Southwest Finland
is a competent and experienced environmental actor and expert in the regions of Southwest Finland and Satakunta. We are actively and openly working for a good environment together with local people and organisations.
Working together
Regional Environment Centres belong to state administration, under the Ministry of the Environment. Environment Centres also take care of the use and management of water resources under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The goal of the environment centres is to keep the natural environment and people?s living environment in good condition in their area. The environment centres promote the sustainable use of natural resources, restrict and control the load burdening the environment, as well as preserving various natural environments and the aesthetic and cultural values of the environment.
Our activities are organized in seven units
- Administration Department
- Nature Conservation Department
- Land Use Department
- Environmental Permits Department
- Water Protection Department
- Water Resources Planning Department and
- the Unit of Environmental Construction.
For a better environment
Good condition of water systems
Waste water load on waters from point sources has decreased, but non-point loading is still significant. The efficiency of agriculture and forestry, growth of industrial production, interest in building on shores, need for recreational use of water and archipelago areas, as well as various needs for protection sometimes cause conflicts. In order to reach a good ecological and chemical balance of water systems, the Environment Centre supervises the parties burdening the water systems, aims at reducing their load, taking both the use and protection of shore areas into account. The Environment Centre has enhanced water protection by co-founding two important, regional water protection programmes, the Pro Saaristomeri programme in the Archipelago Sea and the protection programme for the waters in Satakunta (Satavesi).
Community structure
The urban area around Turku is a growth centre where the population growth and busy business life require intensive building of business facilities, services and residential flats. The growth in the Salo region is also very fast. The urban areas of Pori and Rauma are growing moderately. Near the growth centres the community structure is under threat of being scattered, and the traffic increases. The building stock of Southwest Finland is historically multi-layered and valuable. The Environment Centre guides the planning of land use, emphasising harmonious solutions for the community structure, availability of basic services, as well as good living environment and a high standard of building.
Protection of biodiversity
There are valuable shores, waterfowl habitats, peatlands, eskers and traditional rural landscapes in Southwest Finland. Nature reserves are founded in order to implement the national protection programmes and the Natura 2000 network. Nature reserves are, however, small and scattered, and the land use outside them is so effective that the number of threatened species and their habitats is continuously decreasing. In order to maintain the biological diversity, the Environment Centre controls that nature protection is taken into account in development projects. We also promote the inventories, protection and management of traditional rural landscapes.
High quality of living environment
Good living environment for people includes clean air, clean water and soil, and no noise. Risks are caused in the living environment by, for instance, activities that pollute the air, chemical accidents, defects in the treatment of waste and waste water, contaminated soil areas or natural phenomena, such as drought and floods. The Environment Centre monitors the state of the environment, guides the prevention of environmental damage, remediates environmentally hazardous sites and promotes the reliable supply of high-quality household water in all circumstances.
Co-operation, information and services
The goal of the Environment Centre is to make all environmental issues an integral part of all planning and decision-making. The Environment Centre has an established position in the co-ordination and administration of the environmental issues in its region, as well as planning of large projects with effects on the environment. Close co-operation is conducted with, for instance, the regional councils, the Employment and Economic Development Centres, the State Provincial Office, the Road Region and Road Administration, the provincial museums, as well as industrial companies and municipalities.
Efficient co-operation requires systematic production and distribution of information, good customer service and unhindered interaction between the people and organisations of the region. The Environment Centre regularly provides information about topical issues and offers training to its co-operation partners. The Environment Centre runs an information service and a library. The Centre also publishes guide books, reports and a website.
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