The case concerning the validity of the licences for Balsfjord – Skaidi started in Nord-Troms District Court last week. The validity of the licence to construct the Balsfjord - Skaidi power line is being disputed by four districts; 24T Helligskogen, 37 Skarfvaggi, 26 Lákkonjárga, and 22 Fiettar. Ten days have been assigned to the case.
Statnett is of the opinion that all rights have been clarified;
"The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) has granted a final licence that cannot be appealed, and the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has approved all Construction and Environmental Management Plans (CEMP plans) which include consideration for the reindeer industry,” says Jacob Grønn, Project Manager for Balsfjord – Skaidi.
"The CEMP plans were appealed by three of the districts mentioned. However, no suspensive effect was granted," Grønn explains. "This means that the construction work may continue while the legal dispute is being settled."
Grønn emphasises that reindeer husbandry will be taken into consideration during its most vulnerable periods, i.e. during migration, calving and tagging. "We stop construction during those periods," Grønn concludes.
The proceedings will finish this week and a decision is expected in the course of this autumn.
Compensation
The case of appraisement, which will assess the issue of compensation for the affected reindeer industry parties and landowners, has been scheduled for the period 27 August - 16 September 2018 for the Balsfjord - Reisadalen section and 29 April - 19 May 2019 for the Reisadalen - Skillemoen section. The Court will assess whether consideration shown during the construction period and mitigating actions that have been implemented have been sufficient, or whether the parties are entitled to further compensation.