This content is exclusively provided by FAO / FAOLEX

Act on Protected Natural Objects.

Country
Type of law
Legislation
Source

Keywords

Abstract
This Act establishes the procedure for designating protected natural "objects", the nature of the protection, and the rights and obligations of land-owners, land-holders and others with respect to those objects. Natural objects subject to being protected under this Act fall into three categories: protected areas (such as national parks, etc), protected natural monuments, or protected species, fossils or minerals. Natural objects may be publically or privately owned, but in either case they are accorded the same protection (art. 4). The Act specifically names national parks and Category I protected species. Other protected objects are to be designated in accordance with procedures to be established by the Government of Estonia (art. 5). The protection order will designate a manager for the protected object (art. 6), who has the duty of compiling a "Statement of Protection Obligations" (art. 7) that governs management of the object. Various restrictions concerning the use of real property within a protected area or containing a protected object are set forth in article 9, including an obligation on the part of owners to allow public access, a right of preemption and expropriation by the State, and restrictions on changes in land use without approval of the manager. Part II of the Act deals with Protected Areas, and defines different categories, such as strict nature reserves, special management zones, limited management zones, national parks, protected landscapes and others.
Part III pertains to Natural Monuments. Part IV deals with protected species, fossils and minerals, setting forth a general goal of preserving natural diversity. Category I species are accorded the highest level of protection and are specifically named in the Act. Damage to these species is prohibited. Lists for Category II and III species, fossils and minerals are to be established by the Government, and general rules regarding their protection and limited exploitation for certain purposes are set forth. Part V establishes the obligation by the government to monitor natural objects, and establishes a Nature Conservation Register. Part VI deals with expenditures and compensation issues. It provides for tax reductions where protective rules have restricted the economic use of land. Part VII deals with liabilities for breaching the Law, and provides for the payment of compensation into an Environmental Fund.
Date of text
Repealed
Yes
Serial Imprint
Unofficial translation from "Riigi Teataja", pp. 211-223.
Publication reference
FAL No. 44, 1995, pp. 445-448.
Source language

English

Legislation status
repealed
Legislation Amendment
No
Repealed by