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A Protected Mussel Species has been Relocated before the Construction of Forest Roads

JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) builds an average of 300 to 350 km of forest road per year. Before the construction of forest roads is started, approvals from various institutions are required, which may set requirements that must be followed or fulfilled during construction.

In the technical regulations, the State Environmental Service had determined that at the crossing points of the River Dzirnavupīte, it was necessary to move specimens of the specially protected mussel species Unio crassus before starting the construction of the forest road “Baraukas ceļš” in the South Latgale region, in the Aknīste Forest District.

Mussels were moved under special conditions: mussels from watercourse crossings had to be moved to similar sections of watercourses; the movement of mussels had to be carried out as quickly as possible, in the period from May to September, as well as the movement of mussels had to be carried out by an expert that specializes in invertebrates or the work had to be carried out under his supervision.

The specific work position was included in the construction costs. Before moving the protected mussels, a special permit had to be obtained from the Nature Conservation Board. The progress of the work will be reflected in the report, and species monitoring will also be carried out. The works were carried out with the support of SIA “Plagiatus”.

At the moment, construction works of the “Baraukas ceļs” forest road can be started at the crossing points of the River Dzirnavupīte in the South Latgale region. Construction works at the facility are carried out by SIA “LV ROADS”.