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Responsible for the service Regional State Administrative Agency

The need for an environmental and water management permit, the competence of the permit authority

  • Service
  • Nationwide except the Åland Islands
  • Public service

An environmental permit on the basis of the Environmental Protection Act is needed for any activity that causes a risk of environmental pollution. A permit on the basis of the Water Act is often needed for projects that change the waterways and groundwater conditions. If a permit is needed on the basis of the Environmental Protection Act as well as on the basis of the Water Act, one application an ...

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If it is unclear whether a permit is needed and what the competent authority is, it is recommended to contact the customer service of the environmental matters at the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) or the municipal environmental protection authority. The consideration of the need for environmental or water management permits is carried out by the supervisory authority instead of the Regional State Administrative Agency. The supervisory authority gives advice and, if need be, a statement of the need for a permit.

To whom and on what terms

The Regional State Administrative Agency and the municipal Environmental Protection Authority grant the environmental permits.

The Environmental Protection Act and the Regulation determine more specifically which authority should handle the application for a permit. The competence is determined on the basis of the quality of the project. In practice, the Regional State Administrative Agency handles the environmental permits of large and medium size projects as well as matters that require a permit under the Water Act. The other environmental permits belong to the competence of the municipal environmental protection authority.

Background information

The service is provided by

Regional State Administrative Agency

Responsible for the service

Regional State Administrative Agency
Text edited by: Regional State Administrative Agency
Updated: 9/9/2020