Last week, it was reported that thousands of freshwater pearl mussels were wiped out when forest machines belonging to Stora Enso drove over the normally protected Hukkajoki stream, which is a habitat for the rare mussels.
Stora Enso is now reporting that forest felling has been discontinued in all areas in Finland that are subject to legal restrictions related to the protection of watercourses, forests, and nature.
The police are investigating the incident as suspected aggravated environmental crime, while rescue efforts are underway to save the remaining freshwater pearl mussels. Among other things, 4,000 such mussels have been moved to a safer location in the stream. Finland's Environment Minister Kai Mykkänen has simultaneously demanded that Stora Enso pay all potential restoration costs.
