Under some emergency conditions, such as emergency road repairs or salvage of insect-killed or windthrown trees, the normally required planning process can be avoided. Tools for implementation of the Act include compulsory directives given by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, recommendations and general guidelines. Recommendations and guidelines are based on research results, long-term empirical data, and current ideas on what constitutes good forest and ecosystem management. Detailed action directives and work procedures are not embodied in the guidelines. Discretionary authority for state forests is divided between parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and Forest and Park Service officials.
Parliament dictates annual revenue, recreation and nature conservation goals in the state budget.
Field activities are the responsibility of the district offices. Each district has a forest management plan that defines their objectives. The private land owners make the decisions concerning the cutting and tending of Finland's private forests. Forestry personnel of the district boards will provide information and assistance based on the forest owners goal. However, practical assistance is usually provided by the forest management associations located throughout the country.