Raakku River incidents spark debate among Finnish forestry professionals

The recent incidents involving the Raakku River in Suomussalmi have sparked extensive discussions among forestry professionals. Teemu Palosaari, a logging entrepreneur from Kuusamo, remarked that the dialogue surrounding these events has been multifaceted. “It’s clear that such events prompt reactions. I believe that the current guidelines for forest harvesting are sufficient, but they must be adhered to,” he emphasized.

Palosaari believes that all professionals in the field can learn from the incidents involving the Raakku River, stating, “Such occurrences need to be taken seriously.” Additionally, it was reported Wednesday that Stora Enso suspects another incident where the river was crossed contrary to regulations. According to Pirkko-Liisa Luhta, project manager at the Finnish State Forest Management, further damages from the Raakku incidents could emerge. She stated that there are “double-digit” instances of unauthorized crossings of the Raakku River by machinery.

Palosaari mentioned that he rarely crosses water bodies with forest machinery, as doing so can lead to moisture damage. He added that if crossing is necessary, a protective bridge can easily be constructed over small streams or rivers.

On Wednesday, little information was released regarding a newly uncovered case, and the extent of the damage or the number of dead mollusks remains unknown. Antti Otsamo, head of sustainable development at Metsähallitus, expressed that the situation is serious and emphasized a “zero tolerance” approach to the deaths of endangered species.

Otsamo noted that unauthorized crossings of the Raakku River on Stora Enso’s sites are rare and that all forestry operations must comply with stringent guidelines and training to prevent such occurrences. Proper inspections are performed prior to logging activities, reinforcing the importance of adherence to environmental regulations.