NORWEGIAN NORTH-SEA ACTION PROGRAM - ANALYSIS OF MEASURES TO REDUCE NUTRIENT INPUTS

According to the terms of the Ministerial Declaration on the Protectio n of the North Sea, input of the nutrients phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) to the coast from the Norwegian-Swedish border to Lindesnes shoul d be reduced by about 50% between 1985 and 1995. The State Pollution C ontrol Authority (SFT) has analyzed how Norway can achieve this reduct ion in the most cost-effective way and at the same time achieve the gr eatest possible improvement in water quality along the Norwegian coast and in its watercourses. Two alternative sets of measures were analyz ed, both of which would meet the requirements of the Declaration. The lowest-cost alternative would have average annual costs of about NKr 9 30 million (U.S.$150 million), and investments of about NKr 4000 milli on (U.S.$643 million). However, this set of measures would not take ac count of local water quality, and measures would therefore not always be introduced where the need is most pressing. SFT proposed that an al ternative set of measures be implemented, almost all of which would al so help to achieve local goals for water quality. This alternative wil l have annual costs of about NKr 980 million (U.S.$158 million), and i nvestments of about NKr 4100 million (U.S.$659 million).