Police investigate environmental crime linked to logging in Puolanka, Finland

The police are currently investigating damage to the protected freshwater mussel population caused by logging activities in Puolanka, classifying it as an environmental crime. The suspected charges have been specified since the preliminary investigation began in September and may still change as the final extent of the damage becomes clearer.

“This situation is not nearly as serious as the one in Hukkajoki, but there has still been destruction of the species due to vehicle collisions,” noted Senior Inspector Tiina Lehmus from the Oulu police. In the Puolanka case, it is suspected that vehicles have crossed a protected river area contrary to regulations. However, according to Lehmus, the number of incidents is not as high as in the Hukkajoki case.

The police are now awaiting expert assessments to determine the extent of the damage to the mussel population in Puolanka. Once these assessments are complete, they will begin questioning individuals connected to the case.

“The investigation is proceeding in parallel with the Hukkajoki case,” Lehmus stated. The police received a request to investigate the Puolanka damage from the Kainuu Centre for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment (ELY Centre) in September, which had previously expressed suspicions about the involvement of the same subcontractor linked to extensive mussel damage in Hukkajoki.

Lehmus mentioned that there is no new information available regarding the Hukkajoki case at this time. She estimates that the preliminary investigation will continue until next spring, where the Hukkajoki damage is being investigated as a serious environmental crime.

Stora Enso held a press conference earlier this October, where CEO Hans Sohlmström assured that such a serious environmental incident like the one in Hukkajoki would not happen again. “We have initiated and announced several measures since August to ensure this does not occur again,” he stated.