Seinäkoski river restoration project concludes in Joutsa, Finland, amid funding concerns

Seinäkoski, a river in Joutsa, has been dammed for decades, with the most recent dam, built in the 1950s at the Tammen mill, now removed. The dam’s removal could lead to a name change for the river, as the wall it refers to is no longer there. The ecological restoration of the river took place in August and September, during which a new riverbed and flow channel were constructed, aiming to attract the endangered lake trout for spawning.

Seinäkoski is part of numerous trout river restoration projects that have gained momentum in Finland over recent years. Additionally, there are efforts underway to revive the endangered lake trout by establishing new production via human-facilitated mechanisms in Laukaa. While there is a strong desire for restoration, funding has emerged as a significant bottleneck.

In a video snippet, Saija Koljonen, a specialist at the Finnish Environmental Institute, explains the goals of river restoration. She highlights the importance of creating a viable ecosystem, noting that previous restoration attempts began as early as the 1980s. River ecosystems are critical to larger biodiversity goals, extending well beyond just the return of migratory fish species.

The European Union’s targets for the restoration of natural habitats have intensified the focus on river rehabilitation. However, Koljonen points out that funding remains a key issue, as the recent changes in tax regulations threaten to divert necessary resources away from essential projects. Timo Meronen, head of the Central Finland Fisheries Center, reports that the restoration of Seinäkoski cost around 10,000 euros and expresses concerns that the new VAT line could consume a significant portion of their available funds. He emphasizes the need for a rational solution, urging that funds raised from fishing licenses should be redirected to support grassroots restoration efforts.