Regulated is income tax reform directed at private forest owners, which has taken years to reach a conclusion. As a result of the reform, forest owners are now able to write off expenses related to forest management, within a three year period following the sale of the forest, from revenue earned from the sale of the forest. “This means that, on the one hand, more timber from private forests should reach the market, which in turn should reduce the price pressure, and on the other hand, the forest owner also has better opportunities to restore the forest following harvesting,” said the Minister of the Environment. In regards to the Tuhala Witch’s Well and Nabala area, all mining related activities impacting Nabala have been halted. Work is taking place to prepare a proposal to establish a protected area and a clear position has been taken that the damaging of nature values is not acceptable. In other words, any mining that would result in damage to the Tuhala Witch’s Well and Nabala has been prohibited. “As far as mining is concerned, in the future we will clearly abide by the principle of security of supply and that the depletion of existing mines shall be preferred in place of the opening of new mines. This will also provide better opportunities for the restoration of depleted mining areas and, for example, the creation of proper recreation areas in their place,” said Pentus. The cleanliness of the air is one of the topics placed under increased scrutiny at the Ministry. In order to ensure clean air, the Act has been amended and the content of fine as well as especially fine particles in the air is being monitored. Proposals have also been developed for those problem areas in which people living in the vicinity of one or another industrial undertaking are continuously subjected to poorly smelling air. “The availability of clean air in Estonia should not become a luxury, but must be ensured for all people. There can be no compromises made in this area,” stated the Minister. In June it was decided to grant Environmental Investment Centre co-financing to the project of the Estonian Marine Institute at University of Tartu, as a result of which a model allowing for the mapping of all coastal waters habitats will be completed. “The reason for creating the model is the wish to bring an end to the situation where construction requests concerning maritime areas and involving wind generators are approached in a compartmentalised manner, one by one, and without taking the entire maritime area into consideration," remarked Pentus. The Ministry of the Environment has even focused its attention on the urban environment. As an example, Minister Pentus cited the decision which directs people to increase their use of suitable public transportation and thereby helps to reduce air pollution in Tallinn. “As a result of the agreement concluded in June, by the Ministry of the Environment with Spain, contemporary trams will finally appear on line No. 4 in Tallinn. To make sure that the project is definitely completed, the state will provide up to an additional EUR 18 million in financing for the construction of necessary rails for the new trams,” confirmed Keit Pentus. “So that residents of Tallinn would have better opportunities to spend time in the fresh air, during the course of the 100 days we have given the city free land to construct the Culture Kilometre as well as a several kilometre long bike path connecting the Nõmme park forest and the Harju forest. Legislation has been adopted regarding the European Union's next trading period scheme for greenhouse gases. This impacts dozens of companies, whose activities result in the emission of greenhouse gasses into the air. The new period will not begin until 2013, but it is important that the legal framework be in place as early as possible and the rules known. “Pursuant to the adopted law, it is possible for Estonian electricity producers to apply for free emission credits in order to cover their investments. This is offered as an additional opportunity to reduce the price pressure,” explained Keit Pentus. |
