The Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia proposes to transfer the authority to rent out forest areas to the federal level

As the press office of the Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz) reports, the bill proposes a phased transition to the provision of forest areas from the forestry fund lands by an authorized federal executive body, including for purposes of implementation of priority investment projects in the forest sector. The bill also suggests the development of a mechanism for providing raw materials to domestic enterprises engaged in value-added wood processing.

The agency added that the draft federal law has been prepared in the framework of the implementation of the instructions of Vladimir Putin and in accordance with the action plan for decriminalization and development of the timber industry approved by Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko.

It is supposed that the provisions on forest area lease agreements for the implementation of investment projects in the forest sector will come into effect on January 1, 2022, and the remaining provisions – a year later, when the Federal Forest Information System (FGIS-LK) is launched and put into industrial use.