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§ 58 Environmental surveys in the event of acute pollution

Environmental surveys shall be carried out in the event of acute pollution to identify and describe damage to vulnerable environmental values in the open sea, along the coast and at the shoreline. The surveys shall be initiated as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours after the pollution was detected. They shall build on results from the mapping of vulnerable environmental values that has been carried out in accordance with Section 53 and the data basis from the environmental risk analyses, cf. Section 17 of the Management Regulations. The effect of mechanical clean-up and/or use of dispersants and shoreline cleaning agents shall be investigated, both with regard to the efficacy of the combatting method and the effect on environmental values.
Section last changed: 01 January 2016

Follow-up surveys mean chemical and biological surveys both during and after acute pollution. It should be possible to utilise the results of such surveys both during the combat phase with regard to evaluation of relevant measures for optimal combating of the pollution, and in the restoration phase with regard to identification of environmental values that have been harmed. Such surveys may require special instrumentation and technical measuring equipment, particularly in the event of underwater discharges for surveys in the water column.
The Norwegian Environment Agency's Guidelines for environmental surveys in marine environment following acute oil pollution (TA-2995/2012) (in Norwegian only) provide a framework for the contents of such surveys.
A survey report shall be submitted to the National Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Environment Agency in accordance with Section 30 of the Management Regulations.