President of the Russian Federation signed a law simplifying interactions between timber businesses and the authorities

The adopted law stipulates the implementation of a digital forest twin (FGIS LK, Timber Industry Federal State Information system) across the entire country starting from Q1 2024, Rosleskhoz reports. The electronic state timber register will be maintained electronically, and the time of reviewing industry-specific documents will reduce. This measure is supposed to enable forest users to start their projects’ implementation sooner.

According to the amendments made in the Timber Code, the transition to the state timber register across the country will be gradual and will consist of several steps. 3 regions will start maintaining the register in the new format in September, 10 more will join them in October, 20 in November, 30 in December, and major timber regions will transition in Q1 2024.

The law also stipulates that industry-specific public services shall be provided faster: an expert review of the Forest Land Use Plan will take 15 days instead of 30, and an expert review of the Reforestation Plan, 5 days instead of 15.