Inquiry regarding the closure of the Endla Nature Centre (No. 815)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 6th Session, Plenary Sitting
Date: 2025-10-13 22:27
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 19
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 23m
AI Summaries: 19/19 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The agenda item concerned the interpellation by Riigikogu members Aivar Kokk and Priit Sibul to the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, regarding the closure of the Endla Nature Centre in Tooma. Interpellator Aivar Kokk expressed indignation that the nature centre, which had an annual cost of 80,000 euros, was closed without consulting the local community and municipality, while the state is spending 67 million euros on a new environment building being constructed next to the Seaplane Harbour in Tallinn. Kokk also inquired about the lost owner’s revenue of RMK (State Forest Management Centre) related to protected forests and the necessity of the new Tallinn environment building. Minister Andres Sutt explained that the closure of the Endla office was a result of the Environmental Board’s budget cuts (over 3 million euros), noting that the building (over 800 m²) had a low utilization rate, serving only two employees (who were transferred to the Jõgeva state building). Sutt emphasized that the construction of the Tallinn environment building was not the reason for the closure of Endla. He confirmed that RMK would continue to maintain the infrastructure of the nature area, and educational materials were distributed to local educational institutions. Sutt offered to present the exact financial data (Endla costs and rental costs of the Jõgeva state building) in writing. Aivar Kokk reiterated during the negotiations that the biggest problem was the failure to inform the local municipality and stressed the importance of the Endla centre for conducting nature tourism and training.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made
Most Active Speaker
Aivar Kokk, a member of the Riigikogu and the representative of the interpellators, was the most active, presenting the interpellation, supplementary oral questions, a follow-up question, and a speech during the debates.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller introduced the eighth item on the agenda—the interpellation submitted by Riigikogu members Aivar Kokk and Priit Sibul to Andres Sutt, the Minister of Energy and Environment, concerning the closure of the Endla Nature Centre—and invited Riigikogu member Aivar Kokk to serve as the rapporteur.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller introduced the eighth item on the agenda, which was the interpellation by Riigikogu members Aivar Kokk and Priit Sibul to the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, regarding the closure of the Endla Nature Centre, subsequently giving the floor to Aivar Kokk, who had been requested to present the matter.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk expresses indignation over the closure and subsequent sale of the nature center, a move undertaken without involving local municipalities or the community. He contrasts this paltry saving of 80,000 euros with the construction of a new 67-million-euro environmental building in Tallinn, and demands an explanation from the minister as to why regional needs and local interests were completely ignored in the decision-making process. He also added a question concerning the owner's revenue derived from state forest protected areas.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk expresses his dismay over the closure and sale of the Endla Nature Centre in Tooma. He criticizes the complete disregard shown toward the local community and municipalities, deeming the 80,000-euro saving trivial, especially considering that, simultaneously, more than 67 million euros are being spent in Tallinn on a new environmental building being constructed next to the Seaplane Harbour—funds that could have been saved to keep the Endla centre operational.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asks the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, to respond to the interpellation.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Arvo Aller requested that the Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, respond to the submitted query.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt addressed the role of the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) in nature conservation on state lands. He also clarified the reasons behind the closure of the Endla Nature Centre, emphasizing that it was a conscious decision driven by budget cuts aimed at saving maintenance costs for a rarely used building, ensuring that this closure does not restrict public access to nature. Furthermore, he confirmed that the Environmental Board has not paid performance bonuses, but has incurred moderate expenses (totaling nearly 98,000 euros) for employee motivation. This spending was necessary to maintain team morale and reduce staff turnover while the agency fulfills its mandated savings obligations.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
The Minister of Energy and Environment, Andres Sutt, defended the Environmental Board's decision to close the office of the Endla Nature Centre, explaining that it was an unavoidable step required to meet national budget cuts and savings obligations, as the building's maintenance costs were high and usage was low (only two people worked there). He emphasized that although the office was closed, access and infrastructure to the nature reserve (via RMK) are guaranteed, and educational materials were handed over to local institutions. He also clarified that the variable pay given to employees is related to substitution duties, not performance bonuses, and that the costs for motivational events are moderate and necessary for a dispersed team.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller announced that the audience had at least one question, and subsequently gave the floor to Aivar Koka to pose it.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk thanks the minister for the answers but draws attention to the fact that despite the rental request from the NGO operating in support of the Endla nature reserve, the State Real Estate Ltd (Riigi Kinnisvara Aktsiaselts) has decided to put the building up for sale. He simultaneously demands clarification as to whether the alleged cost of 82,000 euros was a utility expense and what the actual costs were for the two employees who worked in the state building.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk criticizes the decision by Riigi Kinnisvara AS (State Real Estate Ltd.) to put up for sale a building associated with the Endla nature reserve, despite the rental interest expressed by the NGO Endla Looduse Selts (Endla Nature Society). Furthermore, he demands an explanation of what exactly constituted the alleged 82,000 euro cost and whether that expense was related to utilities or the costs of the two employees who worked in the state building.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt promised to send the exact financial data in writing and emphasized that Riigi Kinnisvara AS (State Real Estate Ltd.) must evaluate the local NGO’s rental request and make a decision between selling or renting the property to prevent the building from standing empty, which is the worst-case scenario.
Energeetika- ja keskkonnaminister Andres Sutt
AI Summary
Minister of Energy and Environment Andres Sutt confirmed that the exact financial data and expenditures will be sent to interested parties in writing, and addressed the future of the state property, noting that the building standing vacant is the worst-case scenario and Riigi Kinnisvara AS (State Real Estate Ltd.) must make a decision regarding either selling or leasing the property.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the rapporteur, then opened the debate, and asked Aivar Kokk, the representative of the questioners, to take the floor first, noting at the same time that there was still one more question to be put to the rapporteur.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller thanked the rapporteur, clarified the format-based restriction on questions, and subsequently opened the debate, first giving the floor to Aivar Kokk, the representative of the petitioners.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk sharply criticized the state's decision to close the center in Jõgeva County—a facility with significant potential for training and nature tourism—without involving the local municipality. He stressed that the valuable building, whose construction costs had risen considerably, was left without any purposeful use. Furthermore, he demanded that the minister ensure a partnership between the state and local governments (KOVs) going forward, and find a solution that would prevent the fate of such expensive but underutilized assets from being decided behind closed doors in the quiet of a cabinet meeting.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk sharply criticizes the lack of cooperation between the state and local government regarding the closure and misuse of the expensive nature center (which cost nearly 70 million) located in the Jõgeva region, stressing that local authorities only learned about the situation through the newspaper. He demands that the minister ensure such decisions are not made behind closed doors, but that local governments are involved as partners of the state. Furthermore, he insists that a solution be quickly found that guarantees the building's original intended purpose (training, nature tourism in the Endla bog) and prevents further waste of taxpayer money.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller concluded the discussions because the minister did not wish to participate in them, and announced that the eighth item on the agenda had thereby been successfully completed.
Aseesimees Arvo Aller
AI Summary
Vice-Chairman Arvo Aller asked the Minister if he wished to participate in the discussions, then closed the debate due to the refusal, and announced that the eighth item on today's agenda had thus been completed.