23rd February 2022

Amendment to the Regulation on the establishment of coastal regional planning

On February 1, 2022, the Minister of Infrastructure signed a regulation that is an amendment to Regulation No. 330/2020 on the creation of coastal zone planning. The amendment includes a definition of occupancy categories for the presentation of coastal zone planning on the drawings and in the memorandum.

26th January 2022

Magnús Jóhannesson, new chair of the regional councils

Sigurður Ingi Jóhannesson has now appointed Magnús Jóhannesson as chair of the regional councils for the development of coastal planning in the East Fjords and West Fjords.

10th December 2021

The issue of marine and coastal planning moves from the Minister of the Environment to the Minister of Infrastructure

According to the Presidential decree on the division of the Administrative Board published on 28 November, the Law on the Structure of the Sea and Coastal Regions and therefore issues related to the marine and coastal planning are transferred to the new Office of the Minister of Infrastructure, which previously belonged to the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources.

16th April 2021

Diverse activities and birdlife and nature in the coastal areas of the Eastern and Westfjords

The Icelandic National Planning Agency has published preliminary and consultation reports for the work on the development of coastal area planning in the East Fjords and West Fjords. Diverse activities and resource utilization are carried out in the planning areas as well as they are used for outdoor activities of various kinds. The areas are connected to important bird areas and a number of seals, as well as areas protected by vegetation, landscape, wildlife and natural resources.

5th March 2021

National Planning proposal presented to the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources

The Director of the Icelandic National Planning Agency, Ásdís Hlökk Theodórsdóttir, has presented the Icelandic National Planning Agency’s proposal to Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, as an appendix to the National Planning Policy 2015-2026. The proposal sets out a policy on climate, landscape and public health in relation to the implementation of planning. The priorities set out in the proposal are in many ways intertwined with the current national planning policy, which was adopted by the Icelandic parliament in 2016 and covers planning in central highlands, in rural and urban areas, and in marine and coastal areas.

15th September 2020

Marine Research Institute proposal for farming areas for aquaculture in Arnarfjörður

The Director of the Icelandic National Planning Agency, Ásdís Hlökk Theodórsdóttir, has presented the Icelandic National Planning Agency’s proposal to Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, as an appendix to the National Planning Policy 2015-2026. The proposal sets out a policy on climate, landscape and public health in relation to the implementation of planning. The priorities set out in the proposal are in many ways intertwined with the current national planning policy, which was adopted by the Icelandic parliament in 2016 and covers planning in central highlands, in rural and urban areas, and in marine and coastal areas.

14th August 2020

Notes on the Marine Research Institute proposal for aquaculture farming areas in Arnarfjörður

The Icelandic Marine Research Institute (Hárannsóknastofnunin) announced on 3 July a proposal for a fish farming area in Arnarfjörður in accordance with Article 4a of the Law on Aquaculture. The presentation period was until 7 August last year.

7th July 2020

Regional Councils comments on comments made on the description

Descriptions for the development of coastal area planning in the East Fjords and West Fjords were advertised on 7 May and also presented at open briefings streamed on the website of the Icelandic National Planning Agency. The regional councils have prepared a summary of written comments received during the briefings and the regional councils’ comments on them.

3rd July 2020

Proposed farming areas for aquaculture in Arnarfjörður

The Marine Research Institute has sent the Icelandic National Planning Agency, in accordance with Article 4a of the Law on Aquaculture, its proposal for the demarcation of farming areas for aquaculture in Arnarfjörður. This is the first proposal for farming areas that is prepared on the basis of this legal provision. The Marine Research Institute’s decision on farming areas is a prerequisite for the Minister of Fisheries to be able to allocate areas for aquaculture in the sea.

6th May 2020

Coastal planning in the Eastern and Westfjords

The preparation of a coastal area plan in the Westfjords and Eastfjords is underway on the basis of the Law on the Planning of Marine and Coastal Areas. The Regional Council for each region, appointed by the Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, is responsible for the preparation of the relevant coastal area plan. The planning organisation is responsible for the preparation of the plan under the authority of the regional councils.