There are thousands of small dams and other migratory barriers in Finland that cut off the connections between rivers and streams. Their removal is considered one of the key ways to restore the natural state of streams and improve the living conditions of migratory fish.
The purpose of the project was to lay the groundwork for the next phase of the scheme, namely a practical pilot. The pilot phase should clarify questions that cannot be resolved through the mainly theoretical analysis presented in this report. We identify these questions and discuss how they should be addressed in a pilot project.
In a potential pilot, key questions include how latent willingness among owners can be identified and activated at an early stage, how uncertainties in permitting processes can be reduced and timelines better anticipated, and how the prioritization mechanism can be combined with voluntary participation into a functional, transparent, and trust-building framework.
The results of the Virroiksi -research project will be presented in an open webinar on March 18th from 2–4 pm. The webinar will discuss what kind of voluntary model could promote the restoration of small streams in a cost-effective way. Register for the webinar using the online form no later than March 17th. at 4 p.m.
The research report is available online. (Only in Finnish)
