Agenda Profile: Tiit Maran

The most pressing issue is the amendments to the Nature Conservation Act (Natura assessment), which are driven by the European Commission's infringement procedure. The political stance is strongly opposed to the state's long-term negligence, which has created a terrible standoff between landowners and the state. Although the amendment is considered necessary for reducing bureaucracy and ensuring legal compliance, there is strong opposition to approving the bill until the issue of compensating for the resulting injustice is clearly resolved. The political framework is heavily value-driven, focusing on restoring trust and ensuring justice.

The speakers demonstrate thorough knowledge of environmental law, particularly the European Union Habitats Directive (Article 6.3) and the procedures for assessing impacts on Natura 2000 sites. Technical terms are used, such as "forest notification," "strict conservation zone," "solid cubic meters," and "Strategic Environmental Assessment." The expertise also includes comparing the administrative burden and time required between a full-scale Environmental Impact Assessment and a separate Natura assessment.

The style varies: commission reports are formal, procedural, and fact-based, focusing on summaries of discussions and consensus decisions. Critical interventions, however, are extremely emotional and forceful, using rhetoric such as "unbelievably unfair" and comparing nature conservation to "cancer." Historical context (dating back to 2004) and stories from local landowners are used to emphasize the consequences of the state's inaction.

The speakers are active in the plenary session of the Riigikogu and in the work of the Environment Committee, participating in delivering presentations, submitting questions, and deliberating the draft legislation. Their modes of operation include hearing officials and ministers, as well as engaging interest groups (the Chancellor of Justice, the Private Forest Association, environmental organizations).

Strong criticism has been leveled against the long-term inaction of the state and politicians (including the former Secretaries General of the Ministry of the Environment), who failed to implement the Natura impact assessment following EU accession. The current draft legislation is being criticized for failing to address the resulting injustice suffered by landowners who have lost all trust in the state. The criticism is primarily procedural and political, stressing that this is damaging the reputation of nature conservation to the point of near-hatred.

The Environment Committee reached consensus on several procedural decisions (including placing the draft bill on the agenda, concluding the first reading, and appointing a representative). Nevertheless, the strong opposition to the substantive approval of the bill, coupled with the proposal to terminate the proceedings, demonstrates a lack of compromise on a crucial issue (compensation).

The focus is clearly directed at local forest owners and rural residents who live in Natura areas and have been directly affected by the state's inaction. Emphasis is placed on the conflict that has emerged between the state and people living in rural areas concerning restrictions on forest logging.

Economic viewpoints focus on reducing the administrative burden and bureaucracy through the simplification of the Natura assessment process. Emphasis is also placed on finding a balance between the needs of private forest owners and environmental protection, for instance, by regulating the volume of firewood harvesting. It is acknowledged that the state’s previous failure to act will end up costing the taxpayer dearly due to the necessity of compensation.

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The primary legislative priority is processing the draft Act amending the Nature Conservation Act and related legislation (known as the Natura Assessment) (Bill 610 SE). The speakers are critical supporters of the bill, demanding its suspension until the matter of compensating for unfairness has been resolved. A significant focus is also placed on reducing the administrative burden associated with processing forestry notifications in the future.