"There is power in cooperation"
The city of Äänekoski is involved in rehabilitating its waterways
The city of Äänekoski is currently involved in three waterway restoration projects.
The joint renovation project of Pyhäjärvi between the municipality of Konnevesi and the city of Äänekoski has already started in 2018, and the renovation plan was completed last year. Lake Pyhäjärvi is a valuable water for birds and a Natura site, the problem of which is that it is overgrown. As a result of overgrowth, the number of birds in Lake Pyhäjärvi has decreased in recent years. The restoration of Lake Pyhäjärvi is necessary in order to protect the endangered shorebirds of the area. Valuable bird waters must be put in better condition.
The total cost of the renovation plan project, which will last until the end of this year, is 12 euros, for which the Central Finland ELY Centre has allocated half of the funding and the City of Äänekoski and Konnevesi Municipality have contributed the remaining 000 euros. 3 000 euro.
- In its own HELMI project, ELY has already started measures in the area, such as catching small carnivores, and this summer the open water area will be increased by dredging the alder area. Lake Pyhäjärvi has already been dredged in the 2000st century, and now ELY is renovating these nesting islands of the seagull colony formed from old dredged masses. After all, other birds that nest near them also benefit from seagulls, when they quite aggressively drive, for example, birds of prey away from their nests, describes the environmental manager of the city of Äänekoski Hanna Ahonen.
- Even though dredging gives good results quickly, in the long term there is a reason to reduce the load on catchment areas. Catchment areas can be rehabilitated, for example, by making wetlands, Ahonen says. - This summer, Konnevesi and Äänekoski will also make a restoration plan for the catchment area. Water samples are taken from the catchment area, which shows which ditches load the lake the most. After the plan is completed in the fall, new project funding will be applied for the implementation of water protection structures.
Last week, discussion evenings were organized for landowners and other interested parties in the area. There were no less than 22 guests, with whom we also visited the local terrain. From the consulting company Envineer Lasse Varis ja Janne Nuutinen presented what kind of rehabilitation measures can be taken in catchment areas in general. There was an environmental protection engineer from Konnevedi Anne Kervola and Environmental Manager from Äänekoski Hanna Ahonen.
There are no costs for land owners for renovation work, and nothing can be done on anyone's land without permission.
- The landowners were really positive about possible renovation measures and the discussion was lively, Ahonen is happy. On the cross-country trip, the company was joined by two more barn owl chicks.
No fewer than 22 guests attended the discussions on the restoration plan for the Pyhäjärvi catchment area at the village hall of the Rautionmäki poverty village in Sumiainen, with whom they also visited the surrounding area and were joined by two barn owl chicks. – The landowners were very positive about the possible restoration measures and the discussion was lively, says the Environmental Manager of the City of Äänekoski. Hanna Ahonen rejoices. There will be no costs for landowners from the renovation work, and nothing will be done to anyone's land without permission.
A large renovation project in Sumiais
The city of Äänekoski is also involved as a co-financer in two other waterways restoration projects.
In the SUKIEN project in Sumiais, the beaches of Kuokanniemi are restored and the traditional landscape is restored. The total costs of the project are a total of 29 euros and the implementation period is during the years 884-2021. Half of the funding has been granted by the ELY Center and the city of Äänekoski participates in the project with 2024 euros. Äänekoski ev.lut is also involved in financing. the parish, the Sumiainte village association and the Kärkölä joint-stock company, which is also the recipient of the grant and the implementer of the work.
The project will rehabilitate Kuokanniemi's beaches by mowing reed beds, removing plant masses and root systems, and dredging. In addition, a load assessment at the Sumiaisjärvi catchment area level will be carried out, which will serve as a basis for future water protection measures. The project also aims to involve residents and summer residents and thus increase the sense of community.
- During the spring, a preliminary investigation was carried out, and then during the summer and autumn, small-scale dredging, mowing and clearing of the beach will be carried out, Ahonen says.
Preliminary investigation project in Pieni-Hirvase
In Hirvaskanka, Pieni-Hirvanen lake, a preliminary study project of Pieni-Hirvanen hoito ry, an association founded by landowners, is underway. The total cost of the survey is 4 euros, for which ELY has granted a 139 percent subsidy. The city of Äänekoski, the municipality of Laukaa and Uurainen have each allocated 60 euros for the survey.
- In Pieni-Hirvase, samples are taken from the beds during the summer and the currents and what loads the lake the most are investigated, Ahonen describes.
- According to EU requirements, all waterways must reach at least good status by 2027. In order to achieve this goal, all the work done for water bodies is very important and there is strength in cooperation. The city of Äänekoski considers projects that promote the good condition of water bodies and the achievement of the spatial goals set in the EU's water policy framework directive to be important. We grant financial support primarily to projects where the measures are aimed at water bodies whose space target has not yet been reached.
For more information:
Environmental manager Hanna Ahonen, 0400 893 683, hanna.ahonen@aanekoski.fi
News published 16.6.2022
