It was discovered on 15 August that forestry machinery at the Kainuu site had crossed the Hukkajoki river, where there is a population of the highly endangered freshwater pearl mussel.
In a statement released today (23 August), Stora Enso said it takes the matter extremely seriously and that the authorities and the company have strict responsibility requirements and comprehensive guidelines for the consideration of freshwater pearl mussel in harvesting operations.
“It is evident that our guidelines have not been followed. What has happened is completely contrary to our values and sustainability commitments,” said Seppo Parvi, country manager for Finland at Stora Enso.
The company said it is cooperating with the police and other authorities to find out what happened at Hukkajoki. As a result of this and its own investigation, it said its guidelines and procedures will be refined to ensure that everyone involved in harvesting in valuable natural areas is aware of them in the future.
This applies both to Stora Enso employees and to its partners, such as contractors and forest owners, the company added.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that this never happens again. We have taken immediate steps to tighten up our procedures, including forestry planning, environmental training, guidelines and information systems,” said Parvi.
“The police investigation is ongoing, but it is clear that Stora Enso bears its responsibility in this case, both environmentally and financially.”
The current priority is to repair the damage and prevent further damage in Hukkajoki. Stora Enso said it is supporting the restoration work led by forestry management firm Metsähallitus on site, both financially and materially. Stora Enso has also decided to participate in the LIFE Revives programme.
“Participation in this programme will not repair the damage already done, but it is the least we can do in this case,” Parvi added.
The case has led to increased monitoring of harvesting sites, and Stora Enso said this also applies to buffer zones.
“We cannot undo what has been done. Sustainability is an essential part of Stora Enso’s strategy, and we will do everything we can to ensure that it is implemented in all our operations, both by our own employees and our partners,” Parvi further added.
According to Finnish broadcaster YLE, thousands of the endangered freshwater pearl mussels were killed when logging machines repeatedly crossed the shallow river, depositing mud, sand, and debris into the river and wiping out a large number of the mussels.
YLE reported that while the machinery directly killed thousands of mussels by crushing them, the main damage was caused by silt and sludge flowing downstream from the crossing site, suffocating young mussels over hundreds of metres.
The endangered species has been protected in Finland since 1955.
