Environmental and nature protection
Water protection
Hydraulic construction refers to dredging, construction of piers, embankments and filling. These measures must be reported to the regional ELY Centre. Hydraulic construction may also require a permit under the Water Act, depending on the size of the project.
Renovation of your own beach or body of water
The protection of areas near water bodies is particularly important for the protection of aquatic nature and for preserving biodiversity.
Water levels in water bodies in Pirkanmaa
Groundwater
There are six classified groundwater areas in Kihniö: Jokikylä, Kirkonkylä, Linnankylä A, Naarmijärvi, Pyhäniemi and Mäntylänharju. Four of these have water supplies. Groundwater areas have stricter requirements, for example regarding inspections of oil tanks, construction of geothermal wells and wastewater treatment. In addition to legislation, there are regulations in the municipality's own environmental protection regulations and building regulations.
See more about groundwater areas
Air protection and noise abatement
Air protection aims to reduce the release of harmful substances into the air. Regional and municipal actors are responsible, through the environmental permit procedure, for ensuring that operators reduce their emissions as required by law.
The general goal of noise abatement is a healthy and pleasant living environment free from noise nuisance. Citizens should also be able to enjoy silence and listen to the sounds of nature.
A written notification must be made to the municipal environmental protection authority of any activity or event that causes temporary noise or vibration. The notification must be made in good time, at least 30 days before the action is taken or the activity begins. Various guideline values have been given for noise levels, which must be followed during the activity. The submission of a noise notification is also regulated by the municipal environmental protection regulations.
Conservation
There are four nature reserves in Kihniö, the largest of which is the Päretkivenneva-Teerineva-Pohjoisneva peatland reserve in the northern part of Kihniö. The reserve is included in the Natura 2000 network. In addition to state lands, there are 3 legally protected nature reserves on private landowners' lands.
A landowner can protect their land by applying for protection of their area from the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment. For example, landowners have applied for voluntary protection of their forests through the METSO programme. The state pays compensation for protection and nature management under the METSO programme. A new protection measure is the HELMI environmental programme, which aims to strengthen biodiversity, for example by protecting endangered species and habitat types.
The SOTKA project, in turn, aims to increase the populations of declining game birds by, for example, building wetlands, restoring bogs and trapping small predators. In addition to waterfowl, the project aims to strengthen the population of the endangered grouse.
Nature conservation signs
A natural monument is an individual or small-scale protected area as referred to in the Nature Conservation Act.
Nature conservation signs (PDF brochure)
The brochure explains what a natural monument is, how to apply for protection for them, how they are maintained, and when to apply for the termination of protection for a natural monument.
Stabilization of a natural monument (pdf instructions)
Application for the protection of a natural monument (pdf)
Natural monument sign (pdf instructions)
Waste disposal
The municipality of Kihniö, together with seven other municipalities (Alavus, Ilmajoki, Kuortane, Kurikka, Lapua, Seinäjoki and Ähtäri), is part of the Lakeude Waste Board, which is responsible for the authority tasks related to waste management in the area of the member municipalities. The Waste Board is also responsible for and decides on matters within its area of operation that, according to the Waste Act (646/2011), are regulated as the responsibility of the municipal waste management authority.
The practical implementer of waste management in the Waste Board's area of jurisdiction is Lakeuden Etappi Oy. Etappi's tasks include waste transport and processing as well as waste management information and advice.
Kihniö waste management is handled by Stage.
The emptying of septic tanks in the Kihniö area is handled by a contractor selected by Etapi. Contact Etapi's customer service tel. 06-421 4900.
Regional collection points are intended for waste to be burned by leisure residents.
Eco-points are collection points for packaging waste and paper intended for households.
Waste stations accept sorted recyclable waste from households free of charge. A fee is charged for waste to be burned, waste to be sorted, waste to be disposed of and information security paper at waste stations according to the price list. The Kihniö waste station is located at Teollisuustie. Waste station opening hours.
Waste legislation regulates waste-related activities. Compliance with the Waste Act is monitored by municipal environmental protection authorities and ELY centres.
Waste disposal regulations
Municipal waste management regulations are local regulations on waste management based on the Waste Act. The regulations are binding on all residents of the municipality. Waste management regulations are issued, among other things, on joining waste management, sorting and collecting different types of waste, and self-processing of waste. The regulations ensure effective waste management that does not cause environmental or health hazards.
On September 7, 2022, the Regional Waste Management Board approved new waste management regulations for the area, which entered into force on November 1, 2022.
Municipal waste management regulations.