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ROWING EVENT FOR FREE VUOTOS
Photo:
Ilpo Piiroinen
Let
the River run free
endangered
NATURA 2000 site in Finnish Lapland
On
June 16.-17.
2001
Finnish activists of free Vuotos movement are
organising a traditional rowing on the river Kemijoki to demonstrate
their objection to the plans to build a reservoir for energy
generation in Vuotos. Join us and enjoy the beauty of Lapland ! |
In
1992 the Finnish government granted the mostly state owned energy
company Kemijoki a permission to apply for the right to build the
Vuotos Reservoir. After years of dispute the matter was taken to the
Water Rights Appeal Court. Wide areas of the Vuotos region were
suggested to the NATURA 2000 network by the Environment Ministry. If
the Vuotos Reservoir was built several sites with considerable
national and regional natural values would be submerged.
The
covernment of Finland decided these areas not being in Natura 2000 network!
The
Water Court of the Northern Finland gave 29.2.2000 permission to dam
the Kemi river and construct a 240 km2 big so called Vuotos reservoir. |
One
out of the four members of the court opposed the project. He stated
that it fulfils the criteria of absolutely forbidden construction on
basis of large ecological damage. |
At
this stage, the Water Court gave only a very restrected permission
for deforestation to the power company Kemijoki to ensure that the
ecological values would not be destroyed while the legal process
moves on to higher courts. |
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The
reservoir would wipe out landscapes formed during the last Ice Age
about 1 5.000 years ago. Islands with valuable floodplain species,
endangered plants would disappear. Hundreds of sand martines nest on
the sand banks. Peregrine falcons nest there. Impact on the
downstream water system would include reduction of oxygen and
increase in phosporous content. Mercury load would increase. |
Reindeer
farming and berry picking as well as forestry are important sources
of income for local people. These would be seriously affected. So,
join us
next summer!
For further details of Vuotos project: |
MEP
Heidi Hautala
office
in Brussels tel +32-2-2845446, e-mail hhautala@europarl.eu.int,
office
in Helsinki tel +358-9-667921,e-mail hautala@vihrealiitto.fi
Photos1.
showing natural values of the upper parts of the River Kemijoki.
Photos2.
showing natural values of Kokonaapa, a large swamp.
Photos3.
of reindeer
Photos4.
showing consequences of 7 meters regulation of the natural lake of Kemijärvi.
Photos5.
showing consequences of actions made the Kemijoki company in the
Vuotos area. |
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