Order No. 339 of 1996 of the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding scientific and methodological support of the system of ecological expertise of the Ministry.

The Minister, for the purpose of more efficacious activity of the system of state ecological expertise of the Ministry, its scientific and methodological support, carrying out research of the problems concerning ecological expertise and valuation of environmental impact caused by economic activity, orders to nominate VNIIprirody the leading research institute in the field of state ecological expertise. Co-ordinating council on state ecological expertise, Department of state ecological expertise, Council on state ecological expertise of the Ministry, with the participation of VNIIprirody must issue expert opinion and provide for formal acceptance of the results of scientific research in the field of ecological expertise and valuation of environmental impact caused by economic and other types of activity.