Representation by National Planning Agency (National Planning Agency)
- Date submitted
- 29 September 2020
- Submitted by
- Other statutory consultees
INTRODUCTION The National Planning Agency is a state authority, under the Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources, responsible for the administration and implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act. The National Planning Agency wishes to register as an interested party on behalf of Iceland. REPRESENTATION -Significant transboundary effects not likely- After consulting with the relevant authorities on the proposed development, Iceland is of the view that the proposed development is not likely to have a significant effect on the environment of our state under normal operation. -Major accidents might lead to significant effects on marine environment around Iceland- A major accident and disaster event might possibly cause significant impact on the marine environment around Iceland. This could be from airborne contamination, long term transport with currents and via uptake through the foodweb in particular with migrating species such as Northeast Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and Norwegian spring-spawning herring (Clupea harengus). It is well known from literature that radioactive nucleotides from both Sellafield and La Hague reprocessing plants make their way north along the Norwegian coast and recirculate in the Nordic Seas, reaching Icelandic waters within a few years. Iceland suggests such accidents should be addressed in the EIA.