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Maritime planning is twofold:
On the one hand, it involves a policy on maritime spatial planning, which provides the foundation for the development of regional marine plans.
On the other hand, it involves regional marine plans, planning instruments that set out more detailed policfies based on local circumstances and conditions.
Strategy for Maritime Spatial Planning
The policy on maritime planning is set out in the National Planning Policy. It includes the state policy on maritime planning and provides the basis for the development of regional marine plans. The policy may address, among other things:
Activities in marine and coastal areas, such as energy production, aquaculture and cultivation of marine recources, extraction of materials, transport and tourism.
Protection of marine and coastal areas
Natural hazard
Outdoor recreation and more
The policy on maritime planning applies to marine and coastal areas extending to the outer limits of Iceland's Exclusive Economic Zone.
A regional marine plan is a development plan for defined areas in fjords and bays located outside municipal boundaries. It sets out the government policy and decisions regarding the use and protection of the area. The plan is based on the overarching policy of maritime planning and must be coordinated with land-use planning.
The purpose of regional marine planning is to:
Promote the conservation and maintenance of ecosystems.
Provide a basis for diverse uses.
Reduce conflict between different activities.
Support informed decision-making regarding projects and operations.
Thus, a regional marine plan may include policies on the use of areas for, for example, aquaculture or cultivation of marine resources, material extraction, nature conservation, transportation routes and tourism, among other things.
The regional marine plan provides the basis for permitting projects and other activities within the area it covers.
Regional marine plans are prepared in cooperation between the state and municipalities. The minister responsible for planning appoints a regional planning council responsible for the plan's preparation. The National Planning Agency prepares the plan on behalf and under the authority of the council.
The Minister responsible for planning appoints eight representatives, four ministerial representatives, three local government representatives and one from the Icelandic Association of Local Authorities.
The regional council consists of representatives of:
the Minister for the Environment and Energy
the Minister for Fisheries
the Minister for Tourism
the Minister for Transport- and electronic communications
along with three representatives from adjacent municipalities
one representative from the Association of Municipalities in Iceland.
Various agencies and watershed committees act as advisors to the regional planning council and the National Planning Agency on the regional marine plan preparation.
Examples of advisory bodies include:
Icelandic Tourist Board
Directorate of Fisheries
Marine and Freshwater Research Institute,
Land and Forest Iceland
Icelandic Coast Guard
Iceland Housing and Construction Authority
Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority
Cultural Heritage Agency of Iceland
Icelandic Institute of Natural History
Icelandic Transport Authority
Icelandic Environment and Energy Agency
Meteorological Office
Icelandic Road Administration.
The Minister of Planning appoints a consultative group for each regional marine plan. The consultation group advises the regional council on the development of the plan.
The consultation group shall consist of representatives appointed by:
Environmental protection organisations
Tourism associations
The Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise
Outdoor recreation associations
Along with representative that the regional council may appoint.
Description
The preparation of a regional marine plan begins with the appointment of a regional planning council by the Minister responsible for planning. The regional planning council, together with the National Planning Agency acting on its behalf, prepares a project description for the plan. This document outlines:
The topics and issues that will be addressed in the plan
The proposed methodology and process for preparing the plan
The regional planning council seeks comments on the draft project description from relevant advisory bodies.
The description is presented publicly, giving the general public and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input. At the same time, comments are requested from the consulting group and the municipal councils of adjacent municipalities.
Regional Marine Plan Proposal
The regional planning council, and the National Planning Agency on its behalf, prepare a proposal for the regional marine plan in accordance with the project description and taking into account feedback received from the public and consulted parties throughout the process.
As part of the plan preparation, an environmental assessment is conducted, and its results used to shape the proposal.
Residents and other stakeholders are given opportunities to participate in the planning process, for example, through public meetings and consultation events.
Once the regional marine plan proposal is ready, it is made publicly available, and feedback is invited from the general public, the consultation group, advisory bodies, and other stakeholders.
Adoption and Confirmation of the Regional Marine Plan
The regional planning council responds to comments received during the public consultation phase and makes revisions where appropriate.
The council then adopts the regional marine plan and submits it to the Minister for formal confirmation.
The plan enters into force once it has been confirmed by the Minister and published in the Official Gazette.
If the National Planning Agency or the adjacent municipality finds that the coastal area plan needs to be revised, the relevant party informs the minister.
The Minister requests that the regional council, revises the plan.
The Minister may also, on his own initiative, request a regional council to prepare a proposal for a change on Regional Marine Plan
Legislation and Regulations
Act on Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning, No. 88/2018.
Regulation on the Preparation of Coastal Spatial Plans, No. 330/2020.
