Improving the natural state of the Tornion river basin will also mitigate the effects of climate change, such as the risk of flooding. Conditions for nature tourism and fishing are also expected to improve.
Europe’s largest aquatic nature restoration project in the Tornion River Valley will start in March 2023 with a seven-year project coordinated by Norrbotten County Council.
The project will improve the condition of the Tornion River tributaries on both sides of the Finnish-Swedish border, including by restoring drained swamps and streams converted for logging.
Fish migration barriers will be removed, for example by building fish passes at the Tengeliön power plant and replacing road embankments.
A total of more than 3,000 kilometers of hiking trails will be freed up for fish and other aquatic life.
Also mitigates the effects of climate change
The improvement of natural conditions in the Tornionjoki catchment area also mitigates the effects of climate change, such as the risk of flooding.
The reduction of climate effects is also taken into account in the work machines and vehicles used in the restoration work.
The water quality and species of streams and the transformation of habitats in the catchment area towards a natural state will be monitored regularly during the project.
Promote employment
In addition to environmental benefits, the project is believed to promote employment in Tornionjokilaakso.
Local machine contractors, consultants and other services are needed to implement the works.
It is believed that employment will also increase in the long term, because the conditions for nature tourism and both recreational and commercial fishing will improve.
Lapland has been very successful in getting EU money
In the EUR 21 million project, Finland’s share is approximately EUR 9.1 million. Of that, the EU’s share is 60 percent, and the share of national funding is 40 percent.
Funding comes from the EU through the Life environmental fund.
In addition to the Forestry Center from Finland, the ELY Center of Lapland, Metsähallitus Eräpalvelut, Luonnonvarakeskus (Luke) and the University of Oulu are participating in the project, as well as Länsstyrelsen i Norrbottens Län, Havs- och Vattenmyndigheten, Sveaskog and Luleå Tekniska Universitet from Sweden.