What happened
Finland's Licensing and Supervision Agency (LVV) issued an order on Oct. 6 to Tuike Finland Oy, Google's project subsidiary, halting preparatory work at two data center sites in Muhos and Otanmäki in the Kajaani area. The order must be implemented by Oct. 23 at the latest and remains in force until environmental impact assessments are completed for both projects.
Why work was halted
LVV said the preparatory work could significantly alter the environment. Work already carried out included clearing trees, removing topsoil, building site roads and storage areas, digging excavations and altering ditches and culverts. The order also covers quarrying, crushing and moving soil masses; planning, measurements and soil surveys are exempt, along with other steps with minimal environmental impact that can be easily undone.
Forest loss and backlash
Public information indicates about 740 acres (300 hectares) of forest was cleared at the Muhos site alone. Reports citing ecologists from the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation put the total near 400,000 trees across both sites, including about 150,000 at Otanmäki. Because the clearing was carried out without the required assessments, campaigners say the timber cannot be sold to wood-processing plants. Residents also report brown water flowing from the Muhos site into a stream that feeds the Oulujoki River.
