Hilden, M., Kuuluvainen, J., Ollikainen, M., Pelkonen, P. & Primmer,
E. 1999. Environmental impact assesment of Finland's National
Forest Programme: concluding report. Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry. 76 p + appendices 71 p. (In Finnish)
Abstract: Council of State provided that environmental
impact assessment (EIA) of National Forest Programme should be
done, and the programme should be re-examined if necessary. Ministry
of Agriculture and Forestry appointed an expert group to prepare
EIA in 12 March 1999. They got the assessment finished in 17 September
1999. The document includes an assessment on economic, social
and ecological effects of the programme. Main critics are as follows:
the programme is too much oriented in wood production and increasing
felling; effects on national economy and employment are flawed
and over-estimated; estimation of profitability and effects of
suggested public subsidies are not presented; the aim of increasing
felling demands to increase clear cutting and forest ditching
which will further increase phosphorus and nitrogen load and that
is in conflict with the targets of water protection programme.
Keywords: Environmental impact assesment, National forest
programmme, Evaluation, Finland
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