Logging operations raise environmental concerns over Hukkajoki river crossings in Suomussalmi

The route for logging operations in Suomussalmi, crossing the protected Hukkajoki river, has raised serious concerns. According to Helsingin Sanomat, the newspaper obtained a logging plan that indicated the proposed path for forestry machinery would involve crossing the Hukkajoki. The logging area is located south of the river, with a designated storage site for logs situated to the north.

The logging plan suggests that the decision to cross the river with heavy machinery was not merely a poor judgment call by an individual operator, but rather followed directives handed down from higher up. The plan was developed by Stora Enso, though the company has not commented on the investigation currently underway due to its ongoing nature.

Authorities are treating the river crossing incident as a serious environmental crime, with preliminary findings indicating that thousands of endangered freshwater mussels may have perished as a result of these crossings. Logging operations reportedly involved traversing the river both with logging machinery and forest tractors, leading to hundreds of crossings.

The damage might have been preventable had Stora Enso utilized an existing forest road located south of the Hukkajoki river. According to Metsähallitus, Stora Enso did not seek authorization to use the forest road prior to commencing logging activities.