Pyhtää council to discuss citizens’ initiative regarding Keihässalmi fishing harbor access

The Pyhtää municipal council is set to discuss a citizens’ initiative today, which has gathered over 700 signatures. The initiative calls for the municipality to reclaim ownership of the Keihässalmi fishing harbor and boat launch area. This conflict involves a coastal village owned by entrepreneur and former Member of Parliament Eero Lehti, located on the eastern Gulf of Finland. Local residents are concerned that they may lose access to the Keihässalmi harbor area, which is part of this coastal village.

Pyhtää, with a population of approximately 5,000, is situated along the coast of Kymenlaakso. In the previous spring, Eero Lehti restricted the usage of the harbor area. Previously accessible, the boat launch location has been blocked by stone barriers, and parking fees have been introduced. These measures followed a legal complaint regarding street construction plans for the area.

The Pyhtää council believes that the current situation at Keihässalmi is not beneficial for anyone involved, yet it does not see an urgent need to reclaim the area at this time. They note that although the past summer presented challenges for area usage, development is still in its early stages.

The citizens’ initiative suggests expropriation as an alternative measure. The council stresses that expropriation must be considered carefully, as it could harm the municipality’s reputation, particularly since Pyhtää promotes itself as business-friendly. Should the area revert to municipal ownership, the council would need to assess the financial implications, noting that costs could amount to several hundred thousand euros. The council advocates for a calm approach to resolving issues through negotiation, as local residents wish to retain free access to the Keihässalmi harbor.