What exactly are the missing pieces of information that the Environmental and Food Appeals Board needs to make a decision? When, precisely, can Nakskov Harbor expect to receive its permit? And what will be the consequences for Vestas and their many employees in the area if the work doesn’t start soon?
Appeal regarding dredging permit
These are the questions that Peter Skaarup, a Member of Parliament from the Denmark Democrats, wants Business Minister Morten Bødskov (Social Democrats) to answer. As FemernReport reported yesterday, the Environmental and Food Appeals Board does not expect to have a decision on the dredging permit appeal before the end of November, by which time it will be too late to start the work.
– It’s outrageous, and I hope the government will step in and do something. They talk a lot about balancing Denmark, but speeches aren’t enough. Something needs to happen. The harbor is vital for Nakskov and the entire local community. And there are jobs at stake as well, says Peter Skaarup.
Completely Kafkaesque
Tine Kirk, director of the industry and advocacy organization Danish Ports, is very familiar with the case from Nakskov—more than she’d prefer:
– I’m usually energetic and positive. But this case just deflates me. It’s completely Kafkaesque. Nakskov Harbor has fought so hard and for so long to expand and establish the sailing channel, and yet they keep hitting a brick wall, says Tine Kirk.
Can you explain how processing the case could take more than six years?
– No, I can’t explain that. There’s so much that’s bizarre about this. Nakskov is especially hard hit, but there’s a general problem. On average, it takes between nine months and two years to process a dredging permit after a case has been fully documented. Nakskov has applied for two permits: one for deepening the channel and one for establishing it, says Tine Kirk.
From 10 to 60 pages
Part of the reason for the long processing time, according to Tine Kirk, is that the cases have become more complicated. A dredging permit used to be about 10 pages long, but today it can be up to 60 pages. Additionally, there’s an extra layer of bureaucracy because two authorities are involved in issuing a dredging permit. This needs to be addressed:
– It’s strange that the Environmental Protection Agency has to coordinate with the Coastal Directorate. Meanwhile, complaints can paralyze the system. We need to fight the monster we’ve created. But I’m not very optimistic. Many politicians are willing, but nothing happens. And Denmark is the one losing out, says Tine Kirk.
