Environmentally Hazardous Activity Requiring Permit, B-activity

All activities that may have a negative impact on the environment are called environmentally hazardous. This can include emissions to air or water, radiation, noise or odor. Activities requiring permits and notifications are divided into A-, B- and C-activities based on the risk of environmental impact.

B-activity requires a permit from the County Administrative Board and includes activities such as wastewater treatment plants, quarries, fish farming, agriculture with animal husbandry, food and feed production, wood products, wind power plants and many industrial facilities. The Environmental Assessment Delegation (MPD) decides after preparation by the County Administrative Board.

Requirements and Procedure

  • Consultation: Before application, you must consult with the County Administrative Board, municipality, relevant authorities, neighbors and other affected parties. A consultation document must be prepared.
  • Environmental impact assessment: Must be submitted together with the permit application.
  • Announcement and referral: When the case is complete, the application is announced and sent for referral.
  • Decision: The Environmental Assessment Delegation (MPD) makes a decision on the permit, which can be appealed to the Land and Environment Court.
  • Change of operator: If you take over a B-activity that already has a permit, you must notify the County Administrative Board via e-service.

Supervision and Self-monitoring

  • Supervisory authority: The County Administrative Board is the supervisory authority but can delegate supervision to a municipality if the municipal council requests it.
  • Supervision fee: The supervisory authority charges a supervision fee based on the type and size of the activity.
  • Self-monitoring: The operator must have good routines and well-documented self-monitoring.
  • Environmental sanction fee: In case of violations of the Environmental Code, the supervisory authority can decide on an environmental sanction fee or file a police report for serious violations.