Rainer Vakra, who was announced as the next director of the Environmental Board on Thursday, told ERR on Friday morning that he promises to focus on raising environmental awareness, but considers the way the shoreline construction bill became public a communications blunder.
The State Forest Management Center (RMK) and the Forest and Wood Industry Association have said a last-minute decision by former Minister of the Environment Tõnis Mölder (Center) to reduce felling volumes deprived Estonia of some €230 million.
Although the Riigikogu has decided to go to remote sittings in November to curb the spread of the coronavirus, MPs are participating in face-to-face meetings and travel outside of Estonia.
A bill which would slash water body shoreline protected zones to 20 meters was signed by the new environment minister a week-and-a-half before taking office. The legal amendment, if it were to pass, would particularly affect Estonia's islands, where protected zones are 200 meters from the shore. Proponents of the bill say the current legislation is out-of-date.