We, the
undersigned representatives of the Hammastunturi Association of Reindeer
Herders, have gotten acquainted with the Tiivivaara, Menesmukanvaara
and Kynsileikkaamanniemi -logging plans of the forestry department
of Forest and Park Service's Northern Lapland district and following
thorough consideration have unanimously come to a conclusion that
the loggings and the preparation of soil in question would seriously
hamper reindeer herding currently and in the future and that FPS must
renounce the plans.
Loggings
in the 1970s already destroyed lichen heaths in the area concerned.
The area
of Kynsileikkaamaniemi is one of the very last natural state forests
rich in beard lichen in the area of the Menesjärvi Reindeer Herding
Municipality. Thus the forest is of vital importance to reindeers
in the winter.
For
example, in the last two winter seasons, the snow cover has been too
thick for the reindeers to find lichen. The fact that the reindeers
can utilize the beard lichen of the logged trees "during the
logging winter" as was pointed out in the logging plan journal
of FPS, will not help the reindeers in the future.
Preparation
of soil destroyes lichen and hinders its regeneration. The methods
of soil preparation in use are tough in relation to the conditions
of the North.
The disadvantages
being of this magnitude, the case must be negotiated with the Sami
Parliament.
We also
disapprove of the loggings being transferred to another site in our
reindeer herding area.
