prop · GE0390 · 1990-12-31 00:00:00 — Production from forestry and agriculture, in tum, affects theecosystems of lakes and watercourses, for example through nutrient leaching. Oneintemationally adopted objective in terms of management of the naturalresources of the worid and nature conservation is to maintain Prop.1990/91:90 biological diversity and genetic variation, and facilitate long-termpreservation of species and ecosystems. This strategy has been formulatedjointly by the Intemational Union for the Conservation of Nature and NaturalResources (lUCN), and the . Theinteraction between nature conservation and environmental protection work hasbecome increasingly distinct in recent years, as new facts about thesensitivity of ecosystems to various types of disturbances have becomeavailable. The maintenance of a large number of well-functioning ecosystems isa long-term prerequisite for human survival. TheSwedish landscape is basically a product of man's way of managing naturethrough the centuries. Cultivation ofthe land brought variation in its wake,and this led to an increase in the numbers of species. Agriculturaldevelopments in recent decades, with the trend towards large-scale processes andintensified use of chemicals has led to losses in this variation, and thedisappearance of smaU living environments (biotopes) valuable to biologicaldiversity. This has resulted in the situation today, where many species arebeing threatened with extinction. The new agricultural policy will break thistrend. Threemillion hectares of wetlands in the cultivated landscape of southera andmid-Sweden have been drained since the early nineteenth century. A largeproportion of the threatened species of animals and plants in aredirectly dependent on wetland biotopes. The drainage of wetlands is also one ofthe major causes of nitrogen leaching to the seas, and contributes directly tothreatening the survival of many species of animals and plants. In some regionsup to of the wetlands have been drained. Pursuantto the intentions underlying the Act, large areas which haveremained relatively unaffected by exploitation and other types of interferencein the environment are to be maintained. The unexploited rivers enjoy specialprotection pursuant to this Act. Inorder to guarantee the long-term production capacity of the soil and retainbiological diversity, external effects from polliition and elsewhere must ceaseand the pulp and paper industry and agriculture must shoulder theirresponsibility. Methods which increase potential for adapting to the ecologicalsystems to geological and other local conditions must be developed in order toretain biological diversity. Increased replacement of nutrients and mineralswill be necessary if farmland is not to be depleted in the long term. Natureconservation work is an important task in all sectors of society if we are to adapt better to the ecological systems. Conscientious use of the landscape and awareness of biological diversity are needed not only to maintain the of the landscape or its cultural and historical value. They are also significant factors in the long-term production goals for agriculture and forestry. Intensive efforts have been initiated to bring about such developments. These include extensive investments in training in the pulp and paper industry to increase awareness of ecological relation- ships, and ofthe natural and cultural value of our . 3 Rik.sdagen 1990/91. Nature conservation in ourcountryside is closely associated with safe- Prop. 1990/91; 90 guarding thecultural environment. For example, from the point of view of cxpenses, it isvital that work on the natural and cultural environments be coordinated. Todate in , the availability of clean water has not been markedly limitedby environmental disturbances. With very few exceptions, Swe-den's groundwaterstorage system is not interlinked. Owing to the geological conditions, thenatural reservoirs are often small, which means that the spread of pollutioncan be limited. Some15% ofthe population of is dependent upon private water supply, withwater which is sometimes of poorer quality than the water supplied publidy.Generally speaking, the groundwater quality is good, but problems have arisenin recent years, for example as a result of acid deposition. Insome parts of , primarily in areas where wells have been drilledin the bedrock, saft water seeps into the well water. This occurs partlybecause of unsuitable methods of water extraction, for example excessive waterremoval, and also because wells are incorrectley sited. In1988, the Riksdag established objectives for future nature conservation work,pursuant to the proposal ofthe Government in the 1988 on EnvironmentalPolicy. According to these goals, the survival of representative areas of alltypes of natural environments must be ensured, natural environments such asvirgin , wetlands and certain aspects of the cultural landscape must besafeguarded, and priority given to areas for outdoor recreation, particularlyin and near cities. Acentral Action Plan for threatened species has been drawn up by the . Today, 121 species of verte-brates arethreatened or require extra consideration, as compared with 105 species in1980. Thirty-eight ofthe 475 species of vertebrates in. and 284 oftheapproximately 2,000 species of wild and fems in the cuftivatedlandscape are threatened. Duringthe three-year period from 1988 to 1990, sizeable proportions of the naturalenvironment deemed especially worth saving, particularly virgin , havebeen secured. A total of ofthe remaining first-class virgin inSweden is or will be safeguarded in some way. Atotal of 100,000 hectares of productive land has been secured below theforest cultivation line, plus an additional approximately 530,000 hectares offorest in areas adjacent to the mountains. At least a further 250,000 hectaresof land adjacent to mountain areas cannot be felled, owing to extremelysevere reforestation problems. 2.4.2Objectives for nature conservation and management of natural resources Workon the management of our natural resources must be carried out on many levels. Physical planning is one ofthe central instmments for affect ing long-term land and water use. The use of environmental impact assess- 34 ments,for instance, as is being proposed by the Goverament in this , Prop.1990/91:90 will facilitate the carrying out of nature conservation work andother efforts for better management of natural resources. Inorder to achieve sustainable development, public authorities and industries inall sectors of society bear the responsibility for and the cxpenses associatedwith environmental protection work as a natural aspect of their operations. Itis the intention of the Government to allocate greater responsibility to thesectors for this work. One of their joint goals should be, pursuant to theintentions of the Act, to safeguard biological diversity andutilize natural resources in a way that makes them sustainable in the longterm. Inorder to fulfil the objectives of nature conservation work it is necessary,for instance, to concretize the goals for ensuring the survival of threatenedand vulnerable species in order to maintain biological diversity. As thenational environmental authority, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agencymust see to it that these goals are drawn up. The sectoral authorities foragriculture, forestry and fisheries are responsible for drawing up sectoralinterim targets and implementing measures. Thecultural landscape is to receive priority and be utilized so as to maintain arich variety of natural environments, biotopes and species. The aims of the newagricultural policy, with deregulation and allocation of considerable funds fornature conservation, include safeguarding the variety and wealth of thecultivated landscape, and preserving biological diversity. Itis the opinion ofthe Goverament that subsidies for protection ofthe landscapeis a suitable instrament for contributing to the maintenance of the collectivevalues of society associated with the cultivated landscape. Thissubsidy system is to be used primarily for aspects ofthe cultivated landscapeof special natural and cultural value which are being threatened by alteredland use in agricuftural and forestry. Pursuant to the intentions underlyingthe Act, areas of local value, as described in the municipalmaster plans, are also to be safeguarded through municipal involvement. ASwedish parliamentary and review of forestry policyhas recently begun its work. Its directives are to emphasize environmentalissues, and thus its tasks include the formulation of an environmentalobjective for forestry. Inthe area of fishing, the goal is the maintenance and survival of healthy,naturally-reproducing stocks of fish, shellfish and the organisms on which theyfeed. Aquatic species in requiring special protective measures includenaturally-reproducing , wels and crayfish. Pits,quarries and mines may be stressful to the environment, and destroy the living environments of animals and plants. There is a limited availability of materials excavated from pits, such as natural gravel and peat, and there is also a shortage of . Non-renewable natural resources are to be used with caution, so that natural resources will also be available for future generations. In areas mcntioned in the municipal plans as being of national nature conservation interest, or of 35 interestin terms of the cultural landscape or recreation, permits to break Prop.1990/91:90 peat are to be issued restrictively. Gravel management plans are tobe drawn up for areas where there are material supply problems or land useconflicts. In such areas, material supply should primarily be concentrated onrock quarries and other materials alternative to gravel. Theon-going work to protect threatened species and natural environments includesmaking more facts and figures available by making inven-tories of various areasdeemed worthy of protection, through conservation and preservation of areas ofnatural interest, etc. Inthe opinion ofthe Government, work on surveying threatened species shouldcontinue, and the inventories of specific valuable biotopes should becompleted. These inventories are meant to provide a basis for subsequcntdetermination of the need to safeguard additional areas with the support oftheNature Conservation Act. Inthis , the Goverament is proposing tightening up of the Nature ConservationAct to include new protective stipulations for certain valuable small biotopesand greater stringency in the regulations for land use. These regulations willbe an important aspect of future nature conservation work. Themain efforts in work to safeguard environments worth protecting in the comingthree-year period are to be concentrated on land, wetlands, and partsofthe cultivated landscape. hasreported that an additional area of över 100,000 hectares of particularlyvaluable biotope needs to be protected. This will include protection oflarge parts ofthe particularly valuable wetland biotopes as well. In light ofthe increased expense for conservation and administration of nature reserves,etc. and the need to extend efforts to protect threatened species, theGovernment is proposing increased allocations for these purposes of SEK26 and4 million, respectively, for the coming budget year. Landand water areas of great natural value and especially sensitive ecologicalareas are to be exempted from exploitation wherever possible. The necessity ofhaving undisturbed areas to satisfy the needs of man, animals and plants is tobe satisfied when, for instance, the laws relating to the Actare applied. TheGovernment assumes that the municipalities are taking advantage of theopportunity they have been given, pursuant to the Planning and Act, todraw up plans to serve as strategic instraments in making municipaldevelopments compatible with the requircments for a good environment andlong-term management of natural resources. It is the task of the CountyAdministrative Boards to see to it that important areas of natural value aredrawn attention to in the municipal plans. Rapiddevelopment of genetic has brought an increased need for monitoring, testing and control in its wake. There must be detailed analyses ofthe ecological risks involved when organisms subject ed to genetic mutations are released into the environment. Today, we have very knowledge of these risks. Finding an ethically acceptable balance 36 betweenecology and various applications of genetic in, for Prop.1990/91:90 example, agriculture and industry is a delicate task. During thespring of 1990, the Government appointed a parliamentary commission on issuesrelating to genetic . Their task includes reviewing the availablefacts on ecological risks associated with the release of organisms subjected togenetic mutations, the ethical principles to be applied when geneticengineering is used, and the organization of compulsory notification proceduresand testing of these activities. SinceI , anyone growing plants developed through genetic mutation ingreenhouses or outdoors must have a permit to do so. In reviewing permitapplications, special attention is to be paid to the fact that such cultivationmust not imply risks to the immediate or greater environment or a risk ofdepletion of genetic diversity. Byforceful interaational action, is to work towards the fulfilment oftheinternational objective of nature conservation and management of naturalresources. Intensifiedcooperation with the Nordic nations is being initiated, with the aim ofdeveloping a Nordic Action Plan for nature conservation and the management ofnatural resources. Agreements are, if possible, to be entered into with regardto the division of labour amongst the Nordic nations with a view to workingeffectively. Cooperationwith Eastera and Central Europé is to focus on prevention of undue exploitationof natural resources in conjunction with the anticipated modernization ofagriculture and forestry, and to ensure that this process does not take placeat the expense of the areas of great natural value associated with wetlands,lakes and watercourses, or the traditional cultural landscape in thesenations. This cooperation should also stri ve to facilitate the transfer ofenvironmentally adapted technology. Thepurpose of the on the Conservation of European Wildlife andHabitats is to protect European species of wild animals and plants and theirhabitats. Particular emphasis is placed on the protection of species which arethreatened and vulnerable. The main aim ofthe Convention on migrant wildanimals is to protect species which regularly cross national borders. TheRamsar Convention is aimed at the global protection of wetlands ofinternational importance, particularly as habitats for aquatic birds. TheWashington Convention regulates international trade in species of plants andanimals threatened with extinction. These Conventions have entailed an improvedand integrated exchange ofinformation between nations. The of aSwedish data bank of species is one important prerequisite for ourinternational undertakings. Inpreparation for the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Devel opment, the general issue of maintenance of biological diversity is being studied. The aim of this UN work is to achieve legally binding global agreements on biological diversity. is participating actively in this 37 work as part of ourefforts to satisfy the objectives of international nature conservation work. 2.5 Waters and the seas Governmentproposals: The guidelines applicable to future work are to be to ensure thesurvival of heafthy, balanced populations of naturally occurring species in theseas and other waters. Pollution is not to limit the use of water, either fromlakes and watercourses or from groundwater, as water supplies. Restorationofthe Baltic will be given priority in upcoming international cooperation.Sweden will work actively towards the drawing up and implementation ofconcrete Action Plans for all the nations bordering on the Baltic. Waterborneanthropogenic emissions of nitrogen are to be halved between 1985 and 1995. Thelong-term target is that there will be no persistent organic andenvironmentally-harmful substances in the environment. Emissions of toxicpersistent organic compounds are eventually to cease alto-gether. Emission ofchlorinated organic compounds from pulp and paper industries are to be givenpriority. Emissionsof mercury, cadmium and lead are to be reduced by so that, by the turnofthe century, they are at a level which does not harm the environment.Emissions of other important metals are to be reduced by during the sameperiod. The use ofenvironmentally-harmful substances is to be strictly limited. Overgrowth,oxygen depletion, and fish death were three of the environmental problems inSwedish lakes and watercourses to which attention was drawn at an early stage.These were caused primarily by emission of oxygen-consuming substances andnutrients from industries and communities. Major investments in plants totreat municipal waste water and industrial effluents and the use ofenvironmentally adapted technology have led to significant improvements. Today,the problem of eutrophication of lakes is limited to water systems indensely-populated areas with proportionately large amounts of farmland.However, these are also the areas where the easily affected water catchment andrecreational areas are located. The most important substance in terms ofeutrophication of lakes is phosphorous. Nitrogen may be a problem in parts ofsouthera , where there is extensive deposition of nitrogen compounds andsubstantial ranoff from agricultural and land. Other problems includetransport of humus and sludge, and erosion. The groundwater is alsoaffected by pollutants, which may make it unusable as drinking water. Nitrogenleaching from agriculture may lead toincreased levels of nitrates in the groundwater in some farming areas, Prop.1990/91:90 particularly where the soil is light. Owing to the long period oftime which passes before pesticides reach the groundwater, the oecurrence ofpesticides in the groundwater is expected to pose future problems. Otherthreats to good or unchanged groundwater quality include, for example,pollution from waste landfills, polluted soil and gravel pits, underground oilcisteras, airports and polluted urban storm water. Eutrophicationofthe environment has had effects such as mäss algae biooms, oxygendepletion, killing of the seabed fauna, toxic algae biooms and mined fisheries.These effects have been locally frequent in some areas, such as the bays atLaholm, and . The situation was particularly grave in1988, when there were extensive algae biooms, particularly in the North Sea. Theconditions along the Baltic coast of the Baltic nations. and easteraGermany are particularly severe. There are also indications of eutrophicationin the open seas ofthe Baltic and the . Emissions of nitrogen and phosphorousare the dominant cause of eutrophication. Background levels are 5 to 10 timeshigher today than at the beginning of this century. The total nitrogen load inthe Baftic must be further reduced, perhaps by , if the ecologicalbalance in the Baltic is to be restored. Substancesnot naturally occurring in the environment and which de-grade very slowly, suchas DDT and PCB, occur to some extent in all aquatic environments. Although thelevels of these substances in living organisms has decreased since their usewas banned, the levels in Swedish waters are still raised. We still have onlylimited knowledge of the total dissemination of organic environmental toxinsand their effects. Emissions of persistent organic compounds must eventually ceasealtogether. Valuablenatural and recreational areas may be disturbed for long periods of time byacute oil spills. Our ability to combat large oil spills has improved övertime, not least in close cooperation with other nations around the Baltic andNorth Sea. There is on-going development of methods to combat oil spills underdifficult conditions and of systems for effective aerial monitoring. The aerialmonitoring and other measures implemented to date have already resulted inconsiderable reductions of intentional oil discharges at sea throughoutNorthera Europé. Diffuse,continuous emissions account, however, for substantiaUy greater inputs of oiland other hydrocarbons to the seas. As the effects of such emissions are morechronic, and do not become evident until they have long been influential, theymay be difficult to discover. The greatest source ofinputs of oil and otherhydrocarbons to the environment is, by far, transport from rivers andairborae pollution. Examples of major point sources include petrol stations,discharges of storm water, municipal sewage treatment plants, ships and oilrigs. Refineries and other industries also account for inputs of oil to thesea. Emissionsof nutrients and metals increased from the early part of this century,continuing until only a couple of decades ago. Since that time emissions ofmetals have decreased considerably. century the samedevelopment has applied to persistent organic com- Prop. 1990/91:90 pounds. Swedenand the surrounding seas are also subject to pollution originating in othercountries. These pollutants may be transported, via the atmosphere and the seacurrents, över long distances. In most cases, the pollutant load from othercountries is often greater than the load from . Inthe 1988 Goverament on Environmental Policy, the Goverament stated thefocus of measures to counteract poUution of the seas. The Riksdag adopted thisreport. The primary thmst ofthe measures is to be to limit eutrophication andaccumulation of organic compounds which de-grade very slowly, particularlychlorinated organic compounds from the pulp and paper industry. The objectivesestablished were that nutrient emissions should be hal ved between 1985 and1995 in the areas suffering the worst effects and that emissions of persistentorganic substances are to cease entirely in the long term. For the forestryindustry, which is the dominant source of emissions of chlorinated organiccompounds, measures to reduce these emissions by were to beimplemented before the end of 1992. Emissions of mercury and cadmium, were alsoto be be reduced by half between 1985 and 1995. Ofthetotal nitrogen load on the seas from , approximately half comes fromnatural land ranoff, and half from anthropogenic activities. Agricultureis a major source of nutrient emissions. Measures have been implemented tolimit nutrient leaching, particularly from livestock hus-bandry andfertilization. Pursuant to the 1988 Goverament on Specific Measures toImprove the Environment in Agriculture, which the Riksdag adopted, theobjective is to reduce nitrogen leaching by half during this century in someareas. There are still substantial inputs of nutrients from land-based sources.Measures to reduce nitrogen by at least half are being implemented at sewagetreatment plants located near severely affected zones. Alarge proportion of the nitrogen entering the seas falls via the atmosphere.In southera most ofthe nitrogen precipitation comes from agriculture,when ammonia evaporates in the use and storage of farmyard manure. Some 60%ofthe total nitrogen deposition in comes from nitrogen oxides, andapproximately comes from ammonia from agriculture. Thus measures implementedto limit emissions of nitrogen oxides will also have a major impact onimprovements of the environment. Strictregulations on emissions of chlorinated organic compounds have been imposedupon all plants manufacturing chlorine-bleached sulphate pulp, in conjunctionwith permit reviews pursuant to the Environment Protection Act. In theassessment of the Goverament, it will thus be possible to reduce theseemissions to the level stipulated by the Riksdag.