A logging operation in Bjurholm, Sweden, was halted due to the presence of the very rare bombmurkla fungus, which is red-listed and one of five protected fungi in Sweden. The case is unique in Västerbotten. When the Swedish Forest Agency reviewed the logging plans in Bjurholm, both the county administrative board and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency had objections.
In anticipation of further review, the landowners were prohibited from logging their forest, with the decision accompanied by a penalty of one million kronor. The situation became complicated because the landowners want to convert their forest to farmland, meaning the matter should have been handled by Bjurholm municipality. The municipality had already approved the plans when the Forest Agency halted the logging.
The Forest Agency said no after the county administrative board raised objections, while Bjurholm municipality said yes after another unit within the county administrative board gave clearance. The plans will now be reviewed based on the species protection ordinance, and an investigation is needed before a decision is made on whether the logging can proceed.