Fantastic nature in the new National Parks Plan

The new Swedish National Parks plan covers a total of 13 new parks and extends the boundaries of seven of the 28 existing parks. The new plan lists priority areas such as the marine biodiversity of Kosterhavet, the tundra of Tavvavuomas, the heights of Kebnekaise and Vålådalen-Sylarna, the bogs of Blaikfjället, the mosaic of lakes and beech woods of Västra Åsnen, and the tarns and limestone pavement of Bästeträsk.

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has decided on the new National Parks plan. If all goes well the number of national parks in Sweden will increase from 28 to 40. These are all areas with a documented rich diversity of natural assets and of sufficient importance to qualify as national parks in accordance with international criteria.

The Swedish EPA has adopted a new approach in the planning of national parks. Alongside a new long-term plan, we have drawn up a special implementation plan, in which we list the priority areas for the next five-year period. The plan involves seven new parks and increasing the area of a further seven. The implementation plan includes a detailed description of all the steps in creating a national park.

"Most of these areas have the support of local and regional authorities, which is one of the main reasons we are giving them priority," says Eva Smith, acting Director-General of the agency.

The implementation plan also includes one area where precious natural assets are under threat from development - Bästeträsk on the island of Gotland, where there are plans for a limestone quarry. The issue is currently before the Environmental Court.

"Bästeträsk is an extensive untouched mosaic of limestone pavement, lakes and woodlands, combining to make this site unique. We have given it top priority and are keen to work with the local and regional authorities to establish a national park. This presupposes that there will not be a new limestone quarry in the area," says Rolf Löfgren, an EPA official.

The creation of each new national park requires a government decision followed by an act of parliament. The EPA submits a park proposal when the process of planning a park has reached the appropriate point.

Marine profile

The first new national park under the new plan will be Kosterhavet ("the Koster Sea") in northern Bohuslän on the west coast of Sweden. Inauguration is set for 9 September 2009. Kosterhavet was included in the last national park plan, produced in 1989. It faced initial opposition from fishermen, but opinion later shifted and it was possible to start planning the park.

"National parks offer development opportunities. The State makes a long-term commitment to conserve, manage and showcase an area. This provides reassurance for those investing in ecotourism and other visitor sectors," explains Eva Smith.

Unique nature

Kosterhavet will be Sweden's first marine national park proper. The Baltic island of Gotska Sandön will also assume a greater marine dimension if plans to extend the boundaries of the present national park to include the waters around this Baltic pearl come to fruition.

"The areas have been chosen to complement the present network of 28 national parks. We have included the arctic region, areas of Jämtland and Dalarna in the centre of the country, and Västerbotten in the north to give a better balance in the mountain region and sub-montane forest. New archipelagos and lake landscapes are also included," says Rolf Löfgren.

The State owns a very high proportion of the land, since most of the areas involved already benefit from protection as nature reserves. If the entire plan is carried out, the proportion of protected nature in Sweden will increase from 11.0 to 11.5 per cent. If all plans are implemented, the national parks will represent 35 per cent of protected nature, as compared with the current figure of 15 per cent. Nature reserves will then account for 63 per cent instead of the present figure of 83 per cent.

The seven new national parks given priority for 2009 - 2013 are:
Tavvavuoma and Kebnekaise in Norrbotten County, Vålådalen-Sylarna in Jämtland County, Blaikfjället in Västerbotten County, Kosterhavet in Västra Götaland County, Västra Åsnen in Kronoberg County, and Bästeträsk in Gotland County.

The long-term plan also includes Reivo in Norrbotten County, Vindelfjällen in Västerbotten County, Rogen-Juttulslätten in Dalarna and Jämtland Counties, Koppången in Dalarna County, Nämdöskärgården ("the Nämdö Archipelago") in Stockholm County, and Sankt Anna in Östergötland County.

In addition there will be increases in the areas covered by the following national parks on the priority list for 2009 - 2013: Sarek, (Norrbotten), Björnlandet (Västerbotten), Skuleskogen (Västernorrland), Hamra (Gävleborg), Tiveden (Örebro) and Gotska Sandön (Gotland).

For further information please contact:
Rolf Löfgren, +46 8 698 1392,
rolf.lofgren(a)naturvardsverket.se
Anna Helena Lindahl, Director pro tem, +46 8 698 1214,
anna.helena.lindahl(a)naturvardsverket.se
Anneli Nivrén, Chief Press Officer, +46 8 698 1312, 070-206 37 27,
anneli.nivren(a)naturvardsverket.se

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the central environmental agency. We help to ensure that environmental policy is implemented effectively and with high quality, and that it develops in the appropriate way. The Agency employs 550 people.