Norway Could Open Nearly 400 Protected Rivers for Development

In a drastic and alarming coverage shift, the Norwegian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Power and the Surroundings has proposed opening all of Norway’s rivers to hydropower initiatives, a transfer that threatens fragile ecosystems, wildlife, and indigenous lands.

These protected rivers embody roughly 390 waterways that have been beforehand deemed too worthwhile to take advantage of, rivers lengthy safeguarded underneath the “Safety Plan for Watercourses” to protect their ecological and cultural significance.

This transfer stands in stark distinction to Norway’s worldwide commitments, together with the Kunming-Montreal International Biodiversity Framework, which requires at the least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas to be protected and restored by 2030. It additionally undermines the nation’s picture as a worldwide chief in sustainability.

At a time when nations around the globe are preventing to protect what little untouched nature stays, Norway is poised to show its again by itself wild rivers, a few of the final free-flowing waterways in Europe.

Why This Issues

Hydropower is commonly portrayed as a “inexperienced” power supply, however its environmental toll is devastating. Rivers drained to a trickle, fish populations decimated, and whole ecosystems disrupted.

Norway already has 1,781 hydropower vegetation, and influence research present that these present vegetation are doing subsequent to nothing to make sure that migrating fish move via unhurt. Salmon and trout, species very important to Norway’s pure heritage and indigenous livelihoods, are routinely trapped behind dams, chopped up in generators, stranded in dried-out riverbeds, and blocked from their pure migration routes. European eels, red-listed as critically endangered, are different frequent victims of hydropower vegetation.

In 2024, Nature & Environment reported on a “Fish Migration Survey” that discovered greater than two thirds of Norwegian hydropower vegetation have by no means investigated whether or not fish are harmed of their amenities. On high of that, “solely 6.5 p.c have determined to put in gear [that prevents damage to migratory fish].”

Different studies from the Norwegian Broadcasting Firm offer insight into the dark side of “inexperienced” Norwegian hydropower. It’s not simply the fish in danger, both. Birds, mammals, and bugs that depend on these waterways for survival additionally face displacement and hunger.

As soon as a river is modified, it’s modified endlessly. Damming a river disrupts its pure circulation, sediment transport, and aquatic ecosystems. Fish populations decline resulting from migration limitations, and the lack of pure water fluctuations harms biodiversity. Even when a dam have been eliminated, habitats and species that relied on the unique river dynamics might already be too degraded or misplaced to get better. 

Because of this the influence of hydropower is arguably everlasting. As soon as these pristine rivers are altered, they could by no means absolutely get better, and the 390 rivers threatened by this proposed opening characterize a few of the final untouched pure habitats within the nation.

Norway can not proceed to model itself as an environmental chief whereas systematically dismantling its personal conservation legal guidelines.

The Norwegian individuals, particularly those that cherish the outside, have lengthy fought to maintain these rivers wild. Kayakers, anglers, hikers, and conservationists from around the globe acknowledge Norway as a sanctuary for unspoiled nature.

So this resolution is greater than only a coverage change. It’s a betrayal of the very landscapes that outline Norway’s identification. It’s a direct assault on the individuals who have relied on these waterways for generations.

What Norwegian Rivers are at Danger?

Over the previous many years, Norway has labored to guard its most beneficial and distinctive river ecosystems, together with:

• Sjoa – One in every of Europe’s most well-known whitewater rivers, the Sjoa is an important hub for outside tourism. Rafters have been paddling this river because the late Eighties.
• Rauma – A pristine salmon river recognized for its clear waters and breathtaking surroundings. The world-famous Troll Wall (Trollveggen) is situated on the southwestern shore of this river.
• Gaula – Routinely named among the many greatest Atlantic salmon fishing rivers within the nation, the Gaula helps each nature and native economies, and is the biggest river in Central Norway.
• Vefsna – the biologically wealthy Vefsna has its headwaters in Børgefjell Nationwide Park. It’s residence to a number of uncommon aquatic species and is a essential a part of the ecosystem.
• Øystesevassdraget – this river has extraordinarily excessive conservation worth, and has lengthy been protected for its distinctive pure surroundings.
• Raundalselva – one of the crucial lovely rivers in Norway, the Raundalselva is a lifeline for a lot of outside companies and the glue that holds the Voss whitewater group collectively. Ekstremsportveko, the world’s largest excessive sports activities competition, is held partly on the waters of the Raundalselva.

If this proposal passes, these iconic rivers, and lots of others, may lose their authorized safety, opening them up for growth.

How Did This Occur?

This radical proposal was launched with out prior session, public debate, or environmental influence evaluation. It was added to laws initially meant to enhance flood and landslide preparedness. As an alternative of serving to nature, it now threatens it.

The proposal has already obtained majority assist in Parliament, backed by the Progress Get together, the Conservative Get together, the Christian Democratic Get together, the Labour Get together, and the Centre Get together. Except we cease it, the legislation will move subsequent week.

What Can You Do?

We can not enable this to occur with out a combat. The time to behave is now. On behalf of the river group of Voss, which has labored tirelessly to guard simply certainly one of Norway’s few remaining untouched rivers, we name on you—the worldwide outside group, environmental organizations, and all who love wild nature—to face with us.

The Norges Naturvernforbund (Norwegian Society for the Conservation of Nature) has created a petition, linked under, to protest the allowance of hydropower in protected waterways. Readers are inspired to signal, share, and assist!

Different actions we are able to take:

Unfold the phrase: Share this message with fellow outside lovers, media shops, and conservation teams.

Write to Norwegian lawmakers: Demand that they reject this proposal and uphold Norway’s commitments to environmental safety.

Assist native and worldwide conservation efforts: Be part of organizations preventing to guard Norway’s rivers and biodiversity.

Make your voice heard: Whether or not you’re a paddler, angler, photographer, or nature lover, your phrases and actions could make a distinction.

These rivers are usually not simply Norway’s. They’re a part of our shared international pure heritage. As soon as they’re gone, they may by no means return. Stand with us. Struggle for the rivers. Defend Norway’s wild waters.

Signed,

Ina Marie Bollingberg, Joe Rea-Dickins, and the whitewater group of Voss, Norway (who selected to settle right here, largely, because of the protected nature of the area’s rivers)