PROJECT PROPOSAL «NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE TANA RIVER»

Transcription

1 PROJECT PROPOSAL «NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE TANA RIVER» INTERREG NORTH PROJECT ( ) 1.Background and description of project The project covers the catchment areas of the River Tenojoki/Tana, which is a border river between Finland and Norway over a length of 288 km. The size of the catchment area is 16,386 square kilometres, of which approximately 30% is located in Finland and 70% in Norway. The Tenojoki/Tana river is thus one of the largest rivers flowing into the Barents Sea. The oligotrophic subarctic river is highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and human activity. The Tana river belongs to the Finnish Norwegian International Rover Basin District (RBD), based on a bilateral agreement as a follow-up of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). According to WFD goals, both countries are obliged to sustain a good environmental status of it s waterways. This project addresses environmental state of the river and increases awareness of it s importance by documenting and improving fish habitats, surveying biodiversity, monitoring water quality and biological parameters, documenting traditional fishing methods and planning new recreational areas along the river. The Tana river is known as the most significant salmon river in the Atlantic salmon region in terms of yearly catches. The tributaries of the Tenojoki River are of great significance as nursery areas for juvenile fish. During the course of this project, research data on the distrubution of juvenile salmonids gathered on both sides of the Finnish and Norwegian border over the past decades will be organised into a single database and displayed on digital maps. The results of the work will be used for: a) estimating the fertility rate capacity for migratory fishes, and b) mitigating the impact of road culverts on disconnecting the river continuum. When the main roads along the river valley were constructed, many streams or small rivers running under roads were led into road culverts. Many of these culverts have either been detrimental to, or completely, prevented the distribution of juvenile migratory fish into the upstream nursery grounds. Since 1999, a large effort has been made to survey and rehabilitate road culverts or other fish migration barriers in the Tana river system. In both countries, a number of different technical solutions have been used for the removal of migration barriers. In this project, experiences will be exchanged and joint recommendations made on surveying and restoration of migration barriers. Inspections will be made of the current state of restoration objects, as well as the condition of the road culverts. Restoration plans will be made for two pilot sites in Finland and two in Norway, and restoration will be conducted for two of these sites. 1

2 Norway and Finland have cooperated on monitoring of water quality in the Tana river for more than two decades. New standards as to the WFD demand a closer cooperation on monitoring, as well as a larger focus on ecological status in monitoring. Joint monitoring acitivites will be developed further through this project. Local authorities will participate in monitoring activities related to effects of waste water discharges to the river. In Finland, river monitoring upstreams and downstreams waste water plants has already been introduced. Monitoring measures in the recipient will be developed also for the Norwegian waste water plants within the scope of this project, data will be exchanged and published on the internet to the information of the general public in both countries. A number of rare and threatened species live in the Tana valley. Data on these species from both countries have never been combined earlier. In this project, the municipalities and environmental authorities will exchange information about threatened species and their habitats, as well as implementing new field studies on biodiversity. The salmon fishing traditions and fishing tecnhiques in the Tana river are unique and outstanding when compared to other salmon rivers in the region. In Norway, for instance, it is only in Tana and Neiden that the traditional Sami net fishing is still permitted and practised. The net fishing methods have their roots in a more than 1000-year old tradition, and were the basis of local settlement in the river valley before angling was introduced at the end of the 18 th century. Through this project, information on traditional fishing methods and fishing traditions will be collected on both sides of the border. This information will be recorded and digitalised. A follow-up project will be planned during the course of the project, as well as follow-up measures for utilising the collected and recorded material in, for instance, exhibitions and virtual demonstrations. The project will also focus on the development of a book that examines the salmon fishing culture in the light of Sámi names used along the river. Nature and its diversity provides unique nature experiences and nature-related activities for locals as well as visitors to area. Hiking, however, wears the terrain. In this project, efforts are made to mitigate this by constructing maintained resting spots and enhancing the service networks: waste management, toilets, route markings, campfire spots. In addition to relieving the strain put on the environment, this will also save money and work time. The first obstacle- free route to the Tana shore suitable for disabled will be built as a part of this joint Finnish- Norwegian project. The overall results of this project will be increased general knowledge about the environment in the border municipalities of Finland and Norway. Environmental authorities and municipalities from both nations will enhance their operations through networking, benefitting from combining environmental information and developing joint management solutions. Long term effect will be enhanced work and economizing on resources and resource efficiency in management. 2. Main goal and objectives 2.1. Main goal The main goal of the project is: 1) to document, protect and sustain the natural and cultural heritage of the Tana river, and hence contribute to the economic development of the municipalities along the border, and 2

3 2) to increase the general knowledge about the environment in the border municipalities of Finland and Norway, hereby enhance the work of environmental authorities and municipalities from both countries through networking, combining environmental information and developing joint management solutions. Long term effects: Long terms effect will be enhanced work and economizing on resources and resource efficiency in management Objectives 1. To combine research data on the distribution of juvenile salmon, trout and char in streams and tributaries of the Tana river, using GIS-mapping 2. To increase fish migration by planning and restoring migration barriers in the Tana river tributaries and streams, and exchange know-how on best practices in restoration work 3. To develop a common monitoring programme for water quality and ecological status in the Tana river, and to publish monitoring data including data of waste water discharges into the river 4. To increase the knowledge on biodiversity in the Tana river valley and improve the biodiversity management 5. To document traditional, local means of fishing as the basis for exhibitions, visual presentations, and more expansive research project. To make a book about the salmon fishing culture of the Tana River and a book recording the Sámi place names along Tana river area and the history of the origins of these place names. 6. To plan and construct new and improved recreational sites along the Tana river, hereby: exchange of know-how on planning and construction of recreational sites, and cooperation on the set-up of the sites. In particular on principles for universal planning of picnic sites in Norway and Finland. the planning and construction of a resting spot to be located in the municipality of Utsjoki, as well as an obstacle- free route to the shore suitable for disabled; the planning of a (1) picnic site in Karasjok municipality and the construction and rehabilitation of a (1) site in the municipality of Tana. 3. Expected results and effects The objectives of the project are addressed through separate work packages (WP). Expected results and effects of each WP is presented below. 3

4 1) Finnish- Norwegian research data ( ) on the distribution of juvenile salmon, trout and chars in the tributaries of the Tana river are combined and available in a joint database. Effects: The findings of the project provide assistance for authorities, local fish management and civil organisations (NGO s) in Finland and Norway on the regulation of fishing. The salmon populations of the Tenojoki River are managed by regulating fishing in order to attain the joint goals of Finland and Norway. The combined and illustrated information about the distribution areas and breeding capacity for juvenile salmon in the River Tenojoki waterway foundation for monitoring salmon resources. The state of salmon resources will be taken into consideration in regional planning procedures. This information provides assistance for the municipalities in the area, owners of fishing rights, authorities and research facilities in operating for increasing salmon numbers and in accordance with the principles for sustainable use. This information, which is presented using the most up-to-date geographical information system, acts as a foundation for directing e.g. fishing tourism. The database created during the course of the project will operate as a foundation for interdisciplinary investigations that will also take into consideration climate change for the sub- Arctic Tana river and the migratory fish resources. The published GIS map and the substantial amount of information publically presented for a large area will save research work resources and prevent the conducting of overlapping studies. 2) New data on the status of migration barriers of Tana river tributaries are published, and several sites (e.g, on private roads) are restored. Effects: The project measures will improve the state of habitats for aquatic species in the River Tenojoki waterway area. Juvenile migratory fish will be able to spread out to nursery areas located upstream from road culverts, which will have a positive impact on salmon resources. The state assessments conducted during the course of the project will act as a foundation for future restoration projects. The information gathered and applied during the project will be available when contemplating use of the areas, urban planning procedures, construction of roads, technical solutions for underpassing roads during construction and reparation stages when assessing overall economic benefits. 3) A common monitoring programme for the Tana river is developed, and monitoring on the effects of waste water discharges is established in both countries. Effects: The project will contribute to increasing the quality of waste water control and the efficiency of waste water treatment plants, as well as presenting this information to the general public. 4

5 The monitoring results derived from this project will be important in the further cooperation and planning of future programmes of measures (PoM) within the Norwegian-Finnish River Basin District. 4. A common knowledge base on biodiversity in the Tana river is developed as a premise for joint biodiversity management in the future, e.g by exchange data between national biodiversity databases Effects: The findings of the project will be used for updating national nature conservation programmes and globally as examples/methods for nature conservation that crosses national borders. The local municipalities utilise this information for urban planning procedures. The ready-made data set will speed up and facilitate nature assessments conducted in connection with urban planning procedures. Easily available information about the distribution areas of protected species nature types at the outset of planning procedures will provide assistance in avoiding unnecessary work stages, quicken planning and saves the resources of the municipalities. The common understanding of species protection priorities developed during the course of the project assists the municipalities when making decisions pertaining to its business development projects along the Tana river. 5. Data on traditional fishing methods is collected from sources in both countries, and books published on traditional fishing methods and local Sami names of places. Effects: In addition to strengthening cultural heritage and sense of community in the area, the project will record tacit knowledge ( silent/oral knowledge ) to be passed down from one generation to the next published to a wide audience. This will support the profiling of the region and increase its appeal, as well as being important to the local population. We firmly believe that the books published during the project will increase interest among its readers about the language, culture and history of the indigenous Sámi. 6. Common recommendations on the construction of recreational areas along the river are established, and new picnic sites are planned and constructed. Effects: With the resting spots to be constructed within the scope of the project, the strain put on nature will be alleviated. Joint planning concerning the entire riverside area of the Tenojoki River, correctly focused services and well-planned structures will conserve nature in the present and reduce reparation costs for the future. 4. Project organisation 5

6 4.1. Project partners Main project partner in Finland (lead partner) is the regional ELY 1 -center in Lappland. The main partner in Norway is Tana municipality (Tana commune). Other partners are: In Finland: Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) and Utsjoki municipality. In Norway: Karasjok municipality, Tanavassdragets fiskeforvaltning (TF), Tana- og Varanger museumssiida (Tana museum), Fylkesmannen i Finnmark and Norges vassdrags- og energidirektorat (NVE)-nord Project organisation The main partners in Finland and Norway (ELY-centre and Tana municipality), are project coordinators on behalf of partners in their own country, and also responsible for coordinating activities between Finnish and Norwegian partners at the transborder level. Each partner is responsible for own activities according to the budget for each work package (WP) they are participating in. Partners for each work package is listed in ch.4. A steering group will be appointed at project start. All project partners will be represented in the steering group, as well as the WFD- authority in Finnmark (Finnmark fylkeskommune) Project period The project period is from Description of sub-projects (work packages). WP Management and Visibilty Objective- Management (WP 7.1) Effective and flexible management which facilitates information exchange between all the participants of the project and programme instrument authorities, together with a successful implementation of the project and attaining the aims set for the project. Objective- Visibility and external communication (WP 7.2) The objective of the communication is to make the project known to a large audience, and by using internal communications to speed up the initiation of the project and improve cooperation. This form of communication is an important function for the project, as it allows the attainment of the project 1 ELY = Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. 6

7 goals, i.e. to increase the knowledge about the environment among the border area municipalities, other public sector organisations and local operators, and through this achieving enhancement of expertise. Activities (Management) Action M1. Nomination of steering group Nomination of a steering group for the project and setting up the project organization. Start-up activities: partner agreements, bookkeeping, etc Action M2. Kick off meetings Kick-off meeting for all of partners, separate meetings in WPs and Steering group meeting back-toback. Action M3. Project coordination Flexible and sound overall coordination of the project; activities, finances, tenders, auditing, reporting etc. Keeping and enhancing networks and networking between the participants and project activities. Action M4. Planning and reporting Regular planning and follow-up to ensure a high degree of interaction and project propulsion according to action plan; preparation and arrangement of Steering group meetings and documentation; writing interim reports, bookkeeping materials delivering to auditors, submitting payment requests Prepare and arrange the meetings Action M5. Mid-tem meetings Arranging of mid-term separate meetings in WPs when needed Action M6. Final seminar and final report The activity includes a final seminar for all participants and the writing up of the final report. Time table for WP Management (7.1) Action Activity Spring 2017 Autumn 2017 M1. Steering Nomination group M2. Kick off meeting M3. Project coordination M4. Planning and reporting Spring 2018 Autumn 2018 January 2019 M%. Mid-term meeings 7

8 M6. Final seminar and final report Time table- Visibility (external communication)(7.2). The activities (actions) regarding external communication are presented in the time table below. Actions- external communication Press release in Finnish and Norwegian lanquage Information of the project on Partners web pages Information to the working group on environment of Barents Euro-Arctic Council Publishing Tana water monitoring results in the Internet (WP 3) Publishing news about created fish date base in the Internet (WP 1) Information to the Finnish-Norwegian transboundary water commission about the project/progress in implementation Book about Sámi geographical names and Publication obout traditional local fishing methods (WP 5) Seminar of exchange experiences concerning the surveying of migration barrier problems and the reparation of such (interest group outside of the project wil be invided) (WP 2) Public meetings in municipalities with presentations of books on Traditional fishing methods Fact sheet/ leaflet (in the beginning of the project and in the end of the project with the results Announcement of public meetings (posters etc) Integrating Information about endangered species and habitats in the official websites in Finland and Norway (WP 4) Literature review and deliver work in WP4 to the municipalities for implementation in physical planning (WP 4) Spring Autumn Spring Autumn 8

9 Publish information on new picnic places and resting set on municipalities websites (WP 6) Digital photos/ audiovisual materials about the project WP.1: Database on results from electrofishing surveys Background Research has been carried on in the Tana watershed over a long period of time concerning the occurrence of juvenile salmon, trout and char in small brooks and tributaries. Work has been done to evaluate the production capacities of juvenile migratory fishes in tiny brooks. Distribution studies have been undertaken to evaluate the negative impacts of culverts to the distribution of fishes. There is a need for presenting this information using GIS-technology, to the help of researchers, authorities, municipalities and the general public. Objective (WP 1) «To combine data sets collected in Finland and in Norway from electrofishing surveys over the past 40 years, and to present this information on GIS-maps. Cross-border added value Data from both sizes of the Tana river will be combined. Making GIS maps with data storages it will be observed the activities done in Finland and in Norway and it will help further cooperation. This combined data helps also in the management of salmon fisheries. Partners In Finland: LUKE and ELY-centre. In Norway: Tanavassdragets fiskeforvaltning (TF) Project activities Action 1.1 Analysis of the information This activity includes: Clarify the location of the material collected annually, search coordinates for each fishing site, combine coordinates and other basic data from each site Action 1.2 Coordination meeting(luke, ELY and TF) presentation of existing information on the occurrence of juvenile salmon, trout and char in small brooks and tributaries from the year 1972 onwards type of data (fish age, length, weight, fishing site, date, growth measurements from scales) information on researchers design of the database, use of it and limitationts 9

10 Action 1.3. Combination of Finnish and Norwegian data and production of GIS-information and maps This activity includes the transfer of salmon, trout, char juveniles data in studied sites into GIS maps. Combining the Finnish and Norwegian data demands technical work to make the digital information compatible with the software in the other country. Presenting the combined data in the same GIS map. Action 1.4.Combination of Finnish and Norwegian data Combine Finnish and Norwegian data from electrofishing sites (occurrence of juvenile fish) into the same GIS map presentation. Action 1.5. Project report from data collected ( ). This activity includes the production of a report on the occurrence of juvenile salmon, trout and char in small brooks and tributaries of the River Tana watershed from the material collected in Time table (WP 1) Action Activity Spring 2017 Autumn 2017 Spring 2018 Autumn Analysis of information 1.2. Coordination meeting 1.3. Combination of Finnish and Norwegian data 1.4. WP report Writing of report WP 2. Fish migration barriers Background Small streams and brooks are important habitats for many fish species in a river system. In the Teno system, brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) are among the species that typically occupy such habitats. Brooks have been shown to be important rearing areas also for juvenile Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), although salmon do not reproduce in the brooks (Erkinaro 1997). Juvenile salmon enter the brooks from the spawning habitats in the main streams and stay in the brooks for one or more years before the next phase in their life-cycle, smolt migration to the sea. In some cases, residence in these small tributaries is mostly seasonal, as a majority of the fish descend to the main streams during autumn. Free-flowing, high-quality river continuums from the sea or lake basin, or from one river valley to the next is the habitat and an essential prerequisite for many aquatic fauna. The obstacles along the river channel determines how far along the river continuum the aquatic fauna can spread out. Even in 10

11 watercourses in their natural state it is possible to find cascades, shallow waters and dry channels that can either be impossible for water fauna to bypass or these create seasonal deterrence. The construction of roads has nevertheless multiplies the number of obstacles and has thereby deteriorated the quality of living environments. Many streams or small rivers running under roads have been fitted with concrete culverts. These concrete culverts have either been detrimental to or completely prevented the distribution of young migratory fish into the upstream nursery grounds. Since 1999, a large effort has been made to survey and rehabilitate road culverts or other fish migration barriers in the Tana river system. In both countries, a number of different technical solutions have been used for the removal of migration barriers. In this project, experiences will be exchanged and joint recommendations made on surveying and restoration of migration barriers. Inspections will be made of the current state of restoration objects, as well as the condition of the road culverts. Restoration plans will be made for two pilot sites in Finland and two in Norway, and restoration will be conducted for two of these sites. Objective (WP 2) To increase fish migration by restoring migrations barriers in Tana river tributaries and streams Cross-border added value. The Tenojoki River and the river continuums located along its watercourse form a waterway network that broadly spread over the areas of two different nations. The habitats of migratory fish are widespread: breeding areas can be located in one nation s area, whereas feeding grounds can be located in the areas of the other nation. The measures of the project will improve the migratory connections for salmonids by expanding the salmon fry distribution areas from small tributaries. The new habitat is an important addition to the production area, which means therefore that the impact of the project covers the entire River Tenojoki waterway and more widely as far as the Atlantic Ocean. The project also has an important role in increasing and exchanging know-how between regional and local authorities in both countries as how to effectively survey and repair migration barriers. Partners In Norway: NVE (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate), Tana municipality and Tanavassdraget Fiskeforvaltning. In Finland: ELY-centre and LUKE. Results and benefits The occurrence of young salmon, trout and Arctic char in the tributaries and streams of the Tenojoki River have been examined and documented. The CURRENT state of road culverts has been examined and documented in accordance with the NEW surveying instructions intended for culvert structures. The functioning of these as a channel for migration has been estimated using electrofishing techniques. The necessity for the reparation of these road culverts acting as migratory barriers is still estimated from the perspective of economic benefit. 11

12 An investigation into the migratory barrier problem and reparation alternatives for the delta of the Nilijoki River. The drawing up of a reparation plan based on the findings obtained from the investigation. Activities Action 2.1. Joint Finnish Norwegian seminar The activity includes the organising of a joint seminar where experiences om migration barrier restorations are exchanged, including presentations of projects that have succeeded well and of failures. Action 2.2. Inspection of current state (electrofishing) Includes the inspection of the current state (baseline) of small rivers and streams flowing into the Tenojoki River, Karasjoki River, Inarijoki River and Utsjoki River sites on both the Norwegian and Finnish sides of the border. The occurrences of salmon, trout and Arctic char will be estimated using electrofishing techniques. Action 2.3.Inspection on state of road culverts At the same time, the condition of the road culverts in Finland will be inspected in accordance with the jointly agreed and developed surveying instructions that were set in the 2000s. The functioning of these as a migratory channel will be estimated on the basis of electrofishing techniques. 1 2 pilot sites will be selected for which reparation plans will be drawn up and restoration will be done, using the knowledge accumulated on both the Norwegian and Finnish sides of the border in the 2000s. Action 2.4 Reparation of the migration barrier in Lišmmajohka, Tana. The migration barrier is a road culvert located on a private road close to the river mouth of Lišmmajohka, a sidestream to the main Tana river (for reference, see and river id R). The barrier is described in reports from 2004 through a previous Norwegian-Finnish project, but has not been repaired yet as it is located on a private road where the road owner has no formal reponsiblity as to national legislation. The Lišmmajohka was considered to have large potential for restoration in the 2004-survey; it is a medium sized stream and salmon juveniles were detected through electrofishing in 2004 downstream the migration barrier. The river is 4-5 km. long from the river mouth to the lake Lismajávri. Action 2.5. Reparation of migration barrier in Vuohppejohka, Tana. The migration barrier is a road culvert located on a private road close to the river mouth of Vuohppejohka, a sidestream to the main Tana river (for reference, see and river id R). There is also a migration barrier on the main road upstreams which is included in the Water Management Plans for the Norwegian- Finnish Water Region, and which will be repaired by The National Road Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) during the plan period of For this measure to be effective, however, a restoration of the barrier on the private road is essential. 12

13 Timetable (WP 2) Action Activity Spring 2017 Autumn 2017 Spring 2018 Autumn Joint seminar 2.2. Electrofishing 2.3 Inspection on state of culverts 2.4. Reparation of barriers Reparation of barriers Field work Field work, planning and restoration plans Migration barrier in LIsmmajohka Migration barrier in Vuohppejohka WP 3. Monitoring of water quality and ecology in the Tana river Background The Tana catchment area is part of a Finnish-Norwegian international river basin district. Tana river is one of the most important rivers for Atlantic salmon in Europe. The northern regions are among the areas where the effects of climate change can be most clearly detected and where temperatures are projected to raise the most. As an oligotrophic and sub-arctic river, Tana river is intrinsically sensitive to changes, both anthropogenic and climatic changes. The Water Framework Directive implies that the state of the waters is monitored, and there is a need for a monitoring program that provides both reference data (surveillance monitoring) and data that gives an estimate of the impact of pressures (operational monitoring). The latter should be designed so that the effects of measures can be assessed. Development and maintaining adequate frequency and coverage of monitoring is presumed to detect changes. In addition, monitoring data also servers the purposes of AMAP (Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme) and CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna). The Tana catchment area, as part of a Finnish-Norwegian international river basin district, was established by a bilateral agreement between the countries to implement the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The report Joint water management of the Finnish-Norwegian river basin district provides a summary of the river basin management plans (RBMPs) in the two respective countries for this catchment. In this document, significant pressures and the need for a common monitoring program is identified. Some of the pressures are regarded as significant in both countries. In Tana, this is; - Wastewater and sewage - Diffuse source pollution - Fish migration barriers 13

14 - Preventive measures against the spread of Gyrodactylus salaris and other fish diseases - Alien/invasive species Some of the pressures are regarded as significant in only one of the countries. In Tana, overexploitation of anadromous fish is only listed as a pressure on the Norwegian side. Currently, Norway and Finland are running monitoring activities separately. There is some cooperation and coordination, and exchange of data, but one is far from having a joint program covering the needs outlined in the WFD. Establishing a common monitoring program will provide shared data, to which both countries will have ownership. This may contribute to common assessment of the state of the waters - a foundation for common water body-specific environmental objectives, and border-crossing coordination of measures needed to reach these objectives. To achieve a harmonised and joint river basin management considerable development is still required, in developing a common monitoring program. Dissemination of information to the local inhabitants on both sides of the river, on both water quality and generally on the state of the environment is important. Water quality wastewater and sewage issues The Tana river water quality is being monitored in three annual sites and Finland and four in Norway. In addition all the eight (8) sewage treatment plants in the area (three in Finland and five in Norway) have annual operational monitoring. In Finland, monitoring is also based on river samples up streams and down streams the waste water plant. In the Norwegian plants, river sampling has not been introduced. Data from each sampling station is stored in the respective country s database. In Finland, annual reports for the waste water plants are published. At the moment there is no regular river basin wide dissemination of information. Functioning of sewage treatment and especially summer time water quality is of constant interest to the local public. They also identify tourism as pressure to water quality. In July 2015 a large sanitary waste product was found in Inarijoki, downstream of Karigasniemi. The waste origins remain unknown and the incident provoked public concern about the water sanitary quality in Finland. In Norway, there is a similar concern from the general public on water quality. River sampling up streams and down streams the waste water plants in Karasjok, Tanabru, Skiippagurra, Rustefjelbma and Seida is established from Sampling time, - methods and parameters for analysis are coordinated between Norway and Finland. Objective (WP 3) To develop a common monitoring programme for water quality and ecological status in the Tana river, and to publish monitoring data of waste water discharges into the river. Partners In Finland: ELY-keskus. In Norway: Fylkesmannen I Finnmark, Tana and Karasjok municipalities. Activities Action 3.1. Development of a common monitoring program The activity includes the process of developing a common monitioring program as to monitoring of water quality and ecological status at a number of sites in both Finland and Norway. 14

15 Action Dissemination of information on water quality This activity includes the dissemination of information to local inhabitants on both sides of the river, on both water quality and generally on the state of the environment is important. Joint information dissemination on the Tana river water quality will beestablished. This is located preferably on an already existing and suitable web site. Essential water quality data from annual monitoring is presented in both national languages by the relevant authorities. Monitoring data from Norwegian and Finnish waste water plants are published along with the other river monitoring data on the internet, along with the annual reports of the treatment plants Annual reports for the Norwegian waste water plants are developed as a part of the project and as a basis for future co-operation. Timetable (WP 3) Action Activity Spring 2017 Autumn 2017 Spring 2018 Autumn Development of a common monitoring programme Meeting a project start Monitoring Evalutation meeting 3.2. Information on water quality Publication of monitoring data on the internet River monitoring- Norwegian waste water plants Annual reports from Norwegian waste water plants WP 4. Biodiversity along the Tana river. Background The Tana River is by far one of the most valuable rivers for biodiversity in Norway and Finland. There is little information on biodiversity (species and habitat types) along the Tana river in both countries (Finland and Norway). Rare plant species should be better mapped and documented. This information is very important for decision making and in environmental impact assessments. Many eastern and almost endemic species of plants, mushrooms, butterflies and riparian insects are found along the Tana river. The river has a diversity of habitat types adapted to the demanding conditions of the flood, ice and erosion processes. Many rare species are threatened or could be so due to various human impacts. In the long term, human-induced climate change is a major threat. 15

16 The catchment area is characterised by large areas of pristine nature and there are great conservation values both along the main river and along the tributaries. A key feature of the Tana River is vast stretches of sandbanks and shallow river sections. Together with these open habitats * ERred-listed in Norway include Thymus serpyllum tanaensis, Thalictrum minus ssp.kemense, Oxytropis campestris ssp. Sordid, Elymus fibrosus, Arctagrostis latifolia, Lathyrus pilosus and Silene tatarica. These rare plant species should be better mapped, documented and monitored. Soil erosion and sediment transportation is important features of the natural river dynamics These processes are related to ice flows, which vary from year to year. Human activity related to recreation, agriculture and road construction may, together with erosion protection constructions, affect the biodiversity, habitat types and vulnerable species. The climate change can may affect the river processes according to flooding, erosion and ice processes and affect the vulnerable species adapted to these conditions. Birds like Riparia riparia and Emberiza scoeniclus on the new Norwegian red list have been registrated along the river. Especially Riparia riparia have important nest colonies in the vast sandhills along the river. These birds connected to the river banks and vegetation zone should be mapped and documented for better management, monitoring and protection. Riparian red listed insects like Cicindella maritima have important living habitats on sandshores on Norwegian side along Kárášjohka and is recently documented along the main river. Human impacts and climate change can be threats. This species group should be better mapped, monitored and documented. In Norway, existing information is already digitally mapped and publically available in the databases Naturbase ( and Artsdatabanken ( In Finland information about species is available as spots on maps. Few areas are digitally mapped. When it comes to habitates information is only available regarding state areas. Almost no information about private property is registrated. In Norway, the municipalities are responsible for physical planning, both on master plan level and when it comes to detailed plans. An important part of this work is to consider the impact on natural heritage. Objective (WP 4) To increase the knowledge about the biodiversity in the Tana river valley and improve the biodiversity management by: Developing a knowledge-base on already existing information on the distribution, ecology, impacts and needs for management and protection of the rare and redlisted species of plants, birds, fungi and insects along the river on Norwegian and Finnish side. Collection of new knowledge within some focus- areas geographically and regarding species of particular interest The lowlands in the Tana valley is the geographical area of the project, which will focus mainly on the river area, sidelets and riverbanks. 16

17 Cross-border added value Natural heritage in a common shared river valley cannot be managed nationally, but needs to be considered geographically regardless of national borders. This project will give a better premise for in which to treat biodiversity issues in the Tana river on a transborder level in the future and may lay the foundation for a future common management in the two countries: exchange of knowledge and know-how on biodiversity issues between regional and national authorities in the two countries Exchange of information between Norway and Finland on the Norwegian national pilot project on biodiversity and physical planning. Project results and benefits The main result of this project will be information about rare species and habitats in the Tana valley geographically registered in maps. In Norway this information will be added to the digital maps in the official websites Naturbase and Artsdatabanken, and for the first time transborder information will be available in these websites. There will be made a report which describes the distribution, ecology, impacts and needs for management and protection of certain rare and red-listed species and habitats in the area. The maps and the report will be available for all decision-makers on local, regional and national level and will be an important tool in environmental impact assessments. Project activities Action 4.1.Systemizing and digital mapping of the existing information about endangered species and habitats/ ecosystems (N=«naturtyper») in the Tana valley on both the Finnish and Norwegian side. o Combining existing digital information (N: Municipalities and fylkesmannen Integration in the website Naturbase ) o Literature review (N: Municipalities, SF: ELYkeskus) o Digital mapping and integration in the official websites (N: Naturbase) Action 4.2.Exchange of the existing information o Meetings between the responsible partners (municipalities, fylkesmannen and ELYkeskus) to define and plan the work to be done. o Technical work to make the digital information compatible with the software in the other country 17

18 Action 4.3. Systematic mapping of some geographic areas and species of particular interest, eg. Cicindela maritima, Elymus fibrosus, Elymus mutabilis, Thalictrum kemense and fungi spp. Meetings between the responsible partners (Tana and Karasjok kommuner, fylkesmannen and ELYkeskus) to identify the species and areas of main interest. Field studies accomplished by skilled biologists. Report. (ELYkeskus and Tana kommune) Digital mapping and integration in the official websites (N: Naturbase) (ELYkeskus and Tana kommune) Action 4.4.Establishing a routine with yearly exchange of new, relevant information between the partners. Responsible Tana kommune and ELY- keskus Action 4.5.Report on project results and recommendations for future co-operation. Responsible ELY-keskus and Tana kommune Timetable (WP 4) Action Activity Systemizing and digital mapping of existing information Combining existing digital information. Integration in the official websites Literature review 4.2 Exchange of existing information 4.3 Systematic mapping (areas and specific species) Digital mapping and integration in the official websites Meetings to define and plan the work Technical work and exchange of information Meetings to identify the species and areas of main interest Field studies and separate reports 18

19 Digital mapping and integration in the official websites 4.4 Establishing a routine with yearly exchange of information 4.5 Report and recommendations WP 5. 1 and 5.2. Documentation of traditional fishing methods and Sami names of places along the river Background The salmon of the Tana river has created a migratory fish fishing culture in the main river and in it s numerous tributaries in Finland and Norway. Centuries ago, this fishing culture shaped and affected the settlement in the entire river valley. Some of the development or changes occurring in the salmon fishing culture are consequences of socalled tacit information and local information, in other words knowledge that has been passed from one generation to the next within a family setting. There is a great deal of such information about salmon fishing on the Tana river that has accumulated over the years and even over the course of centuries. Back in the 1980s and 1990s the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (now called Natural Resources Institute Finland) conducted wide-reaching research into the immaterial values, means of fishing, the significance of salmon fishing and the characteristics of the river in respect to different fishing cultures along the river by interviewing particularly old fishermen in Finland and Norway. The interviews were mainly conducted in Sámi language and were recorded. The interviews that were done using Sámi language have been made into Microsoft Word files. In Norway, similar material is recorded. Within this project, all this unique material will be made in written form and publically available. The book will be produced in Finnish and Sámi languages. Written in the Sámi language it would bring together the people and communities living on both sides of the river by depicting their joint salmon fishing culture and the various ways of using the river for future generations. The new book will supplement already published books on the topic in Norway. As cultures undergo change, natural economies evolve and develop into service trades, which means that the old place names used for salmon fishing along the river are also susceptible to change. The range of old place names recounts and characterises the already experienced cultural era of salmon fishing, which was indeed also linguistically significant, but is now disappearing. The new groups of fishermen replace the old names used for salmon fishing with new terms, or then the old Sámi names have been adapted for their own language, becoming words that are colloquially more appealing. The consequence of this is that the background of the original names will disappear and change completely. In order to make assurances that the names used in the Koski-Teno area related 19

20 to the knowledge pertaining to the salmon fishing culture are preserved, the accumulation and publishing of the aforementioned place name information is of great importance. During this subproject information will be sought for making the book, but also supplementary information on traditional fishing methods and fishing traditions from both side of the river (Norway and Finland) will be sought. This information will be recorded and the necessary parts will be digitalised. A follow-up project will be planned during the course of the project, as well as follow-up measures for utilising the collected and recorded material in, for instance, exhibitions and virtual demonstrations telling about fishing traditions. Partners In Finland: The Natural Resources Institute (LUKE), Utsjoki municipality and ELY keskus. In Norway: Tana and Varanger museumssiida (Tana museum). Objective (WP 5.1. and 5.2) a) To document traditional, local means of fishing as the basis for exhibitions, visual presentations, and more expansive research project, and b) To make a book about the salmon fishing culture of the Tana River and a book recording the Sámi place names along Tana river area and the history of the origins of these place names. Activities Action 5.1. Survey of existing information in both countries Surveying of old imagery material and written information about traditional means of fishing (photographs, cinefilms, museums, e.g. the Polmak and Karasjok museums, private collections). Recording of the narrations given by old fishermen, e.g. utilisation of archived material. Documentation of different types of fishing methods as digital photographs and videos (traps and active fishing). Action 5.2. Analysis of recorded information This activity includes the joint analysis of recorded information and the production of exhibition material to be used in Finland and Norway, hereunder to supplement the existing salmon exhibition at Tana museum. Action 5.3. Production of books This activity includes the production of books, from planning for the content and structure of the book to the actual production. Background explanations of names in Finnish will be translated to Sámi. The Sámi text will be transcribed from audio recordings. Images related to the subject and the rights for using these images will be sought from the National Board of Antiquities in Finland and from museums in Norway Action 5.4. Planning of follow-up project Cooperation with the museums and research facilities of Finland, Norway and possibly other Arctic nations for the preparation of the follow-up project. 20

21 Timetable (WP 5.1. and 5.2) Action Activity Spring 2017 Autumn 2017 Spring 2018 Autumn Survey of existing information Meeting at project start Collection of existing information 5.2. Analysis of information 5.3. Producition of books 5.4. Planning of follow-up project WP. 6 Recreational sites along the river Background Nature and its diversity provides unique nature experiences and nature-related activities for the inhabitants of and visitors to the River Tenojoki valley. In Lappland, tourism is increasing and it is putting a strain on nature. Well organised resting spots are beneficial to nature and backpackers alike. This is important also in Norway, where governmental authorities focus on outdoor activities for locals and visitors, and stress the need for picnic sites at important fishing sites. A specific focus will be on obstacle- free routes to the shore suitable for disabled, according to principles of universal construction ( universiell utforming ) and principles for avoiding erosion on picnic sites. Arrangements will be made in such a way that with the introduction of waste sorting facilities and composters the landfill waste quantities will not increase even though the number of visitors rises. Litter-free outdoor pursuits will reduce the number of maintenance trips to the excursion sites and consequently also reduces noise, emissions and erosion of the ground. In addition to relieving the strain put on the environment, this will also save money and work time. Objectives (WP 6) To plan and construct new and improved recreational sites along the Tana river, hereby: exchange of know-how on planning and construction of recreational sites, and cooperation on the set-up of the sites. In particular on principles for universal planning of picnic sites in Norway and Finland. the planning and construction of a resting spot to be located in the municipality of Utsjoki, as well as an obstacle- free route to the shore suitable for disabled; the planning of a (1) picnic site in Karasjok municipality and the construction and rehabilitation of a (1) site in the municipality of Tana. 21