There has been a heated debate in the municipality about the height of the water level for a long time. The permit decision has been appealed, but new regulation limits can be implemented with the help of a preparatory permit.
After many twists and turns, the water level of Evijärvi is finally being raised by ten centimetres.
The ELY Center of Southern Ostrobothnia, which pushed for the water level to be raised, received a permit for the raising from the Regional Administration Office of Western and Inner Finland in December.
The permit contains a so-called preparatory permit, on the basis of which the withdrawal can be started in accordance with the new regulation limits, even if the decision is appealed.
The municipality has been arguing about raising the water level for a long time.
The residents of the lake shore have supported raising the water level, while many farmers and central decision-makers in the municipality have opposed it.
Half of the costs go to Evijärvi municipality and the ELY center
As a result of the lifting, a coastal strip with an area of \u200b\u200b16 hectares will remain permanently under water. In addition, about 310 hectares of arable land is lost.
The loss of the drainage benefits of the fields and the land areas that remain under water form a total compensation pot of around 300,000 euros, half of which is paid by Evijärvi municipality and the ELY center.
The reason for raising the lake is that it will improve recreational use of the lake, such as boating and fishing, and facilitate adaptation to climate change.
The winter oxygen situation in the shallow lake and the living conditions of the fish are also assumed to improve as the lake’s water volume increases.