Forestry Center investigates potential violations following destruction of spring in Jämsä

In July 2017, Johanna Hakola participated in an orienteering event in Vuorisjärvi, Jämsä, and captured a photograph of the sixth checkpoint featuring a spring shaded by tall deciduous trees and young fir saplings. A few years later, she returned to the site only to find that what remained of the spring was located at the edge of a logging area, surrounded by fallen tree trunks.

Reflecting on whether regulations had been followed in the treatment of the spring’s surroundings, Hakola inquired with the Forestry Center this summer. The center is currently investigating whether any laws were violated in the area. The logging site holds a PEFC certification, which mandates an average of at least a 10-meter buffer zone around small waters.

In addition to forest protection laws, the water law also applies to natural or similar small bodies of water. However, neither regulation specifies a mandatory buffer zone for sensitive waters. The forestry law requires the preservation of habitat characteristics, while the water law prohibits degradation of natural conditions. Although small waters should be considered in forest management recommendations and certifications, in practice, they are often adversely affected by logging across Finland.

The enforcement of water laws falls under regional ELY Centers, which receive only a few reports of potential violations regarding forestry each year. However, Heikki Kurtti, a supervisor at the Central Finland ELY Center, believes there are actually many more cases, and emphasizes the need for proactive monitoring.

Small waters are crucial habitats for various species and contribute to the declining biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Despite being mapped, many springs and small streams still suffer significant degradation, and cases of environmental damage often go unreported until after they occur. In Jämsä, the spring was destroyed despite being marked on a map, leaving authorities facing challenges in addressing such violations effectively.