The act is a collection of updated environmental legislation for
Svalbard. It deals with area protection, species management (flora and
fauna), human artefacts, land use plans, pollution, waste disposal,
traffic and cabins.
It lays down important overriding principles of environmental law
with regard to prudence, notification rules, the precautionary principle,
total strain assessments, economic accountability for environmental
damage, environment techniques and aspects of investment.
The purpose of the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act is to safeguard
virtually untouched area in Svalbard. Within the limits of this
framework, environmentally sound settlement, research and
commercial activity is provided for.
The act and its related regulations came into effect on 1 July 2002.
(10/03/2008 Oppdatert: 09/04/2008)