Published by Russian NGOs Forest Club
and Socio-Ecological Union Informational Coordination Center
N 34 (february 1999)
FIRST GROUP FOREST CASE CONTINUED - SUPREME COURT HOLDING GOVERNMNET
RESPONSIBLE
February 12 - RF Supreme Court considered appeal filed by NGOs and concerned
citizens on Government decrees transferring first forest forest areas into
non forest for inadequate use - landfill construction, flea markets, gas
stations, cottage construction etc.
First group forests is protected group of high environmental significance,
where all activities are restricted. Russian Land Code prohibits such
transfer, more over, all such projects are subject to state environmental
review. All these projects passed along without any review.
Part of the decrees were found illegal, other part was not considered
because, formally, appeal had already expired.
Supreme Court also addressed Government concerning its illegal decrees.
FAMOUS SPORT TEAM THREATENING PUBLIC PARK
On February 11 Moscow citizens of municipal district Rostokino addressed
Socio-Ecological Union. They are worried by attempts of famous Russian sport
club Spartak to claim area near Moscow Botanic Garden for stadium
construction, request for that ha been sent to Moscow Government.
The area that club wants to use for construction is centuries old park with
pond that still have flourishing water lilies in it in summers. This area
also belongs to specially protected Yauza river watershed territory.
MERRY - GO-ROUND - TABLE IN FEDERAL FORESTRY SERVICE
February 11 - Round table on forest use and payments for forest use was held
in Federal Forest Service premises, gathering Forestry service
representatives, forest industry, academics, NGOs and journalists.
Unfortunately, the whole setting more reminded of Forestry Service
press-conference or presentation of Forestry authorities, as several
journalists noted.
Parties were indicating their vision of current situation Russian forestry.
The organizers were optimistic stating that there are no real problems in
the field more problems would come from misunderstanding between interest
parties.
NGO representatives were not in that merry air about the issue expressing
they position on abundance of specific problems within Russian the forestry
concerning forest use and protection.
The major outcome of the session was obvious conclusion of necessity to
discuss important and disputable problems together more often.
PUBLIC PROTEST AGAINST AUCTIONING OF FIRST GROUP FORESTS
February 16 was marked by protest action taken by Rainbow Keepers, Moscow
Environmental Federation and Moscow Ecological Union before Forest auction.
They protested against selling first group forests for logging in Istra
district of Moscow Region.
Public was indignant of the practice when interested parties are not even
informed of the logging plans, forget the legal requirement according to
which such projects are subject to public hearings and environmental review.
CERTIFICATION WORKGRUOP ROUTINE WORK
February 18 - routine session of Russian initiative work group on voluntary
forestry certification was held. The discussion was on workgroup membership
broadening and organization of the group further work.
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