For ten years, the water in Lake Yxern, which is located in Västervik and Vimmerby municipalities, has been a matter of concern and concern. The lake’s water levels have been regulated by a dam, but Västervik municipality has long pushed for it to have a more natural flow. The municipality was right in the Land and Environment Court last year.
“The summers here are extremely dry”
But that decision was appealed by several residents around the lake. And now the Land and Environmental Court of Appeal has given the appellants leave to appeal.
For Marie-Louise Winge, who pursued the matter, it is a positive decision.
– Without regulation of the lake, the risk is extremely high that we will no longer have access to the water we need for our agriculture, the summers here are extremely dry, she says.
The decision that was appealed meant that the sluice gates at the lake were to be torn down and replaced with a so-called lake threshold, which should automatically provide a natural flow out to the river and the lake.
Fear of water shortage
But those who appealed that decision believe that such a system would entail a great risk of water shortages during the summer months.
– For us as farmers it would be devastating, says Marie-Louise Winge.
But the regulation of the lake water through the dam and sluice gates has also meant protests from fishing enthusiasts and land owners because in the summertime it meant exposed beaches and very low water levels
Dan Nilsson (S) is an opposition councilor in Västervik municipality. He says that he thinks it is good that the case from a trial in the Land and Environment Court.
– I have not read what the Land and Environmental Court of Appeal writes, but there are so many people who are affected by the decision that it is good that it is reviewed, he says.
This is what he said in November after the Land and Environment Court made its decision:
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It can take up to ten months before the case is decided in the Land and Environmental Court.
