The Government of Estonia approved a decision today according to which land tax reduction will be applied within the Lahemaa National Park, the Letipea and Neeruti Landscape Reserves, and the Puhatu Nature Reserve. According to mr. Tiit Sillaots, Adviser of the Nature Protection Department of the Ministry of the Environment, the state has the obligation to cover costs related to the taking of a protected natural object into protection, and management of protected objects. The land owners are compensated for restrictions related to the protection rules either through land tax reduction or land tax exemption, or through provision of financial nature management support for undertaking activities foreseen in the protection rules. "For areas where economic activity is restricted according to a procedure established by law, the land tax may by the Governmental decision be reduced to 25, 50, or 75% of the regular tax rate," said mr. Sillaots. According to the approved decision, land tax equivalent to 50% of the valid tax rate will be applied for 34 656 hectares within the Lahemaa National Park (northern Estonia). According to the Protection Rules, full land tax exemption will be applied within the Esku and Remnispea strict nature reserves and the Vainopea, Mustoja, Koljaku-Oandu, Pedassaare, Lahe, Ulkkari, Älvi, Korjuse, Laviku, Eru, Käsmu, Kuradi, Juku, Valgejõe-Laukasoo, Sillaotsa, Mohni, Kasispea, Pärlijõe, Ulliallika, Juminda-Suurekõrve, Viru raba, and Muuksi special management zones with a total area of 12 818.2 hectares Within the Letipea Landscape Reserve located in the Lääne-Viru County (northern Estonia), land tax equivalent to 25% of the valid tax rate will be applied for 33.63 hectares and to 75% of the valid tax rate for 94.47 hectares. Within the Neeruti Landscape Reserve located in the Lääne-Viru County (northern Estonia), land tax equivalent to 25% of the valid tax rate will be applied for 177.55 hectares and to 50% of the valid tax rate for 958.4 hectares. Full land tax exemption will be applied within the Juuru, Sinijärve, Kiisa, and Hobujärve special management zones with a total area of 134.63 hectares. Within the Puhatu Nature Reserve located in the Ida-Viru County (north-eastern Estonia), land tax equivalent to 25% of the valid tax rate will be applied for 1325.9 hectares and to 50% of the valid tax rate for 1166.2 hectares. Full land tax exemption will be applied within the Mustalatva, Puhatu soo, Poruni, Gorodenka, Lutsina, and Laukasoo special management zones with a total area of 9828.1 hectares. The revenues not accumulating due to land tax reduction (totalling approximately 2 077 000 Estonian kroon or 133 000 EUR) will be compensated to local municipalities through the state budget. The local municipalities concerned have been informed of the land tax amendments related to the protection rules of protected areas within the process of Environmental Impact Assessment concerning the draft protection rules and zoning of the protected areas. Protected areas have been divided into areas with different protection regimes - protection zones - with the aim of preserving the diversity of species, habitats and landscapes. Different restrictions to economic activity are applied in different zones. For each protected area, those restrictions are established with the protection rules. The restrictions established with protection rules provide the basis for land tax reduction in the extent stipulated by law. For additional information please contact: |
