Lapland studies east west roads as reindeer herders object

Lapland Regional Council is examining four possible east west road links in northern Lapland, but reindeer herding cooperatives and the Sámi Parliament oppose new roads through grazing lands, Yle reports.

The proposed route would connect the 955 regional road, known as the Pokka road, between Inari village and Kittilä with Highway 4.

A route previously proposed between the village of Kuttura and Repojoki remains one option. The council is also examining routes westward from the southern and northern ends of the Porttipahta reservoir, according to Ari Pesonen, the council’s planning director.

The Finnish Defence Forces told the council several years ago that an east west road connection would be important for security.

The plans are opposed by local reindeer herding cooperatives, the Sámi Parliament, local residents and conservationists. Two of the route options are in the Sámi homeland.

Roads could threaten reindeer herding

The routes are being examined across the grazing lands of the Sattasniemi, Lapland and Sallivaara reindeer herding cooperatives.

Nilla Hirvasvuopio, head of the Lapland cooperative, said building a new road through an untouched old-growth forest would be unreasonable. The area is one of the natural forests that the Luonnonmetsät Sápmi working group has proposed for protection.

“The road would pass through our best arboreal lichen pastures and spring pastures. The reindeer would no longer stay there once a road and traffic run through the area. At least reindeer herding as it currently exists would end there,” Hirvasvuopio said.

Two of the options would divide the grazing lands of the Sattasniemi cooperative in the municipality of Sodankylä. The cooperative is concerned that the council’s plans would remove the conditions needed for the reindeer herding livelihood, said its head, Matti Riipi.

“I think it is very unreasonable that the needs of other parts of society should take away our means of livelihood,” Riipi said.

Sámi Parliament backs existing roads

The reindeer herding cooperatives and the Sámi Parliament support improving existing roads instead of building new ones.

Sámi Parliament chair Pirita Näkkäläjärvi cited the gravel road west from Peurasuvanto and the 955 regional road, or Pokka road, between Inari and Kittilä.

“A thorough renovation of the Pokka road would bring many benefits, and no one opposes it. It should be the first priority before new roads are built through untouched areas,” Näkkäläjärvi said.

The Sámi Parliament is concerned about whether the council has sufficient expertise in Sámi culture and the traditional livelihoods of Sámi people for the assessment.

The assessment will examine the need for a road connection and its effects on reindeer herding, Sámi culture, living conditions and the environment.

The council aims to complete the first draft of a security and transport regional plan by the end of the year. The road connection assessment is also intended to be included in the draft.

Under the Land Use Act, a road connection can only be proposed if it meets the statutory requirements. Pesonen confirmed that if none of the alternatives meets those requirements, the road connection cannot be included in the plan.

The Sámi Parliament and the council will continue negotiations. The Sámi Parliament’s position is clear, Näkkäläjärvi said: “We do not accept new roads on Sámi lands.”