Forestry Act Envisions Nation of Responsible Yeoman Stewards
The forestry council formed by Environment Minister Keit Pentus and consisting of NGOs, experts and MPs met for the first time on March 7 and was briefed on the new draft Forestry Act.
The Ministry described the draft Forestry Act as more environmentally friendly and in line with interests of smaller landowners.
The aim is to bring the Forestry Act into conformity with a forestry development plan approved in 2011, which states that use of forests, which cover over half of the country, must not exceed the annual increment and that at least 10 percent must remain under strict protection.
The draft legislation sets forth stricter oversight of state subsidies, avoids fragmentation of holdings and reduces bureaucracy, said the Ministry.
Forest owners will be required to regenerate all cuts more than three hectares in area. The Environmental Authority would have the right to verify regeneration independently of the owner. And the boundaries of cuts on one side will no longer have to be drawn strictly according to rectilinear gridlines, allowing the natural shape of a stand of trees to be followed.
Smallholders will also face fewer reporting obligations. Those owning fewer than five hectares would not be required to inventory their woodland; the current limit is two hectares. And up to 20 cubic meters can be cut without specifying the type of cut, although this still has to be coordinated with the Environmental Authority.
"It is small forest owners, of whom there are tens of thousands, who have key importance to the future of our forests," said Marku Lamp, an official at the Ministry. "Their awareness must increase and they definitely also require state support to know how to manage the forests in an environmentally friendly manner." He said the Private Forest Center stands ready to provide consultation.
Kristopher Rikken