Municipal environmental management, 2009

Motor traffic on uncultivated areas and watercourses is banned 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.

Despite a slight decrease in the number of new permissions granted, the total number of permissions valid in 2009 was higher than in 2008. However, the share of granted applications increased from 93 per cent in 2008 to 97 per cent in 2009. The three northernmost counties had more than 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 2009, about 17 per cent of all area development plans adopted contained areas protected by the municipality. This share is higher than in the previous year.

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