The Ministry of Natural Resources reported that it had prepared a draft law, according to which the powers to provide forest plots for timber harvesting for the implementation of priority investment projects are transferred to the federal level.

The bill provides for amendments to the Forest Code and certain laws in terms of improving lease relations.”

It is proposed to transfer to the federal level the authority to provide forest plots for timber harvesting for the implementation of priority investment projects in the field of forest development, to clarify the grounds for terminating lease agreements and the criteria for the good faith of forest plot tenants, and to bring existing forest plot lease agreements in line with approved standard agreements.

The document has already been approved by the Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. It is being prepared for adoption in the first reading.

Another initiative of the Ministry of Natural Resources in the forest sector is now undergoing the necessary approvals. It involves giving new powers to confiscate logging and logging equipment, which is a tool for illegal logging of forest plantations.