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Environmental quality standards were introduced when The Environmental Code
(Miljöbalken) came into force in 1999. For ambient air there are standards for
levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, lead and particles. The standard
for nitrogen dioxide is difficult to achieve in Stockholm County and the present levels will be illegal in 2006.
For this reason the government has enjoined Stockholm County Administrative
Board, together with key players in the county, to produce proposals for
dealing with the problem
The
Environmental Code states that a programme of measures will be established
concerning whether an environmental quality standard will be complied with or
whether the requirement for this should follow on from an EC Directive. This
programme will be drawn up by the government or by one or several authorities
or municipalities/statutory joint-authorities appointed by the government. A
programme of measures may cover all kinds of activities that affect the levels
of pollution covered by the standard, and may also include activity which is
not subject to permits under law.
Task of the County
Administrative Board
The government
has given the County Administrative Board the task of producing proposals for a
programme of measures that will meet the standard for nitrogen dioxide
throughout the entire county. The commission also includes the Board which
formulates the proposals in consultation with the county municipalities, the
County Council and Stockholm Transport Commission. The County Administrative
Board shall also consult with the central and regional authorities concerned,
including the Swedish National Road Administration, the Swedish National Rail
Administration, the Swedish National Heritage Board, the Swedish Environmental
Protection Agency and the Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and
Planning. The County Administrative Board will decide on the detailed handling
of the commission. An account of the commission will be submitted to the
government by June 1st, 2003 at the latest. The Environmental Code (Section 5,
paragraph 6) states what a programme of measures will include. In the
commission given by the government, there is also the task of calculating what
the proposed measures will cost, who should be responsible for ensuring the
measures are implemented, and who is to pay for them. To the extent that they
are applicable, the provisions in the ordinance (1998:1820) on a special environmental
impact assessment of the effect of the regulations on the conditions of small
businesses will be followed.
For More information on the action
plan to reduce the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in the county of Stockholm go to:
http://www.ab.lst.se/upload/dokument/miljo_och_halsa/miljolagstiftning/MKN/engelska.pdf |