Norwegian Government Wants New State Land Management Scheme in the Arctic

The Norwegian government has decided to initiate the process of exploring opportunities for a new management scheme for state-owned land in Nordland and the former Troms county, aiming to secure more influence and involvement in outland management from local communities and indigenous stakeholders.

This work is a follow-up from a 2007 whitepaper about what would be the best scheme. The whitepaper committee was divided in its view on what the best scheme would be for managing state-owned land in Nordland and the former Troms county. The committee majority proposed a separate scheme containing elements from the Mountains Act, which applies in southernmore parts of the country, however, with special adjustments made for the particular conditions in Nordland and Troms.

Regardless of what model is chosen, current use land use rights and owner rights for private parties is to remain put. That is a preconditions for the selection of a future management model.