Mission sustainment, Finnish perspective

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1 Mission sustainment, Finnish perspective Senior Advisor Hanna Uusitalo M.Sc. in environmental science and technology MoD of Finland, P.O. Box 31, Helsinki Phone:

2 Key topics and encroachment challenges Introduction of Finnish Defence Forces Environmental actors in the FDF Encroachment challenges Climate change and defence Noise and urbanization Safeguarding and improving biodiversity Endangered species and wildlife habitat Management of protected sites and recreational needs Management processes Training area management Sustainable garrison management Environmental management

3 Facts about Finnish Defence Administration Finland:5 million people, Territory: km2 Finnish Defence Budget: 1,3 % GNP, 2,3 billion euros fulltime employees (civilian and military) conscripts (serve 6-12 months) reservists trained each year Wartime strength is currently By 2009 wartime strength is Not a Nato member, active PfP participant

4 Environmental Protection Actors and Partners in the Defence Administration Ministry of Defence (political actor, resources) Defence Forces (military actor) Defence Construction Establishment (expert organisation, supplier and producer) Finnish Forest and Park Service (partner in EU Natura 2000) Senate properties (partner in defence premises) Civil Aviation Administration (partner in defence premises) Finnish Road Administration (partner in defence premises) Ministry of environment and environmental authorities Municipalities, regional authorities, companies, environmental organisations

5 Environmental Principles positive attitude for the environment Complying with laws and regulations Environmental protection act (2000) Land use and construction act (1999) Consciousness of negative environmental impacts Prevention and minimisation of negative impacts Cautious and careful conduct Use of BAT and BEP Commitment to the sustainable development and continuous improvement

6 Current Sustainability Affairs Participation in EU policy and legislation development Participation in national policy and legislation development Governmental sustainability programme; goals and indicators Strategies for 2025 Continuous development of sustainability in the military Continuous development of environmental protection measures

7 Actions according to the sustainability strategies: Sustainable garrison and training area management process Training area and garrison management Plan is a combination of the following: military activities, economical aspects, environmental wellbeing (protection, health and safety), social interaction Management plans are developed for internal effectiveness and for county and for city planning They include also following encroachment aspects: Biodiversity issues Designated sites for military use (base on case by case permission recreational use is allowed) Noise and safety concerns

8 Current Encroachment Challenges Climate change and defence New government effective from 15 April 2007 for has focused its efforts on climate change Defence administration must evaluate its impacts on climate change and the impacts of climate change to the defence sector Formulate an action program for defence administration Noise and urbanization Safeguarding and improving biodiversity Endangered species and wildlife habitat Management of protected sites and recreational needs

9 Noise Abatement Managing and monitoring aircraft noise Designated sites protected (farming, bird nesting etc.) Estimation of noise around ranges and shooting areas Goal to find a BAT for the rifle range structure (safety, noise, lead contamination, cost) Designated shooting times Public awareness Goal is to produce noise estimations for environmental permit process and for city planning to avoid conflicts with noise and urbanization Small calibre weapons Large calibre weapons

10 Environmental Permit Process According to the environmental Act Concerns shooting ranges, fuel distribution areas, oil and chemical storages, airfields, etc. Permit applications may become relevant to ensure to maximum use of training areas (not mandatory yet)

11 Environmental Training Conscripts General environmental training Training area rules and principles Training package on environmental protection and field hygiene Unit environmental officers Flexible modes learning environmental course National defence environmental training days Hazardous waste training Officer s basic studies Connected to logistic issues or engineering Participation in nation./international training

12 Military Areas in European Union Natura 2000 Network (protected sites) Endangered species and wildlife habitat controversial designation process in 1998 (Natura I) Goal to safeguard and develop wildlife habitat and biodiversity Several commonly used FDF training areas are included in the Natura 2000 network Next step is to include maritime of coast areas to the EU Natura 2000 netwrok Key challenges: How to effectively combine training needs to management of protected sites and to recreational needs Management plans are appropriate tool

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14 Restoration of Dune and Coastal Habitats in the Vattaja Military Area Vattajanniemi Large and welldeveloped series of dune-habitats Important exercise area and firing range for the Defence Forces EU-Life project Budget Partners: Metsähallitus Defence Forces Regional Environment Centre

15 The main objectives of the project Conservation and restoration of the habitats Combine military training and nature conservation and forestry Improving public awereness Specific objectives: Adjusting the activities of the Defence Forces in order to to prevent and mitigate damages to sensitive habitats Channelling the recreational use, raising public awareness

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17 Lessons learned and conclusion Encroachment challenges vary from place to place and they need continuous management New challenge is climate change and defence Sustainable practices require networking, cooperation and openness At the national strategic level and especially at the local action level (municipalities and environmental authorities) Sustainability is best maintained and developed by using management plans Requires auditing and reviewing

18 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! ANY QUESTIONS? Contact information: Hanna Uusitalo, MoD of Finland