The government relaxes beach protection • “Important to counteract climate effects”
The law, which is proposed to go into effect on July 1, 2025, removes shoreline protection for lakes that are “one hectare or less” and “watercourses two meters wide or narrower,” according to the memo.
The new law will make it easier for private individuals to build near small watercourses and lakes, as well as for companies to start operations. Something that is welcomed with open arms by the Center Party’s environmental policy spokesperson, Stina Larsson.
“The Center Party further welcomes liberalizations such as these. The proposals are based on the investigation that the Center Party negotiated in JA. That it took two years into the mandate period is a failure and now it is important to succeed in getting the changes in place before the end of the mandate period,” writes TV4 Nyheterna.
But the bill has also met with some criticism, including from the Nature Conservation Association.
– If you remove all protection around small lakes and watercourses, you remove the protection for valuable nature that is often found right on the shoreline. Five to ten percent of Sweden’s surface becomes unprotected because of this, says Karin Lexén, general secretary and head of the National Office of the Nature Protection Association.
Beaches protect against flooding and poison
The beaches by our lakes and waterways are home to a lot of biological diversity, something that risks disappearing if the areas are not protected according to Karin Lexén.
– In the coastal zone there are many important plants and aquatic organisms, the water is a nursery for fish.
In addition, the beaches are important to protect against floods and environmental toxins.
– The coastal zones are important to protect against climate effects. A hard-laid surface cannot soak up in case of flooding, then the water continues on. A soft natural beach can absorb water and buffer, despite different levels of water flow. The beach can also retain environmental toxins and fertilizing substances, says Karin Lexén.
– Floods can also affect smaller watercourses and smaller systems, above all when the climate crisis increases.
“Beach protection an important part of public rights”
Now the Nature Conservation Society is worried that the loosening of the beach protection will also have consequences for bathers.
– Beach protection is an important part of public rights. That regardless of wallet, you should have access to attractive beaches. It has provided Swedes with a unique opportunity to be at the best beaches. It is important for tourism that you should not have to pay to enter a beach.
Karin Lexén thinks it is important to read up on what the new bill entails and she is worried about what it might lead to.
– We are worried that they want to go ahead and remove the general beach protection. That would be very bad.