The government wants to simplify environmental assessments for the defence.
Instead of years, it will take weeks to get permits, for example, to practise and shoot more.
The Armed Forces need to scale up to meet the deteriorated security situation. Among other things, they want to be able to shoot more and fly more, so that the forces are ready in case of war.
But today, environmental assessments often put a stop to this. The processes can take up to ten years, which is too long according to the defence, which has sounded the alarm to the government.
Now the government is responding to the defence's request. Instead of years, it will take weeks, for example, to get increased flights at an airfield or extended shooting times at a shooting range.
The environmental requirements will not be lowered, but will remain the same, according to the government.
The idea is that it should go faster while we still maintain the same environmental standards as we usually do, says Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L).
To get an exemption
The regulatory relief has been laid out in a temporary ordinance, which will apply for five years. Through this, the Armed Forces are proposed to be exempt from permit assessments in certain cases – instead, a notification of the activity will suffice.
Furthermore, the processing is proposed to be expedited. The Defence Inspectorate for Health and Environment (FIHM), which examines notifications according to the Environmental Code, will issue decisions within either six or twelve weeks, depending on the activity.
After the five-year period, the idea is that the activities that have been exempted will be assessed according to the ordinary system.
Defence Minister Pål Jonson (M) emphasizes that the Armed Forces consider the measures necessary to be able to grow and develop according to plan.
This should naturally be seen in the light of the greatly increased international defence cooperation, primarily through NATO membership, which means that many more foreign troops will come to Sweden, he says.
Will local residents be affected?
He cannot give any concrete examples of activities that are currently waiting for permits, but says that the defence itself has mentioned both airfields and shooting ranges.
Is there any reason to worry for the general public and local residents who will be affected in these areas?
I wouldn't say there's any reason to worry. This is about how the processing is done. The defence will still have to meet environmental and health requirements, says Pourmokhtari.
The proposals, which are based on Councilor Peter Ardö's investigation from November 2022, are now being sent out for consultation. Thereafter, the changes are proposed to come into effect as soon as possible this autumn.
