The Aksla quarry in Western Norway gets the green light – fears of rock carvings in the vicinity – NRK Vestland

The Ministry of Local Government and Districts has approved a new one quarry on top of the mountain peak Aksla.

The planning area is located on the Dyrstad peninsula outside Svelgen in Bremanger municipality, which is already home to several industrial enterprises.

Vingen is nearby petroglyph fieldwhich is the second largest rock carving field in Norway and one of the largest in Northern Europe, with over 2,000 figures.

In addition to the quarry, there are plans for a shipping quay with filling in the sea area where a crushing plant will be installed.

The ministry’s yes makes many people stiff-necked.

– For me, it is completely absurd

Because in addition to the cultural heritage and the untouched nature, there are several red-listed species in the area, among others boreone morality rainforest.

In the past, both the National Archives and the State Administrator have raised objections to the plans, and received support from the Ministry of Climate and the Environment.

Trond Andreas Klungseth Lødøen is associate professor at the department of cultural history at the University of Bergen. He has been involved in the case for over several years, and reacts strongly to the decision.

– It is despairing. To me it is completely absurd. It’s not real, he says.

Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen announced in January that he would not “cut corners” in the municipalities to slow the loss of nature.

The clarification came after increased pressure to transfer more of the spatial planning to a higher administrative level, which can have a more holistic and overall view of nature conservation.

NRK documented earlier this year that there have been 44,000 interventions in Norwegian nature in the last five years.

– We are disappointed that the government chooses to ignore crystal clear objections, and wonder what more is actually needed to protect valuable coastal rainforest and ancient petroglyphs from destruction, says leader of the Nature Conservation Association, Truls Gulowsen.

– Great public benefit

In the original plans, a larger facility was drawn in at the top of the mountain. But this has been adjusted down by around 30 per cent, and the size of the quay has been roughly halved.

In its assessment, the Ministry of Local Government and District Affairs emphasizes that the scope has been reduced, and that predictions have been made to limit the negative environmental effects.

Emphasis is also placed on the fact that the project will be of great benefit to society. The stone that is taken out is Devonian sandstonewhich, among other things, is used to make asphalt in Northern Europe.

In the end, the ministry concludes that the project has been adequately risk-assessed in view of the environmental protection challenges.

– It has taken far too long

The mayor of Bremanger says she is relieved that a decision has finally been reached in the case.

– It has taken far too long. And it is also completely in line with the mineral strategy of the current government to have this type of export, she says.

She points out that the industrial municipality has a lot of nature, “and we must take care of it”, but that they also have to have two thoughts in their heads at once.

She has previously depicted the existential dilemma facing the municipality.

– We have a very negative population trend, and we need growth, she told NRK last autumn in connection with the plans for a new ammonia factory in the municipality.

The regulatory plan for the quarry was first adopted in Bremanger municipality back in 2010, and later in a revised format.

It is expected that the quarry will create between 20 and 30 jobs and lead to good ripple effects for the local community.

Plans for a new national park

In parallel with the plans for the quarry being approved, consideration is being given to developing the Hornelen National Park.

The mountain, which is known for the steep cliff at the top, lies directly above the sea because of the quarry.

A paradox, says Lødøen at UiB.

– This is the only area in a fairly large area that has no encroachment, no air span, no roads. It is completely intact, completely authentic. And then the view from the national park should be that one looks down on a quarry?