The argument about the new E6 past Lillehammer continues. Conservationists call what remains of the proposed environmental measures “thin soup”. Developer Nye Veier, for its part, believes that this is the best that can be achieved based on the assumptions. In February, the government agreed to allow the construction of the new E6 through the Lågendelta, thereby dividing the nature conservation area in two. One of the prerequisites for the construction was that the government should find new measures to reduce the environmental disadvantages. One of the most important was to remove the air spans over the Lågen Delta. But Statnett has not taken that into account in a new consultation on the high-voltage cables. Several nature conservation organizations are now listed. NEW ROAD: Here, it is planned that the new E6 will cross the Lågen delta over Våløya. What happens to the air springs is currently unclear. Photo: Reidar Gregersen Provided that air spans were to be removed Removing the air spans over the Lågen delta has been a requirement of the State Administrator for the Inland region on several occasions. An agreement has also been entered into between Statnett and Nye Veier that Nye Veier will cover the costs for this. Therefore, the State Administrator is now surprised that the proposal is not included in the new consultation. – From our side, it has been an important premise for bringing forward new E6 in the nature reserve, that you replace one intervention with another, says department director in the area and climate department, Jørn Karlsen. He assumes that Statnett will now take this further into the process. REMOVING PROTECTION: The Lågen delta will be split in two here at Våløya so that Nye Veier can build a road through the area. Photo: Reidar Gregersen Statnett replies that the process is in an early phase, and that there will be several rounds of consultation before it is finally decided what happens to the cables across the delta. Seven of the current power lines will anyway be laid in the bridge, they state. There is still uncertainty around the last ten. Environmentalists: – Very serious Several conservationists are also reacting to the new hearing. Ragnhild Bjørnsen in the Friends of the Laagen Delta says that the high-voltage cables that already exist over the Lågen are killing many birds. – If there is also a bridge directly under the wires, you get what they call a double barrier, she says. Leader of the Nature Conservation Association in Lillehammer, Terje Onshus, also points out that there are many birds flying back and forth in this area. – It is very serious because the State Administrator has assumed both in 2018 and in 2022 that the cables should be laid in bridges, and then it does not happen. There will be noise from the bridge too, so that will make it even worse, he says. Lågendeltaet nature reserve The purpose of the conservation is, according to the legal text, to “preserve an important and special wetland area in its natural state with vegetation and wildlife, and to protect a particularly rich and interesting bird life, especially out of consideration for migrating, nesting and wintering waterfowl.” There are a number of predictions for the area. Among other things, all vegetation in water and on land is protected against all forms of damage and destruction. It is not allowed to introduce new plant species. Hunting, trapping, the use of firearms and also letting dogs loose are prohibited. Furthermore, it is stated that “measures that can change the natural conditions” must not be implemented. This means, among other things, that it is not permitted to erect buildings or roads. Motorized traffic on land and sea is prohibited north of Vingnesbrua. In the period from 15 April to 14 May, all traffic on water and shallow areas in parts of the delta is prohibited. The area was established as a nature reserve by the Crown Prince Reg. will be established. of 12 October 1990. New ways: – Understanding of involvement news has contacted the Ministry of Climate and the Environment, but neither they nor the Ministry of Transport will comment on the matter. They refer to Nye Veier, which is responsible for the mitigating measures. – After all, we are going through a nature reserve and we have great respect and understanding that it arouses commitment. But after careful investigations, this is now as optimal as it can get with the measures we are taking, says development director at Nye Veier, Espen Almlid. OPTIMAL SOLUTION: The director of development in Nye Veier believes that the solutions for the new E6 are as good as they can be given the conditions for the development of the road. Photo: Aleksandr Nedbaev / news When it comes to power lines, he believes that seven to twelve of the current 17 lines can be bridged and that it will be a big improvement. Acid-forming clay shale But the nature conservation organizations are also concerned about another aspect of the development. It is about potentially acid-forming shale in the tunnel to be built south of Lågen. This is poison that is found naturally in the stone. As long as this is encapsulated in the rock it poses no danger, but when the substance comes into contact with air and/or water, toxic sulfuric acid can be produced. – It will be able to destroy a lot of life in water and air if it is to be used in the road body (filling material in road construction, journal note). It should have been taken to a special landfill, but an exemption has been granted for that. It is very serious, says Onshus in the Nature Conservancy. They believe it would cost at least NOK 1.4 billion to deposit this in a proper manner. The shale masses are handled according to the terms of the discharge permit they have, according to Nye Veier. They will be assessed and analyzed and either end up in an approved landfill or it can be reused because the conditions and analyzes indicate it. – So we now believe that we have many good measures in terms of light, sound, speed, restoration of the area around Lågen. It is not about spending the most money, but about taking the most appropriate measures, says Almlid. Thin soup The conservation organizations are not satisfied, however. They believe that the mitigating measures should ensure that the so-called west side alternative for the road development was more favorable for nature than the east side alternative. – But that has not happened. It’s a thin soup, a big joke. There are a couple of measures that are good, but which depend on tolls or that the municipality allocates money, says Terje Onshus, and refers to a project with an environmental road over the old E6 and a possible flood embankment in the tributary Gausa. Øyvin Aamodt in Laagendeltaet’s friends believes that the government and Nye Veier are now looking to save money. – They want to build as cheaply as possible and we want them to build as expensively as possible. Because that is the way in which the environment and nature are best taken care of, he says. Nye Veier’s proposal for mitigating measures Reduce barrier effects Underlying bridge support to reduce the risk of collision and barrier in the reserve Cabling of 22 kV lines in the bridge Arrangements for future cabling of 300 kV lines in the bridge. Agreement with Statnett to cover additional costs Bird repellents on 300 kV lines up to these cables Reduce land use Shorter bridge to reduce the encroachment area Optimized crossing point and pillar placement to avoid important natural values Restoration of the Kollefall stream with environmental design Reduce habitat deterioration Lower bridge to reduce barriers and noise impact in the reserve Reduced light pollution Collection and purification of road water Two meter high noise screens Advance bridge to reduce the need and scope of construction work in the reserve Brutype which gives greater flexibility in the construction phase to take account of particularly vulnerable periods in the reserve In addition, Nye Veier will finance the protection of Rykkhustjønna nature reserve 68 kilometers further north as a compensatory protection.
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Reacting to proposals for environmental measures on the Lågendelta in Lillehammer. – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
