Northern regions :::::::::

Nuclear security has been given high priority by both Norwegian and Russian authorities ever since the beginning of the 90s. The most important tool for Norwegian authorities is the Governmental action plan for nuclear issues that was effectuated in 1995. The overall target is to protect health, environment and business activity against radioactive pollution.

Border area cooperation::::

The environmental problems along the border between Russia and Norway, in Finnmark and Murmansk, are mainly connected to pollution from the mining industry, the nickel plant in Pechenga, and use of non-regenerative natural resources. Today, outlets of sulphur and dust from the nickel-plants in Pechenga are several times higher than the total outlet in Norway. This pollution has resulted in severe damage on trees, acidification of water and soil, and made a high content of heavy metals in lichens and mosses. The rebuilding of the nickel plant has started, and the Ministry of the Environment channels the Norwegian contribution to the modernisation through a special grant

Future tasks:
An important job in the years to come will be the cooperation for the environment between Norwegian and Russian authorities, and to decide what demands should be accomplished in environmental and safety issues before approval of projects. The work will focus on procedures for approval of projects for the environment in Russia that Norway support. The goal is to increase the efficiency in approving and licensing these projects in order to avoid unnecessary delays. Other important subjects ahead will be inspection of sea areas in order to watch levels and trends of radioactive contamination, and control the many sources of pollution. An emergency cooperation is initialised, involving early warning and exchange of information. This cooperation is directed especially against the Kola power plant and the fleet of icebreakers. More information about the Norwegian work in radiation protection is on the web pages of the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA).