Finding:
old-growth forest logging allowed and planned; violation of FFCS criterion
36: Safeguarding of the Sámi people?s traditional means of livelihood
and culture.
Despite
the opposition of the reindeer herding co-operative, Forest and Park
Service has several logging plans in the area. The co-operative has
in several occasions publicly stated that it cannot accept any Forest
and Park Service (FPS) logging in its area. The co-operative has taken
the dispute to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in 2000.
The FPS has not waited for the decision of the Committee but -without
the consent of the reindeer herders - logging began in November 2000.
The area is an important winter grazing pasture for the reindeer and
it is situated in an otherwise already logged part of the co-operative's
area.
Source
of information: The Finnish Nature League, interviews with the
locals and FPS officials, field trips to the area.
Probable
buyers of the timber: Metsäliitto, StoraEnso, Vapo Timber
