Reindeer Husbandry and Barents 2030

Svein Disch Mathiesen

Svein Disch Mathiesen

here, reindeer husbandry can say whatever they want”. There has been no will to compromise. There was no will to move parts of the power line, at least not during the first meetings, even though the reindeer herders argued as best as they could about the negative effects which would be expected. At the same time, it was said from the beginning that (the power line company) would try to adjust the construction work according to reindeer herd- ing interests. In the end, the attitude was completely dif- ferent, and economy became a big issue – this alternative was least expensive, and there was no longer talk about other interests and to adjust the location of the power line according to other business interests. The power line in- terests were most important, and all other parties should adjust to them, the developers. If Statoil should run a simi- lar line… it will be a hopeless situation if they have no ad- justment margins in their plans. But consultations are not over yet, so there is still a chance that they will turn in the last minute. Perhaps that is their tactic – to be rigid in the first round, and to be more compromising in the end. Wind power is also a problem. For instance, on Fosen, the developers have taken over the entire district with their power plants. This can happen also in Northern Troms, if the plans are not changed in the last minute. Perhaps reindeer can habituate to wind mills in the future – we

don’t know. Anyway, we will go through a period of tran- sition which will be difficult. And the infrastructure that follows the wind power plants will remain. Wind power occupies areas that have not been attractive to devel- opment earlier, such as high-altitude areas, areas con- sidered non-productive by most people, but being very important to reindeer husbandry during parts of the year. I saw this on Nordkyn, where particularly good spring and fall pastures were developed. On March 17, 2009, NVE 1 announced an overview of the wind power and related development projects that are currently on the table and there are 260 projects in the Sámi area alone. Sara responded in the media: I had never thought that there were so many power projects underway in areas within reindeer husbandry [...] For us, it only means one thing, namely, less pasture for reindeer. Loss of pastures is the biggest challenge rein- deer husbandry is facing. 2 1. Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) is subordinated to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and is re- sponsible for administering Norway’s water and energy resources. 2. Reindrifta sjokkert over kraft-planer , NRK Sámi Radio. www.nrk. no/kanal/nrk_sami_radio/1.6528336 (accessed March 17, 2009). ” ” “

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