Utredning Angående Rennäringens skydd mot vattenkraftens markexploatering

The report examines the legal framework protecting Sami reindeer husbandry from hydropower exploitation in Sweden. It details the historical marginalisation of Sami rights, the current permit process under the Environmental Code, and the implications of new 2019 legislation requiring the review of existing hydropower plants for modern environmental conditions. The analysis highlights the challenges Sami villages face in being recognised as stakeholders and the financial burdens of legal proceedings during reviews.

• Historically, hydropower development in northern Sweden often ignored Sami land rights, with the state viewing these areas as 'wastelands' and prioritising industrial returns over reindeer husbandry.
• Reindeer husbandry rights are recognised as a non-time-limited usufructuary right based on immemorial prescription and are constitutionally protected as property rights under the Instrument of Government.
• Under the Environmental Code, reindeer husbandry is considered a protectable public interest, and areas of significance must be protected from measures that could 'significantly hinder' the industry's operation.
• Sami villages are legally considered stakeholders (sakägare) when hydropower activities are proposed within their reindeer husbandry areas and may cause harm or nuisance to the industry.
• In first-instance permit cases at the Land and Environmental Court, the operator is required to pay the legal costs of the stakeholders, including the Sami villages.
• New legislation effective January 1, 2019, requires existing hydropower plants to be reviewed to ensure they meet modern environmental conditions, which will affect many plants in reindeer husbandry areas.
• The review process for modern environmental conditions is simplified; it does not mandate a formal consultation process or an environmental impact assessment (EIA), increasing the risk that Sami interests are overlooked.
• Unlike new permit applications, the 2019 review process requires each party to bear their own legal costs, which the report notes as a significant burden for Sami villages.

APA

Wikland, C., Länta, L., & Mikaelsdotter, A. (2019). Utredning Angående Rennäringens skydd mot vattenkraftens markexploatering. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/utredning-rennäring-vattenkraft-2020-04-01.pdf

Chicago

Wikland, Camilla, Lisa Länta, and Amanda Mikaelsdotter. Utredning Angående Rennäringens skydd mot vattenkraftens markexploatering. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2019. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/utredning-rennäring-vattenkraft-2020-04-01.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Wikland |first1=Camilla |last2=Länta |first2=Lisa |last3=Mikaelsdotter |first3=Amanda |title=Utredning Angående Rennäringens skydd mot vattenkraftens markexploatering |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=4 November 2019 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/utredning-rennäring-vattenkraft-2020-04-01.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wikland2019utredning, author = {Wikland, Camilla and Länta, Lisa and Mikaelsdotter, Amanda}, title = {{Utredning Angående Rennäringens skydd mot vattenkraftens markexploatering}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2019}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/utredning-rennäring-vattenkraft-2020-04-01.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }