Source: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/505072017001/consolide/current
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 15:10:52+00:00

Document:
19.06.2014 RT I, 29.06.2014, 109 01.07.2014, the ministers’ official titles have been replaced on the basis of subsection 107³ (4) of the Government of the Republic Act.
18.12.2014 RT I, 30.12.2014, 6 01.01.2015 – Chapter 5 will enter into force as of the entry into force of its implementation Act.
5) the prevention of damage to the environment and the remedying of damage caused to the environment.
The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to the administrative proceedings specified in this Act, taking account of the specifications provided for in this Act.
(1) ‘Environmental nuisance’ means a human-induced direct or indirect adverse impact on the environment, including impact on human health, well-being, property or cultural heritage via the environment. ‘Environmental nuisance’ also means such an adverse impact on the environment, which does not exceed a numerical limit or that has not been regulated by a numerical limit.
5) causing a significant adverse impact on an area of the Natura 2000 network of the European Union (hereinafter Natura).
‘Environmental risk’ means the possibility of occurrence of an environmental nuisance that needs to be reduced.
‘Environmental threat’ means the sufficient likelihood of emergence of a significant environmental nuisance.
(1) ‘Installation’ means a stationary or mobile technical unit where production operations are pursued or where an activity equal to, directly linked to or having a technical connection with production operations is pursued in an manner resulting in pollution or contamination.
(2) ‘Operator’ means a person who operates or possesses an installation, controls the operations thereof and is responsible for the technical functioning of the installation.
(1) ‘Emission’ means a substance, organism, energy, radiation, vibration, heat, light, smell or noise directly or indirectly emitted to air, water or soil.
(2) ‘Emission limit value’ means a mass, quantity, concentration or level of an indicator characterising emission, which must not be exceeded or in a specific period or in specific periods or within the limits of which one must remain in a specific period or in specific periods.
(3) ‘Limit value of the quality of the environment’ means a limit value established to the chemical, physical or biological indicator, which must not be exceeded for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment.
(4) ‘Pollution’ means the discharge of an emission in such a manner that it poses an environmental threat or an environmental risk.
(5) ‘Contamination’ means a significant adverse change of the quality of air, water or soil due to pollution.
Environmental protection measures must ensure high-level protection, thereby the integral protection of the environment must be ensured and the possible transfer of environmental impact from one environmental element to another.
Considerations ensuring a high level protection of the environment must be taken into account in guiding the development of all fields of life in order to ensure sustainable development.
An environmental threat must be prevented. An environmental threat or a significant environmental nuisance must be tolerated if the activity is required due to overriding public reasons, there is no reasonable alternative and required measures have been taken to reduce the environmental threat or the significant environmental nuisance.
(1) An environmental risk must be reduced to the maximum extent possible by taking appropriate precautionary measures.
(2) Upon making decisions regarding activities involving an environmental risk, the impact of the activities on the environment must be identified. Environmental impact assessment proceedings must be carried out in the events and in accordance with the procedure provided by law.
(1) Costs related to the assessment, prevention, reduction or remedying of an environmental nuisance, threat, risk or damage must be borne by the person who caused them, unless otherwise provided by law.
(2) A charge must be paid for the use of the environment in the events provided by law. A charge the rate of which is established on the basis of the principles of environmental protection set out in this division and the purpose of use of which is the contribution to the attainment of the objectives specified in § 1 of this Act must be paid for using the environment as a national wealth.
Renewable and non-renewable natural resources must be used economically, taking into account their natural replenishment and the availability of reserves for the longest time possible. Rates of use of renewable and non-renewable natural resources will be established in the events provided by law.
Everyone must, to a reasonable extent, take measures to reduce the environmental nuisance caused by their act or omission.
Before commencing an activity that will cause an environmental threat, everyone must, to a reasonable extent, acquire knowledge that, given the type and scope of the activity, is necessary for preventing the environmental threat.
(1) The operator must take required measures to prevent an environmental threat and appropriate precautionary measures to reduce an environmental risk.
(2) Before commencing an activity that results in an environmental threat or an environmental risk, the operator must acquire knowledge that, given the type and scope of the activity, is required for preventing the environmental threat or taking precautionary measures.
(3) The operator must avoid using such substances, mixtures or organisms that entail an environmental risk if these can be replaced with substances, mixtures or organisms that entail a smaller environmental risk.
The operator must use the raw material, natural resources and energy economically and, where possible, give preference to renewable energy sources.
(1) A person who plans on erecting an installation must, upon choosing the location, serve the purpose of reducing environmental nuisances to the maximum extent possible, above all, considered the sensitivity of the area towards the planned activity, the distance from the residential district as well as the former and possible purpose of use.
(2) The criteria specified in subsection (1) of this section must be taken into account also upon expansion of the operations of the installation or upon otherwise transforming the installation.
The operator must, to a reasoned extent, ensure the environmental protection training of the persons operating at the installation.
(1) The operator must immediately inform the Environmental Inspectorate or, in another event provided by law, another authority about a significant environmental nuisance arising from the installation.
(2) If the operator wishes to change the activity for which a permit has been granted to the operator and the change may result in a significant environmental nuisance, the operator must inform the issuer of the permit about the planned change well in advance.
Upon termination of the operations of the installation and thereafter the operator must ensure that no significant environmental nuisances occur.
The duties specified in this chapter must be performed insofar as it is reasonable.
(1) Everyone is entitled to expect that the environment concerning them directly meets the health and well-being needs.
(2) The environment concerns a person directly if the person often stays in the affected environment, often uses the affected natural resource or otherwise has a special connection with the affected environment.
(3) Upon application of subsection (2) of this section, the environment or natural resource that is likely to be affected is also considered the affected environment or natural resource.
(4) Upon assessing the compliance of the environment with the health and well-being needs, the rights of other persons, public interests and the characteristics of the region are taken into account. The non-compliance of the environment with the health and well-being needs is presumed if the limit value of the quality of the environment has been exceeded.
(5) To uphold the right specified in subsection (1) of this section, one can demand that the administrative authority spare the environment and take reasonable measures to ensure the compliance of the environment with the health and well-being needs.
(1) Everyone has the right to request public environmental information (hereinafter environmental information) by submitting a request for explanation on the basis of the Response to Memoranda and Requests for Explanations Act or a request for information on the basis of the Public Information Act or another act.
6) the state of human health and safety, including the contamination of the drinking water and food chain, and conditions of human life, cultural sites and built structures inasmuch as they are or may be affected by the state of the elements of the environment referred to in subsection (1) of this section or, through those elements, by any of the factors, measures or activities referred to in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
(3) The person who requests information does not have to reveal the purpose of requesting environmental information or otherwise reason the request for information.
(4) At the request of the person requesting information, the possessor of the information will explain the methods of gathering data and grant access to information on the methods of sampling and analysis.
2) the information has been supplied to the administrative authority on a voluntary basis without being under a legal obligation to do so and that person who supplied the information has not consented to the release of the environmental information.
(6) If the possessor of information has the right to refuse to release environmental information on the basis of law, the possessor of information must in every particular case, when deciding the release of the information, consider whether the interest served by the refusal outweighs the interest served by the release.
(7) If the document contained environmental information is being prepared, the details of the author of the document and the estimated time taken to prepare the document will be communicated to the person who requested the information.
(1) Upon emergence of an environmental threat as well as upon emergence of sufficient likelihood of occurrence of a significant adverse impact on the environment by natural factors, everyone who might be affected by the significant adverse impact arising from the realisation of the threat must immediately be informed by providing them with information that allows for taking measures that prevent or reduce the impact. Unless otherwise provided by law, the Ministry of the Environment is required to communicate the information.
(2) The information specified in subsection (1) of this section is communicated via broadcasting, printed media or the Internet or in another appropriate manner that effectively ensures the receipt of the information by the potentially affected persons and will not result in unreasonable costs.
(4) If it becomes evident that there was no threat or that the threat has been eliminated, the administrative authority that informed of the treat must, in the same form and to the same extent as in the notice of the threat, inform of the absence of the threat, provided that the person whose rights were harmed by the notification demands it or there are overriding public reasons for it.
(1) The administrative authority gathers and maintains environmental information required for the performance of its functions so that the information is comprehensible, accurate, comparable and up-to-date and can be disclosed effectively.
(2) Environmental information is disclosed on the Internet or in another appropriate manner that ensures the effective informing of the public.
6) environmental impact assessment reports, reports on strategic assessment of environmental impact and environmental risk assessments.
(4) Restricted information will not be disclosed on the basis of subsection (3) of this section.
5) an explanation on how access to information is granted.
(2) If it grants the public more effective access to environmental information, the information specified in subsection (1) of this section may be published on another website or in another manner, referring on its website to the source where the information is published.
(3) If, under the Public Information Act, the possessor of information is not required to maintain a website and does not have a website, the information specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section will be published on the website of the administrative body with whom the possessor of information has the strongest connection under a public law contract or for another reason.
(1) Everyone has the right to participate in the proceedings of granting authorisation for an activity of a significant environmental impact and in planning an activity of a significant environmental impact.
(2) The public is informed about the proceedings of making a decision of a significant environmental impact with such effectiveness that does not result in unreasonable costs, but ensures that the information reaches the persons whom the environment concerns directly.
(3) The public is effectively and at an early stage, before the selection of the final solutions, involved in making decisions of a significant environmental impact.
(4) Upon involvement of the public, the length of the time limit of the proceedings must be such that, given the volume and complexity of the case, allows the public to participate effectively, thereby the time limit of the proceedings must allow for a sufficient time for preparation.
(5) Materials that are of relevance in the case must be easily accessible on the Internet or in another manner.
(1) The Government Office and the ministries publish on their websites relevant information on which draft regulations and acts that have a significant impact on the environment they intend to draft, publishing the intent of drafting, timetable, research to be carried out in the course of drafting, persons responsible, possibilities of participating in drafting, the issues on which public opinions are expected and the results of consultations.
(2) If it helps the public more effectively follow the legislative drafting process and to involve the public more effectively, the information specified in subsection (1) of this section may be published on another website or in another manner, referring on its website to the source where the information is published.
(1) A person whose right, including the right to the environment meeting the health and well-being needs, has been violated may file an intra-authority appeal with the administrative authority in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Administrative Procedure Act or file a claim with the administrative court in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure.
(2) If an environmental organisation contests an administrative decision or a taken administrative step in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Code Administrative Court Procedure or in the Administrative Procedure Act, it will be presumed that its interest is reasoned or that its rights have been violated if the contested administrative decision or step is related to the environmental protection goals or the current environmental protection activities of the organisation.
2) an association that is not a legal person, but that promotes environmental protection and represents the opinions of a significant portion of the local community on the basis of a written agreement between its members.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section, the promotion of environmental protection also means the protection of the elements of the environment for the purpose of ensuring human health and well-being as well as the research and introduction of the nature and natural cultural heritage.
(3) Upon assessment of the promotion of environmental protection, the association’s ability to attain its goals set out in the articles of association must be considered, taking into account the activities of the association to date or, upon absence thereof, its organisation structure, number of members and the requirements of becoming a member as laid down in the articles of association.
(1) One can stay on a plot of land belonging to another person (hereinafter plot of land belonging to another person) only with the permission of the owner.
(2) The permission to stay on a plot of land belonging to another person, except in the yard, is deemed to be granted if the owner has not fenced the plot of land or marked it in a manner that demonstrates the intent to restrict strangers’ stay on the plot or if the intent to restrict the stay cannot be derived from other circumstances.
(21) The existence of the permission specified in subsection (2) of this section is not presumed in the event of entering another person’s plot of land with a power-driven or off-road vehicle.
(3) Upon staying on a plot of land belonging to another person, the restrictions provided by law must be adhered to, the lawful demands of the owner of the plot must be fulfilled and the causing of environmental nuisances must be reduced to the maximum extent.
(4) Upon staying on a plot of land belonging to another person, the interests of the owner of the plot must be taken into account; above all, damage to property and disturbance of the domestic peace must be avoided.
(41) When moving on a plot of land belonging to another person, the dog must be on a leach, unless agreed otherwise with the landowner. Service dogs that are performing service duties and hunting dogs during a hunt do not have to be on a leash.
(5) A state or local authority may limit the stay on a plot of land belonging to it if it is necessary in public interests or for the protection of the interests of third parties, including land users.
(1) Public roads and private roads may be used by everyone to the extent provided by law.
(2) Roads that are not civil engineering works (hereinafter path) may be used on foot, by bicycle or for moving in another similar way, unless otherwise provided by law.
(3) The owner cannot prohibit the use of a private road or path on foot, by bicycle or for moving in another similar manner if the use is based on a common custom and is not burdensome on the owner. The use of a private road or path located on yard land is deemed excessively burdensome, unless otherwise provided by law.
Berries, mushrooms and nuts growing freely in the wild, fallen branches and other similar natural products may be picked on a plot of land belonging to another person, unless otherwise prescribed by the owner.
(1) One may camp or otherwise more permanently stay on a plot of land belonging to another person only with the permission of the owner.
(2) The permission to camp or otherwise stay more permanently is presumed to be given outside a clearly delimited area with a compact settlement system, unless the owner has not sold the plot of land or marked it in a manner that indicates the intent to restrict camping or other more permanent stay or if the intent to restrict stay does not arise from other circumstance. The permission is presumed to be granted for no more than one day.
(3) In the event of camping and otherwise more permanently staying at a place that has not been prepared or marked for that purpose one must stay outside the range of vision and audible range of the residential building. On an open landscape one must keep at least 150 metres from the residential building.
(1) A fire may be made on a plot of land belonging to another person only with the permission of the owner.
(2) The owner’s permission is presumed at the place prepared and marked by the owner for making a fire.
(1) The public use of a water body means bathing, water sports, moving on water and ice, fishing, water extraction and other use of the water body that does not qualify as the special use of water under the Water Act.
(2) Moving on water or ice with a power-driven vehicle does not qualify as the special use of a water body.
(3) The public use of a water body may be limited pursuant to law.
(4) A water body is designated for public use on the conditions and in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Water Act.
(5) The owner of shore or bank land must not impede the public use of the water body, including not close a watercourse for water traffic to an extent exceeding one third of its width.
(6) On a public and publicly usable water body one may fish free of charge and without registration of the right to fish using one simple hand line in accordance with the Fishing Act or the restrictions established on the basis thereof.
(7) A water body that is not publicly usable may be used only with the permission of the owner. The permission for the public use of a water body is presumed if the water body has not been fenced or marked in a manner that indicates the intent to restrict the use of the water body or if the intent to restrict the use of the water body does not arise from other circumstances.
(1) A shore or bank path is a strip of the shore or bank of a publicly used water body for the purpose of the public use of the water body as well as staying and moving at the shore or bank of the water body.
(2) The width of the shore or bank path of a navigable water body is ten metres and that of other water bodies is four metres. In the case of a flat shore or bank, the width of the shore or bank path is calculated from the border of the water body indicated on the main map and, in the case of a steep shore or bank, from the upper edge of the shore or bank slope, thereby considering the strip of land between the waterline and the upper edge of the slope of the shore or bank as the shore or bank path.
(3) If the shore or bank path is flooded, a strip of two metres from the waterline is considered as the shore or bank path (hereinafter temporary shore or bank path).
(4) The owner of the shore or bank path must allow everyone to use the shore or bank path.
(5) The owner or possessor of the shore or bank may fence the shore or bank path upon the written consent of the local authority or the Agricultural Board and in the event of a reasoned need such as the grazing of animals or the drainage of land, but must ensure passage over or through the fence for the purpose of moving along the shore or bank path.
(6) If movement on a temporary shore or bank path is impeded, the owner of the shore or bank must ensure passage elsewhere at their immovable, unless it is excessively burdensome on the owner.
(7) The local authority must ensure public access to the shore or bank path via plans.
(8) A foot bridge, bridge or another structure in or above a water body is not part of the shore or bank path and such a structure may be used only with the consent of the owner. The permission of use is presumed if the owner has not fenced the structure or marked it in a manner that indicates the intent to restrict the use of the structure by strangers or if the intent to restrict the use cannot be derived from other circumstances. The owner must allow for the use of the structure if it is necessary for moving along the shore or bank path.
(9) If a person has obstructed the shore or bank path in conflict with the provisions of this section, the person will not, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, develop legitimate expectations regarding the lawfulness of the obstruction.
(1) A shore or bank path may be closed in the event of a public overriding reason.
(2) A shore or bank path may also be closed in the event of a private overriding reason in the immediate proximity of such a lawfully erected structure the construction of which is not subject to a prohibition on construction in a building exclusion zone under the Nature Conservation Act or for the construction of which the building exclusion zone has been lawfully reduced.
(3) The closure of a shore or bank path is decided by a comprehensive plan.
(4) In the event of closure of a shore or bank path, the closed path must be marked and it must be possible to get around the closed path.
(5) If a person has closed the shore or bank path in conflict with the provisions of this section, the person will not, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, develop legitimate expectations regarding the lawfulness of the closure.
3) another permit prescribed by law for the purpose of reduction of an environmental risk in order to engage in a field of activity, provided that an environmental permit or an integrated environmental permit is not required by law.
(2) An environmental permit entitles the holder to at least one activity specified in subsection 41 (1) of this Act. The proceedings of granting environmental permits are set out in this chapter.
(3) An integrated environmental permit entitles the holder to an activity in a field of activity or a sub-field determined on the basis of law in a manner that ensures the reduction of environmental nuisances to the maximum extent possible.
(4) Upon granting an integrated environmental permit, the effects of emissions generated by the planned activity on the elements of the environment are assessed holistically. The requirements established by an integrated permit must ensure the protection of water, ambient air and soil as well as the management of waste generated at the installation in a manner that prevents the transfer of contamination from one element of the environment to another. The elements of the environment are, for instance, water, ambient air and soil.
(5) In events provided by law, the proceedings set out in this chapter apply to the granting of an environmental protection permit.
2) ensuring the safety and physical protection of radiation sources and nuclear materials.
(2) The environmental decisions information system and its statutes will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(3) Data on radiation sources and nuclear materials are meant for internal use in the environmental decisions information system.
(2) The holding of an environmental permit for an activity specified in subsection (1) of this section is required in the events provided by law.
(3) An environmental permit is not granted for an activity that calls for an integrated environmental permit.
(4) If the activities specified in subsection (1) of this Act are spatially or technologically connected, a single environmental permit will be granted for these activities.
15) other information required by law or a legal instrument established on the basis of subsection (7) of this section.
(2) It may be provided by law that, upon applying for an environmental permit for an activity, the information specified in subsection (1) of this section does not need to be submitted.
3) other information required by law or a legal instrument established on the basis of subsection (7) of this section.
(4) If the obligation to pay a state fee exists, the applicant for an environmental permit must pay the state fee before submitting the application.
(5) All the requested activities for which the holding of an environmental permit is required must be indicated in the application for an environmental permit.
(6) The application for an environmental permit is submitted jointly with regard to activities to be carried out at a single installation or location.
(7) Detailed requirements for applications for an environmental permit, the application form and the application form for the amendment of an environmental permit will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(1) After verifying the compliance of an application for an environmental permit with the requirements, the issuer of the environmental permit will immediately forward the application to the local authority of the location of the planned activity for the purpose of obtaining its opinion.
(2) The local authority will submit a written opinion on an application for an environmental permit within one month after the receipt of the application. The submission of the opinion does not restrict the local authority’s right to submit additional positions in the course of further proceedings.
(3) If proceedings for the assessment of the environmental impact of the planned activity are carried out for deciding the granting of an environmental permit, the local authority will submit an opinion within 21 days after the receipt of a notice specified in subsection 22 (7) of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act.
An application for an environmental permit is reviewed in open proceedings, unless otherwise provided by law.
When open proceedings are not carried out, the issuer of the environmental permit will immediately inform the person whose rights might be violated or whose duties might be affected by granting or refusing to grant the environmental permit about the receipt of a due application for the environmental permit or about the commencement of proceedings for the amendment of the environmental permit.
2) the person that possesses an immovable that is affected by the planned activity to the extent that considerably exceeds the ordinary impact.
(11) The issuer of the permit does not need to inform the owner of the immovable bordering the immovable of the location of the planned activity in the manner specified in subsection (1) of this section if the planned activity has an insignificant impact.
(2) Persons will be notified of other stages of the proceedings, except the making of an administrative decision specified in § 51 of this Act and the granting or refusal to grant a permit, including of the partial granting of an environmental permit in accordance with § 56 or 58 of this Act, in the manner specified in subsection (1) of this section only when they clearly request it.
(3) Upon informing persons in accordance with the procedure set out in subsection (1) of this section, the information specified in subsection 47 (1) of this Act must be submitted to the persons.
(31) If the document is to be delivered by post, it is sent to the party to the proceedings by non-registered mail.
(4) This section does not apply if the number of the persons specified in subsection (1) of this section exceeds 100.
8) the time limit for submission and the addressee of proposals and objections (hereinafter jointly position) and questions if the notice publishes information on the time and place of the public display.
(2) The notice specified in subsection (1) of this section must be published in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded and in the local newspaper or county newspaper. The notice does not need to be published in the local newspaper or county newspaper if the environmental nuisance or environmental risk arising from the planned activity is so small that there is no sufficient public interest in it. The notice must be published in at least one national newspaper if the activity permitted in the environmental permit may result in a significant regional or national environmental nuisance. If necessary, the notice may be published in a national newspaper also in other events.
(21) The costs of publication in a newspaper must be borne by the applicant for the environmental permit.
(4) Within seven days from the receipt of an application for an environmental permit, the rural municipality or city government will publish on the website of the rural municipality or city government an accessible notice on the receipt of the application, indicating at least the information specified in clauses 1) to 3) and 5) of subsection (1) of this section. The notice must be available on the website until a decision has been made on the application.
(5) To a person that has requested information on public displays and discussions held in the course of the proceedings of an environmental permit a notice of the displays and discussions will be sent to their electronic mail address or postal address.
(6) If the time and place of the display of an application for an environmental permit and the draft administrative decision to be made on the application for the environmental permit or the time limit and addressee of submission of a position and questions was not indicated in the notice specified in subsection (1) of this section, a notice containing this information will be published in accordance with the requirements set out in subsections (2) and (21) of this section immediately after the completion of the draft administrative decision.
(1) An application for an environmental permit and the draft administrative decision to be made thereon will be displayed to the public by the issuer of the permit in accordance with the procedure provided for in § 48 of the Administrative Procedure Act in at least one public building or place of the rural municipality, city or another settlement of the location of the planned activity or at the seat of the issuer of the environmental permit or at the location of the planned activity. The issuer of the permit will determine the location of the display, taking into account the possible extent and scope of the environmental nuisance of the planned activity.
(2) The draft administrative decision to be made on an application for an environmental permit will not be displayed to the public in accordance with the procedure specified in subsection (1) of this section if the environmental nuisance or environmental risk arising from the planned activity is so small that there is no sufficient public interest in it.
(3) In the course of the public display, the documents specified in subsection (1) of this section must be available on the website of the issuer of the environmental permit until a decision on the application has been made.
(4) Within the time limit set by the issuer of an environmental permit, everyone has the right to submit to the issuer of the environmental permit positions and questions on the publicly displayed application for the environmental permit or draft administrative decision to be made thereon. The time limit must not be shorter than two weeks as of informing of the display.
(1) The issuer of an environmental permit will decide the granting of the permit after discussing the matter in a public discussion in the course of which everyone has the right to orally express an opinion on the draft environmental permit and the proceedings of granting it. In the events provided for in subsections 50 (2) and (3) of the Administrative Procedure Act the granting of the environmental permit may be decided without organising a discussion.
(2) If the time of a discussion has not been announced along with the announcement of a display, the issuer of the environmental permit will inform the public about holding a discussion at least ten days in advance in accordance with the procedure established in § 47 of this Act.
(3) The discussion must be minuted. The minutes must contain the positions expressed and questions asked in the discussion and the responses given to these.
(4) Before deciding whether to issue an environmental permit, the issuer of the permit will send to the applicant the positions expressed and questions asked in the public display and discussion, so that the applicant could examine them and express an opinion thereon.
(5) If an application for an environmental permit or the draft administrative decision to be issued thereon is substantially amended after the public display, the issuer of the permit may organise a repeat public display, taking into account the presumable impact of the change on the persons concerned and the interests of the applicant. If it is necessary for making the right decision on the matter, the issuer of the environmental permit may organise a repeat public discussion.
(1) The granting of an environmental permit is decided within 90 days as of the receipt of a due application, unless otherwise provided by law.
(2) If the granting of an environmental permit is decided without open proceedings, the permit will be granted or refused within 30 days as of the receipt of a due application, unless otherwise provided by law.
(3) In the events provided for in clauses 52 (1) 1) and 2) of this Act, the refusal to grant an environmental permit is decided within 20 days as of the receipt of a proper application.
(4) The time limit specified in subsection (1) of this section is not applied if the requested activity is not permitted without the establishment of a plan and no plan has been established within 30 days as of the submission of the application for the environmental permit. In such an event the granting of the environmental permit will be decided within 60 days after the establishment of the plan. If the required plan is established more than 90 days after the submission of a due application for an environmental permit, the granting of the environmental permit will be decided within 30 days as of the establishment of the plan.
The issuer of an environmental permit may, at the request of an applicant for a permit, issue a single environmental permit for the activities of the same person, which are specified in subsection 41 (1) of this Act and take place in a different location, or amend the person’s existing environmental permit in order to authorise new activities if it is justified by the principle of carrying out the proceedings in a purposeful manner or it is practical from the point of view of exercising supervision.
(1) The issuer of an environmental permit may, at the request of an applicant for the environmental permit or on its own initiative, bindingly identify a circumstance that is of significance upon final resolution of the matter before granting or refusing to grant the environmental permit, including the absence of a ground for refusal to grant the environmental permit as specified in clauses 52 (1) 1) to 4) or 8) to 10) of this Act.
(2) The making of a preliminary administrative decisions specified in subsection (1) of this section is decided in accordance with the provisions regulating the granting of an environmental permit. The making of such a preliminary administrative decision does not preclude the requirement to adhere to the procedural time limits set out in § 49 of this Act upon reviewing an application for an environmental permit.
10) in another ground provided by law.
(2) On the ground specified in clause 8) of subsection (1) of this section, the granting of an environmental permit may be refused if, upon granting the requested environmental permit, the adherence to the limit value of the quality of the environment cannot be ensured by amending or revoking another environmental permit on the ground provided for in clause 59 (1) 3) of this Act.
(3) If the granting of an environmental permit for some of the activities specified in an application may be refused, the permit must, at the request of the applicant, be granted for the activities for which it is permitted to grant the permit.
13) other information prescribed by law.
(2) An environmental permit is issued for an unspecified term, unless the permit is requested for a fixed term, a change of the activity of the holder of the environmental permit (including the technology to be used or the state of the environment) can be foreseen or otherwise provided by law. A fixed-term environmental permit will be issued for at least one year, unless a shorter term has been indicated in the application for the environmental permit.
(3) Environmental permit forms will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
The emission permitted by an environmental permit is determined in such a manner that adherence to the limit value of the quality of the environment is ensured.
If a detailed plan needs to be established for an activity to be permitted by an environmental permit or for the erection of a building for which a building permit will not be issued before an environmental permit is granted, the environmental permit will not be issued before such detailed plan has been established.
(1) The issuer of an environmental permit may, before reviewing the entire application for the environmental permit, grant an environmental permit for some activities specified in the application if the applicant request it and no grounds for refusal to authorise such activity exist or refuse to grant an environmental permit for some activities specified in the application if an environmental permit for such activities cannot be granted.
(2) The issuer of an environmental permit may decide the partial granting of the environmental permit on its own initiative if it is justified. In such an event, the position of the applicant regarding the partial granting of the environmental permit must be heard.
(3) Upon partial granting of an environmental permit, the conditions specified in subsection 53 (1) of this Act will be established for ensuring the lawfulness of the permitted activity.
(4) Upon partial granting of an environmental permit, it can be stipulated that the conditions specified in clauses 53 (1) 5) to 11) of this Act, which were determined upon the partial granting of the permit, will be amended upon reviewing the application. In such an event the holder of the permit cannot expect that such secondary conditions of the environmental permit will not be amended.
(5) The partial granting of an environmental permit is decided in accordance with the provisions regulating the granting of environmental permits. The partial granting of such a permit does not preclude the requirement to adhere to the procedural time limits set out in § 49 of this Act upon reviewing an application for an environmental permit in other respects.
(1) The issuer of an environmental permit may grant the environmental permit also in such a manner that the conditions set out in clauses 53 (1) 6) and 8) to 11) will be decided later if the initial assessment shows that the circumstances serving as the basis for the refusal of the permit are absent and the fulfilment of the possible conditions of the permit is not so burdensome on the applicant in performing the planned activity that it would result in the non-performance of the planned activity. In such an event the conditions of the environmental permit must be determined within the time limit provided for in § 49 of this Act. The provisions of § 56 of this Act apply to the granting of an environmental permit in such a manner.
(2) Upon granting an environmental permit in accordance with the procedure set out in subsection (1) of this section, the conditions established in clauses 53 (1) 6) and 8) to 11) may be determined temporarily, until the conditions are determined finally within the time limit provided for in § 49 of this Act. If the issuer of the environmental permit does not determine the final conditions of the environmental permit within the time limit, the temporary conditions of the environmental permit will be deemed to be the final conditions.
(3) In accordance with the procedure specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, an environmental permit will not be granted before the publication of a notice in subsection 22 (7) of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act, provided that an assessment of the environmental impact of the planned activity is carried out upon granting the permit.
(4) A claim against an environmental permit established in accordance with the procedure specified in subsections (1) and (2) of this section may be filed with the administrative court in accordance with the procedure established in the Code of Administrative Court Procedure within 30 days after the date of announcement of the administrative decision made on the determination of the conditions of the environmental permit or as of the day when the temporary conditions of an environmental permit become final.
(1) A decision to grant or refuse to grant an environmental permit is, it in accordance with §§ 25–30 and 32 of the Administrative Procedure Act delivered by post, by the issuer of the environmental permit or electronically to the applicant and to other persons whose rights are limited by the environmental permit or a decision to refuse to grant it.
(2) If the number of persons specified in subsection (1) of this section exceeds 100, the environmental permit or the decision not to grant the environmental permit will be delivered only to the applicant.
(3) An environmental permit is announced by publishing a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded and in the local or county newspaper. The notice does not need to be published in the local or county newspaper if the proceedings of application for an environmental permit were not governed by the provisions regulating open proceedings or if the environmental nuisance or environmental risk related to the planned activity is small and there is no sufficient public interest in it. The notice must be published in at least one national newspaper if the activity permitted in the permit may result in a significant regional or national environmental nuisance. If necessary, the notice may be published in a national newspaper also in other events.
(31) The costs of publication in a newspaper must be borne by the applicant for the environmental permit.
5) information on where the environmental permit or a decision refusing to grant it and the information serving as the basis thereof can be accessed.
(5) The environmental permit or the decision to refuse to grant it is published on the website of the issuer of the permit.
(6) An environmental permit is communicated to the local authority.
(7) The administrative decisions specified in §§ 51, 65 and 57 of this Act are announced in accordance with the procedure for announcing an environmental permit.
3) the issuer of the environmental permit would have had the right not to grant the permit due to a subsequent change of the circumstances, including due to the development of the best possible technology, provided that the use thereof is prescribed by law, or due to a change of the extent of an environmental risk or due to a subsequent amendment of a provision of law, and the amendment of the environmental permit is justified by the need for more extensive protection of the environment or another interest that overrides the person’s expectation that the environmental permit will remain in force.
4) the activity pursued, the technology used or the equipment used on the basis of the environmental permit of the holder change.
(3) Upon amendment of an environmental permit, clause 67 (4) 2) of the Administrative Procedure Code does not apply.
(4) An application for the amendment of an environmental permit is reviewed by the issuer of the environmental permit in accordance with the procedure established for granting environmental permits. In the event provided for in clause 1) of subsection (1) of this section, the environmental permit will be amended within seven days as of the receipt of the application.
3) in the event provided for in clause 1) of subsection (1) of this section.
(6) The amendment of an environmental permit is announced in accordance with the procedure regulating the announcement of environmental permits.
(1) The holder of an environmental permit has the right to transfer the rights and duties arising from the permit to another person during the term of validity of the permit.
(2) To change the data of the holder of an environmental permit, the permit holder and the applicant for the permit must submit a joint application to the issuer of the environmental permit. The application must specify the date on which the data of the permit holder will be changed. An application for changing the data of an environmental permit holder in the environmental permit must be submitted no later than ten days before the arrival of the date.
(3) The issuer of an environmental permit will refuse to change the data of the environmental permit holder in the environmental permit if the applicant for the permit does not meet the requirements established to a permit holder by law.
(1) On the grounds provided for in subsection 59 (1) of this Act, the holder of an environmental permit may suspend the validity of the environmental permit in full or in part for up to three months.
(2) The suspension of the validity of an environmental permit will be decided without open proceedings.
4) if it becomes evident that the permit holder has knowingly given false information in the application for the permit or submitted a forged document.
2) if the permit holder does not fulfil the requirements provided by the permit or law and the revocation of the permit is demanded by an overriding public interest or the permit holder has been penalised for such offence.
(3) Upon revocation of an environmental permit, clause 67 (4) 2) of the Administrative Procedure Code does not apply.
(4) An environmental permit will be revoked without open proceedings if, in the event of the validity of the permit, there is an environmental threat or a significant environmental nuisance or if the administrative authority does not consider it necessary to carry out open proceedings due to the minor effects arising from the revocation of the environmental permit.
(1) The Environmental Inspectorate exercises state supervision over adherence to §§ 38 and 39 of this Act and to the requirements established on the basis thereof.
(2) Supervision over adherence to the requirements established in §§ 38 and 39 of this Act, except subsection 38 (7) and 39 (3), is, in addition to the Environmental Inspectorate, exercised by the local authority.
(1) The Environmental Inspectorate may, for the purpose of exercising the state supervision provided for in this Act, take special measures of state supervision provided for in §§ 30, 31, 32, 46, 50 and 51 of the Law Enforcement Act on the grounds and in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Law Enforcement Act.
(2) The local authority may, for the purpose of exercising the state supervision provided for in this Act, take special measures of state supervision provided for in §§ 30, 31, 32, 50 and 51 of the Law Enforcement Act on the grounds and in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Law Enforcement Act.
2) the purpose of entering the possession is to ensure access to another immovable or a water body.
(2) The possessor does not afterwards need to be informed about the entry to the possession on the ground provided for in subsection (2) of this section if no supervisory or offence proceedings were conducted after the entry.
(3) The Environmental Inspectorate may demolish a structure obstructing passage on a shore or bank path in accordance with the procedure established in the Substitutive Enforcement and Penalty Payment Act. For the purpose of demolition of a structure in the course of substitutive enforcement, the Environmental Inspectorate must inform the relevant local authority beforehand.
(4) For the purpose of exercising supervision, an official of the Environmental Inspectorate may, using a vehicle, including an off-road vehicle or a water craft, enter and move in a land or water area even if legislation prohibits entry to and movement in such area for environmental protection purposes.
The Environmental Inspectorate is authorised to use physical force on the grounds and in accordance with the procedure established in the Law Enforcement Act.
In the event of failure to comply with a precept the maximum penalty payment imposed in accordance with the procedure provided for in the Substitutive Enforcement and Penalty Payment Act is 32 000 euros.
(1) The penalty for the illegal closure or obstruction of a shore or bank path is a fine of up to 300 fine units.
(2) The penalty for the same act, if committed by a legal person, is a fine of up to 3200 euros.
The bodies conducting extrajudicial proceedings of the misdemeanour specified in § 626 of this Act are the Environmental Inspectorate and the rural municipality government or the city government.
If the body conducting extrajudicial proceedings, which imposed a fine, is the rural municipality government or the city government, the fine imposed for the misdemeanour specified in § 626 of this Act will be transferred to the budget of the local authority.
(1) Until the establishment of the environmental decisions information system, the data of the permits specified in subsection 401 (1) of this Act and the data related to the performance of duties and obligations associated with the permits are kept in the environmental register or in another information system in the area of administration of the Ministry of the Environment.
(2) The time limits for the transfer of the data to the environmental decisions information system are set out in the statute of the database.
This Act will enter into force at the time and in accordance with to the procedure provided for in the General Part of the Environmental Code Act Implementation Act.
1Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC (OJ L 41, 14.02.2003, pp. 26–32); Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment and amending with regard to public participation and access to justice Council Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EC (OJ L 156, 25.06.2003, pp. 17–25); Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (codification) (OJ L 26, 28.01.2012, pp. 1–21); Directive (EU) 2015/2193 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants (OJ L 313, 28.11.2015, pp. 1–19).

References: § 1
 § 51
 § 56
 § 48
 § 47
 § 49
 § 49
 § 49
 § 56
 § 49
 § 626
 § 626