Minister submits revised land claims to Wilderness Committee in Iceland

The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs has submitted revised national land claims to the Wilderness Committee on behalf of the state. Landowners of islands off the coast of Iceland have been asked to submit their claims by January 13, 2025.

Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson delivered these revised claims to the Wilderness Committee today concerning islands and skerries surrounding the country. The committee is now calling for claims from those who may have conflicting interests. The deadline for claim submissions has been extended to January 13, 2025.

The Wilderness Committee’s investigation has commenced, and according to its website, the committee will rule on the claims of the parties involved once the data collection is complete and all submitted documents have been thoroughly examined. If areas claimed by the state are determined to be owned lands as identified by the Wilderness Committee, the state’s claims will be rejected. Conversely, areas that are found to be outside ownership will be designated as national lands. Any indirect property rights that may exist within national lands will also be adjudicated.

This matter is part of the national land laws and the government’s decision to designate all land not proven to be owned by individuals as national lands. The islands of the country comprise the seventeenth and final area under the jurisdiction of the Wilderness Committee. The former Minister of Finance claimed that all islands and above-sea territories at low tide should belong to the Icelandic state, unless proven otherwise. This has led to discontent among the residents of the Westman Islands, prompting all municipal council members to demand that the claim be withdrawn.