According to the Ely Center, the additional surveys made by Metsähallitus are not sufficient, and felling cannot be done without weakening nature values. Metsähallitus still does not completely reject the felling plans yet.
Metsähallitus’ logging in the Oulujärvi camping area’s islands will be extended by at least one year. Even Metsähallitus’ completed reports on the harms of logging in the Natura area did not convince the ely center of Pohjois-Ostrobothnia.
According to the Ely Center’s statement, the surveys could not ensure that the logging planned for Kuostonsaari and Kaarresalo would not significantly weaken the natural values \u200b\u200bof the islands.
The islands belong to the Oulujärvi camping area, the Natura 2000 network and the Rokua Geopark area, but they are not actual protected areas. However, both islands have a natural or almost natural boreal natural forest, which ely wants to protect from the effects of logging.
– At least at the moment, we are not going to do anything for the coming winter. After all, Ely required more detailed planning, which in practice, as I understand it, would mean more terrain works, and they will no longer be carried out this fall, says Tolonen.
Ely: Logging could weaken nature values \u200b\u200bsignificantly
Metsähallitus made the assessment required by KHO on the effects of logging on the islands’ Natura areas already last summer. Now it completed the report at ely’s request.
Ely considered that even the completed explanation does not provide security that the fellings will not significantly weaken the nature values \u200b\u200bof the valuable island forests and the foundations of the Natura area.
According to Ely, there is uncertainty about the intensity of logging, but also about the mapping and inventories of nature values.
– On the basis of the Natura assessment, it is not possible to make sure, as required by the legislation, that the project’s effects are harmless. The presented mitigating measures do not give reason to draw a different conclusion, the statement states.
\”What used to be suitable no longer seems to be\”
According to Tolonen, ely’s statement with a critical attitude towards logging is surprising, because according to him, ely’s and Metsähallitus’ views on logging are initially the same.
– Now it seems that the regulations have been further tightened with regard to Natura sites, or at least the supervising authority interprets it this way. In other words, what used to be appropriate seems to be no longer the case, Tolonen formulates.
Metsähallitus filed a logging notice on logging on the islands in 2017. At that time, Ely Center did not prohibit logging, but nature organizations complained about the decision.
According to Tolonen, Metsähallitus still insists that logging in Kuostonsaari could be done after more detailed plans. On the other hand, logging in Kaarresalo may remain a dream for Metsähallitus.
– Of course, Kaarresalo is a much more difficult target. The last time it was cut there was sometime in the early 60s, so it is largely natural, says Tolonen.
Nature organizations have opposed logging because of the natural values \u200b\u200bof the islands. According to the organizations, the islands should be transferred from Metsähallitus Metsätalous Oy’s control to the Nature Services.
*You can discuss logging on the islands of Oulujärvi* with the *Yle ID**. The discussion ends on 4 October. at 23.*