating revenues and investments in cultural heritage (function 750). County authorities. NOK 1 000

Published 22 June 2011 © Statistics Norway