THE BACKGROUND

While the agriculture and mining extractive industries are important sectors for the economy of Northern Periphery and Arctic (NPA) areas, their activities cause significant risk to the vulnerable environment through water and land pollution. Nutrients in agricultural runoff are one of the major contributors to eutrophication and algae blooms. Ammonium nitrate based explosives used in mining operations often result in nitrogen leachate via runoff. Global climate change will increase the frequency of floods and water runoff volumes in NPA areas, increasing yet further the potential for pollution. The expertise in water runoff management in the NPA region is scattered and unequally distributed and needs to be strengthened in order to ensure continuous economic growth while protecting natural resources. The tight water quality targets set by the Water Framework Directive will require new and more comprehensive tools to prepare regional and local authorities and local communities for current and future challenges. Given the lack of expertise, interdisciplinary and international collaboration is essential to enable knowledge transfer and stimulate innovation in good management practices.