Asphalt laid illegally on a road through the Slettnes nature reserve in Gamvik, in Norway's far north, will not have to be removed, the county governor's office for Troms and Finnmark has decided, NRK reports.
The 1.6km stretch of gravel road on the Nordkinn peninsula was surfaced two years ago on the orders of the municipality's then chief executive, who said he had not involved local politicians. The reserve's protection rules forbid such work without special permission. A district court declined to punish the municipality, but on appeal the Hålogaland Court of Appeal fined it 500,000 kroner.
County governor Runar Sjåstad said that, after weighing both options, removing the asphalt would do more harm to nature and wildlife, through construction work, future maintenance and extra airborne dust. Gamvik municipality had reacted strongly when removal was first suggested.
Source: NRK
