Environmental damage prompts response from forestry companies at Hukkajoki in Suomussalmi

The environmental damage surrounding Hukkajoki in Suomussalmi has not prompted significant changes among forestry companies, except for Stora Enso. Stora Enso, Metsä Group, and UPM have committed to Environment and Climate Minister Kai Mykkänen’s requirement for a 50-meter protection zone. Other adjustments have not been made, according to UPM’s stakeholder relations director Sami Oksa. “We reviewed the guidance based on the authority’s mussel protection recommendations. There is no need to change processes or practices as the guidance is relatively new and implemented at our company,” he stated.

Currently, UPM is adhering to the authority’s advice, which suggests maintaining a 45-meter buffer around mussel rivers. However, at Stora Enso’s logging site near Hukkajoki, this recommendation was not followed, leading to the deaths of thousands of freshwater mussels due to machinery crossing the river many times. UPM has no logging operations near mussel rivers at this time, according to Oksa.

Metsä Group’s forestry director Juha Jumppanen noted that the company has extensively reiterated guidelines concerning operations near mussel rivers to contractors, drivers, and staff. In response to the mussel destruction, Stora Enso has halted logging in all areas where water, forest, or nature conservation laws apply.

Jumppanen emphasized the importance of automating information flow about protected sites to minimize errors. Currently, information is shared through isolated emails, which he described as risky and unreliable. Both Stora Enso and Metsä Group have called for clearer access to data on endangered species to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

Minister Mykkänen plans to convene a meeting in the coming weeks to discuss how forestry companies can prevent future environmental incidents like that at Hukkajoki and ensure adherence to regulations. Invited parties include key representatives from UPM, Metsä Group, Stora Enso, and others in the forestry sector. The ministry is also considering improvements in oversight and penalties related to endangered species habitats.