Forest Law No. IX-240

Lithuania Law on ForestsAs Amended 2001 THE LAWON THEAMENDMENT OFTHE FOREST LAW, OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA April 10, 2001, NR.: IX-240 155 ("ValHy'bee 2.lnI08''', NR.: 90·1872,1996, NR.; 11002507,1997, MR.: 90.2426,1990, NR.; 56-1542, 1999, NR.: 110-3203j2000, NR.: 111-3566) Article 1. New edition of the Forest Lawof the Republic of lithuania The Forest Law of the Republic of Lithuania shall be amended and Illlid down as following: LAW ON FORESTS OFTHEREPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA CHAPTER1 GENERALPROVISIONS ArtIcle 1. Purpose of the Law The purposeof the ForestLawIs to regulate reforestatton. protectionand use and to fonn the legal precondnions for the management of all ownership type forestsupon equal sustainable forestry principles. ensuring a rational use of the forest resources by sUpplying withthe Industrialmaterial, preservation of the biodiversity, Increaseof forestproductivity, Jandscape stabilityand env.lronment quamy possibiJlty to performthe ecological, economical and socialfunctionswithout Inflicting damageto otherecosystems. Article 2. The major definitions of the Law (1) Forest -a land area not less than 0.1 hectarein size covered with trees, the heightof which in a natura1slte In the mabJrity age 15not l.,ss1han :; metere, other foroat plonts 00 w,,11 elSthinned or vegetation-lost forest dueto the acts of natureor humanactivities(cuttingareas, burnt areas, clearings). Tree lines up to 10 metersof width in fields, at roadSides, waterbodies, in liVIng IIreas and cemeteries, singletrees and bushes, parts plantedend grown byman In urbanand rural ar8,-as are not definedas forec",. Th9 procedl'l"4CI for C1:I.r4. pmt~lt:'ln Anrt IlltA nf thAAA j"llJlIntinOlt lthAII hA AlttAhlll::hAti hy thA Mini!rtty of Environment. (2) Forest stand - part of forestwherethe storey'sstructureof woody forest plants Is even, with a predomination of a certain tree species. the vegetation is of similarage, having a common siteand It Isthe PlIrt whtoh diolingulohoo ibolf upon thooo orItOrill from n rby foroct parte. (3) Forest land - an area covered with forest (foreststands)and non- forest coveredareas(cutting areas,dead forest standareas, forest dearings. nursBIY areas, forest seed orchnrds,raw-material bushingsand plantations). Forestroads, forest block.technological and fire break lines, areascovered by timberstoragehouses andotherfOr8st-rtJIated tKIU1pml:lOt, recreation grounds, animal feed grounds, and land assignedfor afforestation Is ascribed to forest land as well. (4) Forest group - forest landareaswith similarbasic forest managementobjectivesand regimes. (5) Urban (olty) 'ores. - forests on the urban territories. (6) Forest parks - forest areas not less than 3 hectares usedfor Intensiverecreation with appropriate recreation equipment and infrastructure. (7) Forest rasources - non-cutforests. resin. stumpsand the resinous, tree bark, bast and birch-bark, sap, Christmastrees, otherdecorative forestmaterials, branches, twigs, mushrooms, nuts, berries, fruits, herbsand medicalmaterials, forest litterand leaves,and forestveg$tatlon. 156 Lithuania Lawon ForestsAsAmended 2001 (8) Non-cut forest - growing trees, dead-wood, windfalls, windbreaks andother noll-Cut woodyforest plants. (9) Forest estate - a forest landarea managed upon private or state ownership rights. (10) Forest owners - the state and the citizens of the Republic of Lithuania which,obtained the ownership rights for forests uponthe procedures set forthbythe law. (11) Forest governors - forest enterprises. administrations of state strictnature reserves, administrations of national parks, municipalities, other stateenterprises andorganisations posseSSing the torest governance rightprovided by the Government uponthe procedures set forth by the I.aw. (12) Forest usar6 -legal and naturalpersonshaving obtained forest andforest resourceuse right following the procedures set forth by this Law and otherlegal acts. (13) State forest officers - officersof state forestgovernance and stateforest control institutions, forest protection staff offorestenterprises having the powersestablished by the Law. The list of offices of the state forestofficers shallbe approved by the Ministryof Environment. (14) forett enterprises - state enterprises QO\I9fTlIng and using sta\em~ upon \M~~~r~ basis and disposing themupon the procedures set forth by the Law and performing complex forestry activities and other activitiesdefinedunderthe statutes of the forest enterprise. (15) TheGeneral State Forest Enterprls. under the Ministry of Einvlronment - eeonornlc administration institution of state fOrests ascribed to the forest enterprises whichorganisesand co ordinatesreforestation, maintenance, proteelfon and forest resourceuseof these forests. (16) Complex forestry activities - activities, covering reforestation, maintenance, protection, rational use of feroct roCOUI'C"D 'lind t~dlil' In timhAr .:lind fnMAt rAlllnlll'f'.A!I:. (17) Forest management planning - forestryplanning system covering forest inventory andrecording, analysis of forestcondltlon, use and economic actMtlesand forestry organising and development project preparation. ArtIcle 3. Forest groupsJ objectives of economic activttles and regime (1) Forests aredivided into groupsupon the objectives of the economicactivities, Uw~lr regimeand the major functlonal purpose. (2) Group I - striCt reserves forests.Theseare the strlctreserves and smallstrict reservesforests on the tenitories of state strictnature reS8N8S. state parks andbiosphere monitoring territories. Oblective of economicactivities - to preserve the forestsfora natul8l growth. Forest cuttings, except for the cases defined under tho Low on Protected Areas and the Regulations of strict natura rfISA!"1t'1s. are not made. (3) GroupII - forests of specialpurpose, split into thefollowing: 1) A - ecosystem proU;!cOon forests. Landscape. te\mologlc, pedologic, botanical. forestgenetic, zoological, botanklal-1DOIoglcal reserves and reserves of these types in nationalparks andbiosphere monitoring territortes. tores1& wfth protected natufa\ resource areas. an\i--eros\on ando\he1' fo\'e1nt,. ObjectiveofeconomiC activitieS - to preserve or testoreforestecosystems or separateecosystem components. Forests damaged by the naturalcalamitIeS or biotic factors, forest l~tandS ofpoor sanitarycondition shaH be cut by non-dear or clearsanitarycuttings. The forest standswhich reached the naturalmaturitycan be cutby final non-elear CtJ11itIgs; 2) B - recreational forests. Recreational forestscovertorest parks, urban (city)forests. forests of l'9CfQtion zones of the state pa~s, f6Cf9ational forestareas andother~ rlet1n&d toT~n. Ohjd\f9 of economic activities- to formand preserve the recreational forest environment. Forest standsdamaged by thenaturalcalamities or biotic factors and forestsUlnds of poor sanitaryconditIOn shall be cut by non-clear or clear sanitarycuttings. The foreststandswhich reac:hed the natural maturitycan be cutby final non-d&arcuttings. All types of forest thinning. sanitaryand landscape formation cuttings are allowed. Cuttingsshall be performed after the recreation seasonexceptfor the forest stands damaged by 'he natuf8\ cauwnmes. or DIOt\C tactooi. Lithuania law on ForestsAsAmended 2001 . --. .- 157 (4) Group111- protective forests. Thesaare the forasis In the termortes of geological. geomorfological. hldrographlcal, and cultural reserves. reserves of thesetypesin the state pari<s and biosphere monitoring territoriA!'l. fnl'9sf!;: of protaction zones and other fnrA.<l.b: nhJeclive of ecor'Iomic ~ICtiVities - to form productive foreststands. capable of performing the functions of prote<;tion of soils,air,water andhuman livingsurroundings. Non-clearandsmall-area {up to 5 hectares} clear -cutcuttings, forest tending and sanitary cuttings permitted. (5) Group IV - economic (commercial) foreatt. These ar9 t.he forests not ascribed to I-ill group.'1 Objective of economic activities- to form productive forest stands and supplywoodcontinuously following environment protection requirement. All typesof cuttings parmlttad. Clearcuttingareasshallnotexceed 8 hectares. (6) Thtlljanllary c1tlar-cutllng arees at II. III, and IV group of forests shall not be limited. (7) certain parts ofthe forest reserves maybe ascribed to dIfferent forestgroups. followingterritoty planning documents. (8) ThQprocodure and regulations for forest ascribing to certain groups:shall ba defined and perfonned by the Government uponthe proposal of the Ministryof Envlronment. Article 4. Forest ownershIp rights and forests. 01 slate sJgnmca~ (1) Forests canbelong to the stateorcJtlzens of the Republic of Lithuania uponthe right ofownerstlip. The stateownership predominates in the forestsof the Republicof Lithuaniauponthe forestareas. (2)The state forest canbeleased for recreation. huntlng or otherpurposes by till' GO'IBrnm&fl\ or its authorised institution except for the cases r8lated toorganising of economic activities. (3) Privateforestestatesshallnotbe split IntopartsIf theestateequalsor Is belowthe sizeof 5 hectares. (4) The forests of state significance belong to the Republic of lithuania on exclusive ownershiprights. The forests of state slgniricance are: 1) forests of the state strictnaturereserves. statepark. strict reserves and smallstrict reseIV8S, ,he Kursiu netija (Curonlan Spit) National Park forests; 2) urban (city) forests; 3) state forest nurseries and seed orchards : 4) forestsbelonging to the objects of forestscientific research and training, seedbreeding and selection the areasof whichare approved by the Govemment; 5) state forestbeltsWith the width of 7 Jan at the BalUe sea ana the Curonlan Spit having no ownership rtgltts restitUted upon the Law on Restftutlon of the CitizenOwnership Rights for the Remaining Real Estate Property; 6) other fol'ASfsaGCribed to the forestsof statesignificance upon decisions of the Government. (5) The Govemment orthe Ministryof ~nvironment authorised by the Government possesS9s \he r\ghts andobligations of the stateforest owner. (6) The stateforests ara managed upon the property-eonfide basis by forestenterprises. administrations of statestrtd nature resetVBS. admlnlstra\ions of national parQ, munk:lpali\les. D1her &tatel:tflt6rpri~ and organisations possessing the forestmanagement right provided uponthe procedures setforthby the Law. Arlh.Je 5. atoto mena80mcnt of f ete ."d ouporulc.l...n "" ImplAmAntatlon of thll Forest Law (1) The stateforestrypolicytrendsare defined by Seimas (Parliamentof the Republic of Lithuania) by adopting l!lpproprlate laws. (2) The state forestrystrategyandstate forestry programmes are prepared by the Ministryof Environment. The Ministryof Environment, during the perfOrmance Ofthe state forestry i:Idmlnitiuaiion runctlon8; 158 Lithuania Lawon Forests As Amended 2001 1) organiSes forest!)'strategyand stateforestry development programmes preparation; 2) org~nises forestcoverageincrease, forestgeneticfund, landscape and blOdivel'$ity preservation, selection and sGed breeding. forest resource use.and other programme project preparation and co ordinates the implementation of theseprogrammes; 3) prepares draftsof iegal acts on the forestry Issues: 4) organises and co-ordinates the inventory of all forestsof the country, preparatiOl1 of forest management projects, co-orelnates forestmonitoring; 5) organises the state accounting of forestsandtonnation of the ForestStateOadasterof the Republic of lithuania; 6) prepares annualfOrest cuttingnormproj9CtS for state forests; 7) organises the International co-operatlon related to the forestry sector. (3) TheStateEnvironment Protection Inspection andIts territorial forestcontrol divisionsperform condition, U$El', reforeatatlon and pro1.eetion control fuoctionG fQraUforeBW of the ¢Qunt(y. 1) controls the observance of the Lawon Forests and performs the state control function of all ownership type forestcondition, use, reforestation, and protection: 2) iSiluca permissionsfor forest cuttingfor the stateforestgovernorsandprivate forest owners upon fueprocedures ~eflned by1heMinistryof Environment; 3) controls forest management workquality; 4) consults privateforest owners on the issues of forest use,reforestation, maintenance, and proteclion. (4) Refomstatlon, maintenance. protection andforestresource use is 0f981'\sed and CCt-Otd\rni\ed b'l the General State ForestEnterprise underthe Ministry of Environment. TheGeneral Staie ForestEnterprise undQr the Ministry of Environment duringtheperformance of Its functions: 1) actsas the founder(establisher) of the forestenterprises andco-ordinates their activities; 2) establishes lhe obligatorynormsfor forestenterprises for reforestation, protection and management wor1<s; 3) organises the generalstatefire-emergency and sanitflryforestptotection syst(~m; 4) organises andco-ordinates reforestation, protection, management and forest resourceuse In relation to progressi\le techno\Ogles. (5) Private forestsare reforestated, managed and usedby privateforestowners followingthe Law on Forests as wellas Regulations on Management and Useof PrivateForests and other legal acts regulating the forestmanagement approved by the Government or the Ministry 0 Environment ~uthorlsed by the Government taking Into regardproposalsof privateforestownerorganisations. Private forestownershave the rightto jointintoassociations and co-aperaUVes uponthe p«x:eduralS &El\ tOOh b'J tn. Low,~n entefprlses and organisations. The state shall promote andsupportprivate forestry development, private forest owners self-governing organisations Wh/Ch provideconsulting and economic ac.."tiVities for private forestowners. Forestownersco-operatives shall have the statusofagricultural co-operatives. Article 6. Rights and obligations of the state forest officers (1) Thestateforestofficersshallhavethe rightto: 1}posses and wear established typesOfuniforms and dlstlnctlvtt lDkemii 2) stopvehiclescanylng timberand otherforestprodumion, c\"ied(. the documena of originof timber or otherforestproduction carriedby thesevehldes, andalso, in case ofsuspicion for illegalobtaining ofthig produetkln. clIACk thA personal documents of the carrying vehicles, use forced stopping measures'of transporting vehicles; Lithuania Lawon Forests As Amended 2001 159 3) demand certifications fromlegaland natural persons regarding the obtaining and usaof the femst resources, andin case of theirabsence - demand written or spoken explancltlons for actions related to the use of forest resources; 4} to take overthe illegally obtained timberandother' forest production from tile transgressors, poach accessories and other material evidence of 1ransgresslons upon procedures set forthby the Law; 5) to bringthetransgressors to policeheadquarters or intothe municipality premises of alderman offiOOB in rural oreas for Idontlfication of pOrBOnalitJoB, writing of protocols and acts; 6) stopor prohibit lUega! economlc activitiesin forestestates If theseactivitiesinffingethe Law and requiremems set forthby otherlegalacts andwhendamage toforest is made; 7) conclude adminlstrationsl Infringement protocols uponthe procedures set forthby the Law. impose administrative penalties for Infringements of this Lawandinfringements of th" requirements of other legal actsdefined underthe Admlnistrath'e LawInfringement Code; 8} posses, carry, andusefiraanns andspecial accessories upon the procedures set forth by Firearm and Ammunltlon Control Law and other IGlWG in callO of InfringomGlnto dGlflnod undor Arllclo 6, Port :2 of this LaW. In caseof refusal to fulfil the legitimate demands of the officer, the clfficer shall have the right to use compUlsion, but as far as It shallappearnecessary for the fulfilmentof his officialduty, andonly afterall posslbfe persuasive or other means were inefficient; 8) tr1t' state fOrel:i1 IJfJICtlIlI BhtIII iillsu hi:lvtll UUlI:lf .iyhll:t pluvlr;.!tIIJ lIy lilt! LllIw. (2) The stale forest Officer shallhavethe right to usephysical compUlsion, specialmeans or flrearms when it is r&lated With theexecution of his duties durtng forest protection: 1) when prolClCling himself or other porsons from sxQ9ss or directly threatening danaer to the Ilfs or the health; 2) duringdetention of transgressors or persons convicting crimes who avoiddetention actlvely and when it appears impossible to detain'them otherwise, and alsoin caaes when suchpersons refuse\0 fulfil a legitimate demand to lay down flrearma or othor objoota able to damogG a human when it appearsimpossible to disarm such persons otherwise; 3) In caseof attempts to take overthe firearmsand when it is rep'&! attackofprotected objects If its Is life-threatening. (3) It Is prohibited to usephysical compUlsion or special accessories andfirearms againstwomen if it Is obviousthat theyare pregnant, and against otherpersons if it is obvious that they are d!sabled, under· agedwhen their ageis known to the officeror whentheir appearance correspondl~ totheir age, exceptfor caseswhen they resists Ina 11f&- or health-thl'88tenlng wayor in caseof attacksofgroups of suchpersons whensuchattaclisare"fa- or healfu.threa1enlng. It is prohibited to usefirearms at publlCiJamering places if there is a threat of damaging of others. (4) Stateforest officers andforestenterprise employees shallnot havethe right towork: on a hiredbasis. ba establishers or participants (shareholders. members. interest holders, ete.) of 1~){J81 persons, private timber preparation, woad procas$Ing, timber andwood trade andhunting saMes l:ompanies andperform other activitiesprohibited by the Law. (5) The tasks, funeti(lns, anddutiesof the stateforestofficers shallbedefinedby the Regulations of the Stllte Forest 0ffI0e1'6. The regulations shall be approved by the Government Article 1. Economic regulatIon of state forestry (1) Forestenterprises act upOn the Lawof Stateand Municipal Enterprises, perfonncomplex forestry activities mstate forests, sellready-made forest production, non-cut forestsand prOVide services upon procedures established by The Government or the Ministryof Environment authoriiled by the Government. TakingInto regard the capital afforest enterprises,land and forest shall not be included intoaccounting in terms of value expression. 160 Lithuania Law on Forests As Amended 2001 (2)Obligatory 5 per cent deductions shall be calculated to thestatebudgetrevenues fromforest enterprise incomes for the raw material timberan non-cut forests soldas defined underprocedures established by the Government for meeting oflOO general forestry needs.These dliductlons shall be lncludtld Intoslaltl bUdijtlt reVfJnU8S amI shall 00 used for financing of Ihtl SptWial (3eoorl:ll For68lry Nlftldtl Financing Programme (forestInvenlory, accounting, preparatlon of state forestmanagement projects, organising andmaintenance of common independent on forestownership rights statefire-emergency system, liquidation of naturalailamlty damages or pestsource liquidation, forest sc.~ence and proiectlng works, consultation and training of private forest owners, establiShment of private fl)r&st owners organisational structures, organising of foreSt propaganda, for programmes Implemented by forestry servicing organisations as well as financing ofotherforestry needs). Artlc;;lo 8. Vlalta of peraoll6 at foreata (1) PhyslC81 persons shall havethe right to visit forests freely. except for forests of Irlrict nature reserves andspecial purpose objects (border zones, military objects, or similar) and forestswhereit shallbe limited by the law. VIsiting personscan gatherfruit, medical herbsandmedical materials, exceptfor the plant 5p6C1011, tho Ihit of whkohis approved by the Mlnl8by of Environment, <;40 gather nula, borrio5, and mushrooms, keepbeeS in state forests keeping them in hivesand bee-coops following this Law, Lawon Environment ProtectIOn and requirements of otherlegal acts. (2) Uponthe applications of the executive municipality Institution forestenterprise, ntatepa~ adminiStraUons, andprivateforest owners, ana In CIty forests- wttnout such applications, In the presence of important reasons (big forestfire emergency threat, forestcuttlngs, specialised economic activity areas, protected obt8ds, necessityto -presetVe forest. tesOutces, fofElSt~, and e1e.) '4is\\t, \t>~ ~\ea\ persons forestor use of medical herbs, mushrooms, beniesandother forest resources can be prohibited or restricted. (3) Visits to forestsand useof fOrest resources In protected areasis regulated by the law of Protected AreasandRegulations of Protected Areas, approved by the Government or the Ministryof Environment authorised by the Government. (4)The forestareas of prohibited orrastrlcted visiting shall be indicated by infonnation signs builtby forest governors, owners or U$el'$. CHAf'TERII FOREST USE ArtIe'. 9. Obligations of the fQrest governors, owners, and users (1) Forests shallbe manageduponthe principle of sustainable usaensuring a continuous supply of timber andotherforestresources andpreserving annual or periodical balance betweentho timbergrowth and its usevoluma. (2) FOfOtitgovemora, ownora, lind UaCll'8 obligato to protoct foreGts from fires, pests, diseases and other negative factors, to I'8forestate the cutforestIntimeand In a propermanner, to USEl forests In suchways whichwould decrease the negativeimpactto the environment, to performrational economlc activities on forest land(Inforest). to maintain the soilproductMty, preserve the blofoglcal diversity, follow lawsand requirements defined by otller legalacts. (3) Theforestusersobllgateto arrange dSimaged forestareasduringthe forestuse in sucha way to be suitable to useupontheir purpose, to usethe forestroads, drainage systemsand oiher technological units with carewithout infringing the rights andlegalInterests of forestgovernors, ownel"$. andotherusers. (4) Forestgovernors and users in stateforestsshall followthe Regulations 00 Non-Gut state Forest Allotting aodMarl<etif1g. TheseRegulations shallbe adopted bythe Government. Tl1e timberproducers in state forests shatlcut andtake out the produced wood upontermsidentified in fore~;t useperrnlsslons, induding extended lenns. Forest cutting and produced wood takeout terms may be ~nded up to 6 months upon TeqU8Sts of tin'lW produce"". 1'M 00\ UmOOf tindTI~'\ekon w\ 'ffOQ(j, d\m~ \\w. def.v.ed tenns shallbe transferred to the forestgovernor's propertyupon a gratuitous basis.Thesettings of forest cuttingandproduced wood takeout termare defined underthe RegUlations on Non-eut StateForest Allottingand Ma~etlng. 161 (5) Forestownersshall follow this law, the Regulations on Management and Use of PrivateForests and other legalacts as well as the obligatory forestmanagement projectparts to be implemented, l.e, final cuttingdecadenorms, reforestation andenvironmental requiremen~, (6) It is prohibited to perfonn cuttings or use otherforest resources without havinga permission issued upon established procedures when suchpermissions are necessary upon legal acts in force. (7) Privateforest owners shallprovide Information and statistical data 800m forestryactivities Intheir estates to tht:t Ministry of Environrnenlllnd the Department of' Statkitlc5. (8) RoundwOOd measuring, accounting, andmarkingprocedures shall be established by the Ministry of Environment. ArtIcle 10. The right of forest governors, owners and users to use forests and forest resources (1) Ownersofprivateforests attainthe righttouse forest afterreceiving e documentconftrrriing \he ownership of the land plot. Regulstions on Management and Useof PrivateForestare approved by the Government, takIng IntoCDl151deraUun thtll pruposallj of private foresl owners organisations. (2) Forestgovernorsand usersshalt havettIe right, as established by the Government or the Ministry of Environmentau\hor\8ed by it, to useforestsand forest resources (timberandother forest reSOlJrces preparedforscientffic research, training, bee-keeplng, pasturing of domesticanlm'lls. protectlon of natural complexes andother purposes In compliance wIUl the Law). Intile casesdefinedtinder theseprocedures, the right for timb&r andotherforest resource preparation shaU be attainedaftw f6C6ivlng permisslons 0( appropriatefoIms. This Tight expires In caseof deathof the person havingthe pennlsslon, after reorganisation or liquidation of a Il!tQal person when the pennlssion expiresor when the pennission Is tr8CilUld ali Invalid uponthe elltabllBhed procedures. {a)1'he t\Qh\~ 01' form 9O"erMra..~. aM~~~~ \'Ml \..a.IH. Thtl~mtrtt\gQd 6ha\t be restituted, and the damages Inflicted shallbe compensated uponthe procedures defined underthe law and other legalacts. Therightsof the forestgovernors, owners, and users may be limited uponthe procedures definedunCl8r the laW for the Interests of the weililty, envlronmenlil.l purpcees, or foroal protection, Artiel.ii. Conv9rsion affomst lands fntc» other purpose lands (1) The forest landsmaybe converted Into other purposelands in exceptional caeesonlyconcordant to the interests of the state, forest owners, end society uponthe procedures establish<ad by the Government. (2) Forestcuttingfor thetechnological andproduction forestrypurposes (prepaNiltlClll of nurseries, consnuceon Ofthe forestroads, nrtJ breakDOh, lechnologkial ctoarin~, reGRlatiOn groundsand construction of timberstoreges, digging of sand or graveluponthe procedures established. and etc.)shall not be treatedas forest landconwrsion Intoother purpose lands. ArtIcle 12. Forest land draining and fertilising, road construction on forest lands (1) Forestdrainage.fertilising and use of poisonous chemical substances in forest landshallbe performed in compliance to the Law on Environment Protect]on andapplicable legal acts. l2) Forest land drainage systems pnd fortllll roads. liIxlonding over tho forest,,:stama of several foreet owners or governors shallbe maIntained andrepairedbythe governors, owners or usersof theseestates upon the procedures defined by theLaw. Forestdrainage system maintenance works shall be perfonned and forest roadsshaD be constructed fromthe resources of the fore$\ governors. owners, USlHS, l1lulli~lpilllltio~, I'U>ad rUl'ld", Clnd from othor rocoul'<!Oa, 162 Lithuania Law on Forests As Amended 2001 CHAPTER /II STATE FOREST CADASTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA AND FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT A.rtl~14 l' ~ ~JItA forAR. Invontftty and fftl'lllu MQlafAr (1)Theobiective of the state forestinventory and forestregister- to evaluate the forest resources their quality, provide information aboutthe natural andeconomic condition of forests. StateforestinventOry is performed atau forest~. Thestate lllventoryperformed at forestenterprises. statestrict nature rellelVes and statQ parts not only InctudM fnrest l'6gis1ef, buf state-owned non·farest land(agricultural land, water, ete.) as well. (2) Tile norHOrest landcovered by naturallygenerated trees shall be inventoried dun"9 the PI'OCQSS of forestmanagi'Bnent and c\uded Intor&glster asforest uponthe procedutes definedby the Ministry of Environmont and the Minlotry of Agrloulture. (3)ThestateforestiflventOYy specialists sha" have the rightto enter $IIforestestates,perform inventory works andf8C6h!& necessaryInfonnation for theirperfonnance. (4) The state Inventory In th9 Republic of Lithuania shall be performeduponthe selection method. It is purposed forstrategicptannlngof theforest sector upon the state level. Forest compartment hwentory is performed for organising of the forestryon the levelof forest estates andfor preparation of forest management projects. (5) Stato foroot Invontory and foreatregister procedures, thelr content and perlodic\ly shall he defined bV the Ministryof EnVironment. (6) Forestregister shallbe managed and statecadssterof the forestsof the Republicof Lithuania shallbe preparedusing the state forest Inventory data. This cadaster covers the sum of total data about far6s\s. their OWflel'5hlp, torest JlJ5OUrco quantltios. thoir que11ty, and economlo valuo. The Ctmt~ntsof the!cadaster and its compilatIOn procedures shall be definedby the Government. (7) The state forestinventoryand registerin slatlH>W1l00 and private forestsshall be performed from\he state resources. TheInventoryand register datashallbe provided to forestownersand governors upona f,.of-charge basis defined upontheprocedures orthe Ministryf Envlronmunt. Fortlliil compartments inventory andforestmanagement project preparation sna"be carriedout fromthe statefunds and funds of forest governors and owners. Article 14. Forest management proJllld (1) Forestmanagement project - a dooornent of special territory planning upon Which foresflyis organised, reforestation, use and forest landmllnagement worKs performed. Forestmanagement projects are prepared for all forest est9tM Fnrallts shan be managed. used andreforested lIpan forestry managementprojects. (2)Thefollo'Ning types of forest management projects are distinguished: 1) forest I'1\8f18gem&llt schemes- prepared forforest governors and region territories, andare purposed for defining of the general forest landusepolicies, preparation of meir management concepts; 2) interiorforestmanagement projects - prepared for forest governors and privateforestestates and are purposed for defining of conCMte management mean system. (3) Forest management projectsshallbe prepared upon 1he project preparaUon regulations and methodology andcriteria defined in themapproved bya government.authorised institution. Thecomposite forest management projectparts shallbe the following: 1) the background - shall coverthe existing situation of land use, prot:ecuo~, annTOTeSt~geU~\\\ problem analysis, evaluation of previous results of forestmanagement project Implementation. and the forecast of social and economic needs; 163 2) projectpart. coversthe Issues ofsolution preparation forthe planned tomsl territory usaobjectives and management concept (forest management schemes) or management meanschemes (Interior forestmanagement projects); 3} concJusion- covers planning document solutionresultforecasting, discussIon, compliance and apPl"O\Isl. (4) Ministryof Environment, takingIntoregard the size offorest estate, defines the contents of forest management project and otherIndicators, as well as torest standscutting age at all forests. The nnal forestcuttings shall be performed at matureor over-mature forests, and Inmaturing forests Incases definedInUteregulation for theseeuttlngs. lntermed\ate forest cuttings shallbe perfonned for the purpose of fOl'9St stands. procIuctl\lity Increase, improvement of the forest sanitarycondition, preservation of the biological diveralty, UlJQ of the timber reoouroea. forest stand rooonBtructiOn and other pUI'pOSCl$ defined underother legal acts. The annual forestcuttingnann for final forest cuttings shall be defined for each forest governorand ownerupon the methodology approvedby the Ministryof Environment (5) The annualforest cuttingnormsfor state forests are approved by the Government The annualforest cutting norm IIhall nat be ~ded. Ut;ept (ur the Cil58l:i ur nalural calamitlea when driDd-op, faUert, broken, burntorotherwise damaged foreststands volumemakesup morethan on quarterof the annual cuttingnorm.The total annual narmof all types of forest cutting In the countryshallnotexceed the annual timber growth. (5) The VOlumes of Inteml&aiate forest cuttings at stateforestshall De mabllshsc! by the Ministry of Environment. (7) The forest governors, possessing morethan 500 hectares afforest, shallnot exceed the annual major forest cuttingnorm. In caseof the naturalcalamitiesand when this normwas not ImplementEtd during the proceeding years catcula11ng fromthe yearof Its approval, the annualfinal forest cutting normmaybe increased upon the procedures established by the Ministryof Environment. Otherforestgovernors and ownersmaydeviatefromtheannualfore6tCt!tting norm withoutbreaching of the requirements of forest cuttingregulations, but shall followthe decadeforestcuttingnorm. (8) The forest management projects shan be preparedandforest inventory sha\\be pert'0TTfIed~ na\uf&\ and tagalpersonsuponthe procedures defined by the Ministryof Environment. FI)lIowlng these procedures, the forest management data Is acctJmulated and managed in a centmllsed way, forest management projectsare prepared. co-ol'dlneted and approved. CHAPTER IV· REFORESTATION. GROWING AND CUmNG ArtIcle 15. Retorestadon and afforestation (1) Forests shallbe reforested by theirgovernors, ownersand usersfromtheirown resoorc8S. {2} The forestcoverage of the territoryOfd1eRepUblIC of LithUania shall be increalied uponthe procedures established by the Lawandother legalacts regulating the establishmElnt of forests In non forest lands. (3) Forests in non-forest landsshall be planted following the procedures establlshud by the Ministry of Environment andthe Ministry of Agriculture from the statefunds and the funds of forestgovernors and owners. (4)When forestsare planted in non-forest terTitories uponthe procedures es\ab\$\'\ed by '\helr:m,~ law of Forests shall apply to these areas. (5) Forestshallbe artificially reforested in clear - cuttingareasand burnt areasnot later thanwithin three yearsafter their origin. Theforestshallartificiallybe reforested uponthe ecological basis,according to Regulations on reforestation, approved by the Ministryof Environment. The state forestofficers may prot1ilJll Tullia:lr fUltl~l nllal lOVltinga tin tho Gut foro"t be roforootod. Exooptiono ohall bo OVQiloblo in ca'UlC when blg-sizeforest areasare lost due to the naturalcalamities. 164 Lithuania Lawon Forests As Amended 2001 (6) Reforestation and afforestation also covers forest stand reconstruction, supplementation of forest plantings and care and protection urn" youngstand Is formed. Lost forest p\antings sha\!be reforested not laterthan within two years. Article 16. Growing and cl.lttlng of forest stands (1) Thepurpose of the foreststandgrowing and care means is to form productive fore9ts complying tothe corn:Iltions of forestsue by givinga priorityto the local treeandotherplantspecies, mixed forestplantings andmixedforest stands. Theforest standgrowing and careregulating means ali well as final and intermediate forestcuttings are performed bythe norms andregulations approvod by the Ministry of Environment. (2) Forest thinning areperformed in non-mature forest stands for the increase of theirproductivity and stability andpreservatloo of the biological diversity. These forestcuttings regulale forestslanddensity and the specific composition. Thesanitaryforest cuttings are performed for maintaining and improving of the foresthealthiness. (3) Other cuttings, suchas cuttingsfor landscape forming, Implementation of the biotechnical means, preparation of thefirebreaklinesand places for thetechnological equipment, and otherpurposes, may also be performed. CHAPTER V FOREST PROTECTION Articre17. Forest protectfo,,! tasks Theforestprotection tasks include protection of forests and forestresources againstIllegal activities- self~ willed forestcutting, infringement of forestuseprocedures, plundering of forest resources, forestpollution, litt....rina. ttlr'lD on fi,.,.. tiamlliOA inflir.tAti hV thA r1nmAll.tlr. llInimRls A.1Il wall as orntectlnn of forests aoalnst the damage Inflicted by fores1: animals, fires. diseases, pests and other nalural ~am\tiu, mect\e.nical damage of forest soil and trees. Artlclo 18. Forost protection agolnet fire and natura' oalamltl.. (1)All forest, despite theirform of ownership, shall havethecommon system ohtate fire-emergency means created andmaintained includingcheck--ups. pmventlon andprtnec\km means.This common system ofstatef1re-emergency Is prepared andImplemented by the General Fomst Enterprise under the Ministry of Environment, forestenterprilles andstate parkadministrations togElthflr with rnuniclpalitiAs. Forest governors, owners, usersand visitors shall follow thefire-emergency protElctlon requirements approved by legal acts. (2) Forest anterpriseEi, state pafb, and munlclpali1les shallprovid& funds{or the t;Qmt'!\tm 'lrtate«r. emerg4:lncy check~up and nil'extinguishing 5)'8tenl in all foroat estetoa. Fontat govomora and ownora shall Implement thtl preventive flrHmergency protection means (installation of fire break lines and bonfire places, cleaning of littered forest, etc.) fromtheirown resources. (3) In caseof thenat\Jral calamities, the Ministry ofEnvironment hasthe rightto establish special protective and calamity consequence liquida\\Oll means wniCn ",all be ODIigatOl"l to all forest governorlS, OwnelS, andusers. Artlclo 19. Forest protectfon against diseases and pests (1) Forest governors, owners, anduserssl1all follow forest sanitary protection requirements established by legal eels, to transport th& coniferous timber outof forestduring established periods, or protect properly this timber left in forestagainstpests. Forest governors. owners, andusersshall informforestenterprises end aGtopork administrations about the sources of tree disElBses and pests. (2)Bigpestanddisease sources shallbe localised andliquidated fromresources of the state,forest governors andowners. Lithuania Lawon Forests As Amended 2001 165 Article 20. Forest protection against domestic and wtld animals (1) Pasturage of domestic animals In stateforest landsIs prohibited, except forthu eeses defined by the Ministryof Environment. Animal pasturage in privateforests is prohibited in cuttin'j areasand youngforest stands under 20 years of agA (2) The numberof hunted animals In the forest landsshallbe maintained such as "10 guarantee the stabmty of ecosystem. During \:he regolstion of an\ma' number 1n forests, the requirements of the law on Environment Protection andother legalacts shall be followed. ArtIcle 21. Forest protection against pollution Forestprotection againstpollutfon. permissible pollution andcompensation for the damage inflicted on forestsis established by the law on Environmet'lt Proteeuon and other legal acts, Lostor damaged forests shall be reforested from the resources of the damagers. and In caseon non-identification ofthe damagers- fromthe resources of state. forest governors and owners, andother sources. CHAPTI!RVI UABILITY FORINFRJNGEMENTS OF THE FORESTLAW ArtiCle 22. Uobmty Natural and legal persons who Inflicted the requirements of this Law shall be held liable upon the procedures established by the law. ArtIcle 23. COmpensaUon of damage Innlcted by Illegal aGtIDRliI (1) Naturaland legalpersonswhich Inflicted damage to the forests of forestgovernors, owners, andusers, and otherproperty. legal interestsofforest, as objectof environment, shall comperlsat8 the damage in fun. or, in case ofopportunny, to restorethe condition as it was beforethe infringement. Damage estimation procecures are e:sli:lbllshtKl by l.htI Law cllld ulhtll Itllyi:ll i:l1Oit1:i. (2) The right toof initiating a suitefor the damage inflicted by illegala~ons can be usedby: 1) forest govemors, owners, anduserswhoseforests, propertyor legal Interests suffered damage; 2) stateforestofficers, whenthe damage Is inflicted on forest, as Objectof environment. CHAPTER VII INTERNAnONAL CO..oPERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF LITHUANIA IN THE FORESTRY ArtIcle 24. International co-operation of the Republic of Uthuanla on the foree;try issues The Rapubllcof Lithuania. following principles of sustainable forest management, concludes international agreements on \heforestry issues,pa:rtidpates in the aclM1les 01' \.emat\ona\ {Of6\'>\ty ~at\<)r.$. ArtIcle 25. Application of the International agreements of the Republic of L1thf..lania Ir tne internatIOnal agreements of the Republic of Lilhul:Illlj;l definefore5tU56, roforntation andprotodlon requirements whichdifferentfrom this Law, the provisions ofthe international agreements shall apply. I, hereto,announce theapproval of this Law adopted by the Belmas ("Parliament) elf the Republic of Lithuanla PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBUC It' 1996-1001 LegalInformatioD Centre VALDAS ADAMKUS