PRESS RELEASE September 6, 2024

NORDIC SPORT & EVENT LAUNCHES THE GGN 2.0 COURSE.
On July 19, 2024, the County Administrative Board approved GGN 2.0; subsequently, the decision has been appealed by four families and, in part, by the Gotland Botanical Society.

The County Administrative Board has approved GGN in two separate decisions. The first case (4695-2023) was a consultation regarding the impact on the natural and cultural environment (Chapter 12, Section 6 of the Environmental Code) that covered the entire operation—from the construction of the track and competition center, through the staging of the competitions themselves, to the final restoration work. The second case (4506-2023) specifically concerned an exemption from the Off-Road Driving Act. Since the activity reviewed in the consultation case pertains precisely to off-road driving, it can therefore be said that the same matter has, in part, been reviewed twice, and both times with a positive outcome for GGN.

The Gotland Botanical Society appealed the County Administrative Board’s decision in the consultation matter (not the off-road driving exemption) and raised concerns about a shorter transport route; it also wanted Nordic Sport & Event to provide security for the restoration work. Nordic Sport & Event agreed to the revised route, which was therefore also approved by the Land and Environment Court. The court denied the association’s request for security.

Seven private individuals (four families) appealed both the County Administrative Board’s decision and requested that the exemption be revoked and that the GGN project be prohibited. In the case regarding the public consultation, the Land and Environment Court ruled that the individuals were not affected and dismissed their appeal (Nacka District Court, Case No. M 6304-24, judgment of August 23, 2024). In the case regarding the off-road driving exemption, the Administrative Court dismissed their appeal (Stockholm Administrative Court, Case Nos. 15456-24 and 15485-24, judgment dated September 3, 2024).

To be clear, this is not about GGN being built on the complainants’ families’ land; rather, they live in Hejdeby and are not immediate neighbors of the land where we will be constructing the track.

– Conny Bohlin, CEO of Nordic Sport & Event, says that, in all material respects, the County Administrative Board’s approvals of GGN still apply. Both decisions are subject to conditions. We will fulfill these conditions, and GGN will therefore proceed as planned.

NORDIC SPORT & EVENT TAKES FULL RESPONSIBILITY AS WE NOW BEGIN OUR WORK IN HEJDEBY.
Since August 28, 2023 (when the Swedish Armed Forces announced that GGN could no longer remain at the Tofta firing range), Nordic Sport & Event has been working closely with all relevant authorities, but above all with the County Administrative Board and Region Gotland. We will assume full responsibility as we now begin work and, guided by the precautionary principle, ensure the protection of all natural and wildlife habitats in the area. The County Administrative Board and two courts have approved our environmental impact statement based on the thorough preparatory work we have done.

“Throughout the entire process, we have followed the advice and guidance of the authorities, and we have enlisted the help of the consulting firm SWECO for the environmental impact assessment, sampling, and surveys along the route.” Furthermore, right from the start, we’ve engaged Professor and environmental expert Nils Ryrholm, who has assisted us in our work every step of the way,” Conny Bohlin continues, “and we therefore feel confident about getting started on the project in Hejdeby.”

In its decision regarding off-road driving, the County Administrative Board has stipulated a condition that the exemption does not apply to, among other things, motorcycles or ATVs prior to the competition days on October 25 and 26 of this year. This restriction will cease to apply if the decision becomes legally binding. Loaders are also subject to the same condition; however, in all other respects, both of the County Administrative Board’s decisions remain in effect even if they are appealed.

– “There are therefore no obstacles to the work of building the tracks themselves, with or without other vehicles and machinery, and as for the preparation of the two venues (the Roma gravel pit and the old asphalt plant), this is not covered by the off-road driving requirement,” says Conny Bohlin.

– To clarify, as the organizer, we have the legal right to hold the competition as planned in October, even if the decision has not yet become final.

– “We have the full support of all 19 landowners directly affected by GGN 2.0 in Hejdeby to begin our work. For the work on the track, we will hire contractors who are experienced and trained to work in forest, natural, and wildlife environments,” concludes Conny Bohlin.

Gotland needs GGN, and GGN needs Gotland.

For more information or questions, please contact:
Conny Bohlin
CEO, Nordic Sport & Event
0708 – 249494

FACTS ABOUT THE GOTLAND GRAND NATIONAL
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: Over 3,400 from 15 countries (participants aged 5–75)
GUEST NIGHTS: 28 ,000 (number of nights generated by GGN during the week)
ECONOMIC IMPACT: 100 ,000,000 SEK/year (travel, lodging, dining, and shopping)
REVENUE FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS: 800 ,000 SEK/year (the total amount community organizations raise thanks to GGN)
SVT SPORT VIEWERS: 600 ,000 (over 5 hours of live broadcast)