Source: https://www.riigiteataja.ee/en/eli/ee/507072017002/consolide/current
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 22:38:42+00:00

Document:
11.06.2015 RT I, 30.06.2015, 4 01.09.2015, the words ‘Ministry of Agriculture’ have been replaced with the words ‘Ministry of Rural Affairs’ on the basis of subsection 1074 (2) of the Government of the Republic Act.
(2) The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act apply to the administrative proceedings specified in this Act, taking into account the specifications provided for in this Act.
4) the strategic environmental assessment of a spatial plan to the extent regulated in the Planning Act.
For the purposes of this Act, ‘environmental impact’ means any potential direct or indirect effect of a proposed activity or implementation of a strategic planning document on the environment, human health and well-being, cultural heritage or property.
Environmental impact is significant if it is likely to exceed the environmental capacity of the impact area, cause irreversible changes to the environment, endanger human health and well-being, the environment, cultural heritage or property.
(1) The authorities concerned are authorities that are likely to be concerned by the environmental impact presumably arising from a strategic planning document or a proposed activity or that may have a reasoned interest in the potential environmental impact. Depending on the nature of the strategic planning document or the proposed activity, the authorities specified in the previous sentence include, among others, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Social Affairs and governmental authorities in their area of government, the local authority, and other authorities concerned.
(2) The Ministry of the Environment is considered an authority concerned in the event of environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context or strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context or if the authority who established the strategic planning document or the issuer of the development consent is the Riigikogu, the Government of the Republic or a ministry. In other events, the Environmental Board is considered an authority concerned.
The time limits specified in subsections 151 (2), (4), (5) and (7), subsection 17 (3), subsections 18 (2) and (4), subsection 201 (2), subsections 22 (3), (5) and (7), subsections 361 (2), (4) and (5), subsection 37 (6), subsections 39 (2) and (4), and subsections 42 (3), (5) and (7) may, in a justified case such as the volume of the documents or the complexity of the proposed activity or strategic planning document, be extended by setting a new time limit for taking the procedural step.
2) if an activity is planned whereby, according to objective information, it cannot be precluded that the activity alone or in conjunction with other activities may potentially significantly and adversely affect the protection purpose of a Natura 2000 site, and which is not directly related to or necessary for the protection procedure of the site.
(2) If the sole purpose of the proposed activity is to ensure national security or to solve an emergency, environmental impact does not need to be assessed, provided that assessment may harm the attainment of these purposes, except in the event specified in clause 2) of subsection (1) of this section.
(3) If environmental impact is not assessed based on subsection (2) of this section, the provisions of §§ 31–30 of this Act will not be applied.
(4) The omission of the environmental impact assessment specified in subsection (2) of this section is decided by the Government of the Republic on a proposal of the minister responsible for the field.
(1) The purpose of environmental impact assessment is to give to the issuer of the development consent information on the significant environmental impact of the proposed activity and its reasonable alternatives and regarding the choice of the most suitable solution for the proposed activity, which makes it possible to prevent or minimise adverse impact on the environment and to promote sustainable development.
(2) Upon assessment of environmental impact, the following is identified, described and assessed: the direct and indirect significant environmental impact of the proposed activity on the environmental elements such as earth, soil, water, ambient air, climate, landscape and natural diversity, on human health, welfare and property, on cultural heritage, protected natural objects and their mutual links; the significant environmental impact arising from a possible major accident or catastrophe.
6) taking the results of the environmental impact assessment into account upon making a decision to grant or not to grant development consent, and notifying of the decision.
(1) For the purposes of this Division, ‘environmental measures’ means measures for prevention, avoidance, reduction, mitigation and, in a justified case, for remedying of adverse environmental impact arising from implementing the proposed activity. Environmental monitoring is also included among environmental measures.
(2) Environmental measures, including the type of indicators monitored by way of environmental monitoring and the duration of monitoring, must be proportionate to the nature, location and scope of the proposed activity as well as to the estimated environmental impact. Upon ordering and carrying out environmental impact, existing environmental monitoring is taken into account.
35) changes in an activity or installation or the expansion of a building specified in clauses 1) to 341) of this subsection, provided that the change of the activity or installation or the expansion of the building is in compliance with the possible thresholds set out in this subsection.
(21) If an activity or installation specified in clauses 1) to 341) of this subsection is changed or a building specified in clauses 1) to 341) of this subsection is expanded, the decision-maker must make a preliminary estimate of whether the proposed activity has a significant environmental impact.
(23) The preliminary estimate specified in subsections (2) and (21) of this section does not need to be made if the proposed activity falls outside the scope of subsection (21) and the scope of the regulation established on the basis of subsection (4).
(24) Upon application of subsection (23) of this section, the decision-maker must make a preliminary estimate if additional circumstances become evident during the proceedings of the application for development consent, which result in the obligation to make a preliminary estimate in accordance with subsections (2) and (21).
6) optionally, information on the characteristics of the proposed activity or on the environmental measures to be taken, which are aimed at avoiding or preventing potential adverse environmental impact that may emerge otherwise.
(2) Upon compiling the information specified in subsection (1) of this section, the developer must take the results of prior relevant assessments into account.
(3) The decision-maker makes the preliminary estimate specified in subsections 6 (2) and (21) of this Act based on the information submitted by the developer and other relevant information, the proposed activity, the location thereof and the estimated environmental impact.
(4) The information specified in subsection (1) of this section does not need to be submitted if the preliminary estimate is not made in accordance with subsection 6 (23) of this Act.
(5) Detailed requirements for the contents of the preliminary estimate specified in subsections 6 (2) and (21) of this Act will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(1) For the purposes of this Act, ‘developer’ means a person who proposes an activity and intends to carry it out.
(1) The decision-maker is the issuer of development consent.
(2) If the decision-maker is also the developer, the official performing the duties of the decision-maker must refrain from performing the duties of the developer at the same time.
(2) In the event of an activity specified in subsection 6 (1) of this Act, the decision-maker will review the application and make a decision to initiate or refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment within the statutory time limit established for application proceedings, while in the event of an activity falling in any of the areas specified in subsection 6 (2) and in the event of an activity referred to in subsection (21) of the same section, the decision-maker will review the application within the statutory time limit established for application proceedings, but not later than by the ninetieth day following the receipt of the information listed in subsection 61 (1).
(21) If a decision to initiate or refuse to initiate the environmental impact assessment of a proposed activity is made on the basis of subsection 6 (2) or (21) of this Act, the statutory time limit established for application proceedings may by a written notice to the developer be extended by up to 30 days if the extension is warranted by the circumstances.
(22) Before deciding if the environmental impact assessment of the activities of the areas specified in subsection 6 (2) of this Act and of the activity specified in subsection (21) is necessary, the decision-maker must ask for the opinion of all the authorities concerned, submitting to them the preliminary estimate and the draft decision to initiate or not to initiate environmental impact assessment so that they could formulate an opinion.
(23) The necessity of the environmental impact assessment of the activities of the areas specified in subsection 6 (2) of this Act and of the activity specified in subsection (21) is decided based on the preliminary estimate and the opinion of the authority concerned.
(24) If, in the application proceedings of a development consent granted for the proposed activity, the decision-maker has, based on subsection (23) of this section, not initiated environmental impact assessment, the decision-maker may decide not to initiate environmental impact assessment on the same ground in the application proceedings of other development consent required for the same activity, provided that the circumstances have not changed considerably.
(4) If a decision to initiate or refuse to initiate environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity is made on the basis of subsection 6 (2) or (21) of this Act, the results of the preliminary estimate concerning all the criteria listed in subsection 6 (3) of this Act will be appended to the decision.
(6) If the proposed activity potentially results in significant environmental impact, the decision-maker will not initiate the environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity if the preliminary estimate indicates that the environmental impact of the proposed activity has already been adequately assessed in the course of environmental impact assessment or strategic environmental assessment and the decision-maker has sufficient information for granting the development consent.
(81) The decision not to initiate environmental impact assessment must, among other things, contain relevant characteristics of the proposed activity presented on the basis of clause (61) (1) 6) of this Act or environmental measures for avoiding or preventing adverse environmental impact that may otherwise emerge.
(9) The decision-maker may submit a decision to refuse initiation of environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity as a part of the decision to grant or refuse to grant development consent.
(10) If the proposed activity may potentially affect a Natura 2000 site, protected area, special conservation area, habitat of a protected species or individual protected natural object, the decision-maker will obtain approval for the draft decision to refuse initiation of environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity with the manager of the specified protected natural feature.
(11) If environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity is initiated, the application proceedings of development consent will be suspended until giving notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded in accordance with subsection 22 (7) of this Act.
(12) Before the submission of an application for development consent, the developer may address the decision-maker to obtain an opinion concerning the type of information the developer must submit in the course of the environmental impact assessment. Before providing an opinion, the decision-maker whom the developer addressed must consult with the developer as well as with the authorities concerned. Provision of an opinion does not prevent the decision-maker from demanding further information in the course of the environmental impact assessment.
(1) The decision-maker will inform the persons specified in subsection 46 (1) of the General Part of the Environmental Code Act and other parties to the proceedings about the initiation of the environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity by electronic means, by regular mail or by registered mail and inform the public by publishing a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded within 14 days after making a relevant decision.
2) inform the persons specified in subsection 46 (1) of the General Part of the Environmental Code Act, other parties to the proceedings and the public about the refusal to initiate the environmental impact assessment of the proposed activity by publishing a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded within 14 days after making a relevant decision.
(2) Upon giving design specifications or granting a building permit or a use and occupancy permit of a construction works, a notice of refusal to initiate environmental impact assessment is given via the national register of construction works.
10) a copy of the application for development consent.
(1) Environmental impact will be assessed or environmental impact assessment will be directed by a natural person who holds a licence for environmental impact assessment, or a legal person through an employee holding a relevant licence (hereinafter leading expert).
(3) The leading expert has the right to form an expert group for environmental impact assessment, which may comprise competent persons without a relevant licence.
(4) The leading expert must involve specialists in environmental impact assessment if the qualifications of the leading expert are not sufficient for environmental impact assessment.
(41) A person who has acquired foreign professional qualifications may act as a leading expert if their professional qualifications have been recognised in accordance with the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act. The competent authority provided for in subsection 7 (2) of the Recognition of Foreign Professional Qualifications Act is the Ministry of the Environment.
(5) The leading expert and the members of the expert group must be impartial and independent upon assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed activity, reflecting in the environmental impact assessment report all the circumstances that are relevant from the point of view of the purpose of the environmental impact assessment.
(6) The decision-maker will verify whether the leading expert holds a licence.
7) has paid the state fee.
5) a certificate of completion of management training and of having project management experience.
(4) The Ministry of the Environment will grant a licence to the applicant for five years. The period of validity of the licence begins on the date of granting the licence.
(7) The granting of a licence will be refused if the applicant does not comply with the qualification requirements specified in clauses 1) to 6) of subsection (1) of this section or has failed to pay the state fee.
(71) Information on licensed leading experts, including on revoked licences, is published on the website of the Ministry of the Environment.
(8) In order to extend the validity of a licence, a person must submit a written application in a free form. The validity of a licence will be extended if the applicant has participated as the leading expert in an environmental impact assessment or in a strategic assessment of the environmental impact of a detailed plan at least four times during the term of the licence.
(81) If during the term of validity of the licence of the leading expert any complaints have been submitted regarding their activities, the environmental impact assessment committee will have the right to demand that the applicant take an environmental impact assessment examination.
4) the holder of the licence has knowingly provided an incorrect assessment in the environmental impact assessment report, and also if the results of the ex-post evaluation of environmental impact assessment significantly differ from the assessment provided in the environmental impact assessment report.
(91) A licence does not need to be revoked or the validity of a licence may be extended if the irregularities specified in clause 1) or 3) of subsection (9) of this section could not have influenced the granting of or refusal to grant the licence or the development consent.
(92) The Ministry of the Environment will inform the licence holder about the initiation of the proceedings for the revocation of the licence within 14 days after the initiation of the proceedings. Along with a notice of initiation of the proceedings, a written summary of the circumstances due which the proceedings for the revocation of the licence were initiated will be sent to the licence holder and a time limit will be set to the licence holder for giving written explanations. The time limit must not be shorter than 21 days.
(93) Before making a decision to revoke a licence or to refuse to renew a licence, the licence holder will be heard orally. The time and place of the hearing will be communicated to the licence holder in writing at least 14 days before the oral hearing. If the licence holder does not attend the oral hearing, the Ministry of the Environment may make a decision without orally hearing the person.
(94) The Ministry of the Environment decides the revocation or non-revocation of a licence within 60 days from the initiation of the proceedings. In reasoned events, the Ministry of the Environment may extend the decision-making time limit. The licence holder must be informed thereof immediately.
(10) The Ministry of the Environment will inform the licence holder by registered mail about the revocation or non-renewal of the licence and publish the notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded. The notice must set out the name of the leading expert, the number of the revoked or non-renewed licence, and the date of the revocation or non-renewal decision.
(11) If the licence is revoked on the basis of clause 1), 2) or 3) of subsection (9) of this section, the person must undergo supplementary training in environmental impact assessment at least to the extent of 60 hours and pass a corresponding examination.
(111) If the licence is revoked or not renewed on the basis of clause 4) of subsection (9) of this section and the making of a knowingly false assessment in the environmental impact assessment report significantly influenced the making of the decision to grant the development consent, the person does not have the right to apply for the licence again.
(13) If the licence of the leading expert assessing the environmental impact or leading the assessment is revoked or the licence is not renewed or another circumstance that brings about such a consequence exists in the environmental impact assessment proceedings, the decision-maker will, on a proposal of the developer, appoint a new leading expert for the unfinished environmental impact assessment. In environmental impact assessment proceedings, the appointment of a new leading expert is notified of in accordance with subsection 12 (1) of this Act.
(1) Before the publication of an environmental impact assessment programme in accordance with § 16 of this Act, the decision-maker must ask for an opinion on the content of the programme from all the authorities concerned. To ask for the opinions, the developer must submit the environmental impact assessment programme to the decision-maker.
(2) The decision-maker will check the compliance of the programme with the requirements provided for in § 13 of this Act within 14 days as of the receipt of the environmental impact assessment programme and submit it to the authorities concerned for the submission of an opinion.
(3) If the environmental impact assessment programme does not comply with the requirements provided for in § 13 of this Act, the decision-maker will return it to the developer along with the reasons and correction proposals.
(4) Within 30 days from the receipt of the environmental impact assessment programme, the authority concerned will, based on its field of competence, submit to the decision-maker an opinion, among other things, on the adequacy and sufficiency of the programme. Upon examination of the documentation, the authority must verify the sufficiency of the composition of the expert group.
(5) The decision-maker will examine the opinions within 14 days as of the receipt of the opinions of the authorities concerned and submit to the developer and to the leading expert its opinion on the adequacy and sufficiency of the environmental impact assessment programme, taking into account the opinions submitted by the authorities concerned.
(6) The leading expert or the expert group, jointly with the developer, will correct and modify the programme on the basis of subsection (5) of this section and explain why the opinions were taken into account or disregarded. The developer will submit to the decision-maker a modified environmental impact assessment programme. Copies of the letters of the authorities concerned will be added to the programme.
(7) Within 14 days after receiving the programme, the decision-maker examines the corrected and modified environmental impact assessment programme, including whether the opinions of the authorities concerned have been taken into account or not, thereby involving in the proceedings the authority concerned whose position was not taken into account, where necessary.
(8) In order to extend the validity of a licence, a person submits a written application in a free form to the Ministry of the Environment not later than three months before the expiry of the term of validity of the licence. The validity of a licence will be extended if the applicant has participated as the leading expert in an environmental impact assessment or in a strategic assessment of the environmental impact of a detailed plan at least four times during the term of the licence.
(1) The decision-maker will organise a public display of an environmental impact assessment programme with the duration of not less than 14 days. Thereafter the developer will organise a public consultation of the environmental impact assessment programme in cooperation with the decision-maker.
(51) Among other things, the opinions submitted by the authorities concerned and received in the course of the public consultation are introduced and the reasons of taking into account or disregarding proposals and objections are explained at the public consultation of an environmental impact assessment programme.
(6) The decision-maker will publish an environmental impact assessment programme, among other things, on its own or another webpage and ensure to the public the possibility to examine the programme at least until the end of the term for submission of proposals, objections and questions.
(2) Jointly with the developer, the leading expert or, under the supervision of the leading expert, an expert group will, on the basis of the proposals and objections submitted regarding the environmental impact assessment programme during the public display of the programme, make the necessary amendments to the programme, explain why proposals and objections are taken into account and state the reasons why they are not taken into account and respond to the questions.
2) whose proposal, objection or question submitted at the public consultation remained unanswered at the public consultation.
(1) After the public consultation regarding an environmental impact assessment programme, the developer will submit the programme along with the proposals, objections and questions submitted regarding the programme, copies of letters specified in subsection 17 (3) of this Act and report of the public consultation to the decision-maker for verification of its compliance with the requirements.
3) the taking into account or disregarding of proposals and objections submitted regarding the programme.
(3) The decision-maker will make a decision to declare the environmental impact assessment programme compliant with the requirements on the basis of subsection (2) of this section.
(4) The decision-maker will inform the persons specified in subsection 46 (1) of the General Part of the Environmental Code Act and other parties to the proceedings and publish a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded within 14 days after making a decision specified in subsection (3) of this section.
3) the time and place of accessing the environmental impact assessment programme and the decision specified in subsection (3) of this section.
(6) If the decision-maker finds that the environmental impact assessment programme does not comply with the requirements verified in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, the developer must submit to the decision-maker a modified programme for the purpose of verifying compliance with the requirements.
(7) If the developer has not, within 18 months from the initiation of the environmental impact assessment, submitted to the decision-maker the environmental impact assessment programme for the purpose of verifying compliance with the requirements, the decision-maker will not review the development consent application serving as the basis for the initiation of the environmental impact assessment and will return it to the developer.
(8) If the developer fails to submit an environmental impact assessment report specified in § 20 of this Act to the decision-maker for a public display within two years after the making of the decision specified in subsection (3) of this section, the programme will expire and a new programme must be prepared in order to assess the environmental impact.
(1) On the basis of an environmental impact assessment programme that has been declared compliant, the leading expert or an expert group will, jointly with the developer, prepare an environmental impact assessment report that contains a description and a comparison of the proposed activity and its real alternatives, a description of the environment potentially significantly affected by the proposed activity, and a description of the potential significant environmental impact arising therefrom and of the environmental measures.
(11) In the event of emergence of additional circumstances in the course of preparation of the environmental impact assessment report, the environmental impact assessment programme declared compliant with the requirements in accordance with subsection 18 (3) of this Act may be deviated from in a reasoned event stated in the report. Respective reasons must be set out in the environmental impact assessment report and if the decision-maker or the authority concerned who gives its opinion on the report does not accept deviation from the programme, the report must be modified in accordance with the programme.
(2) More detailed requirements for the contents of an environmental impact assessment report will be established by a regulation of the minister responsible for the field.
(3) Upon assessment of environmental impact, the generally recognised knowledge of environmental impact assessment, assessment methodology and results of previous relevant assessments must be taken into account.
(1) The opinion of the authorities concerned is asked on the environmental impact assessment report in accordance with the procedure set out in § 151 of this Act.
(2) Within 21 days from the receipt of the environmental impact assessment report, the decision-maker will verify the compliance of the report with the requirements established in and on the basis of § 20 of this Act, the adequacy and sufficiency of the report, and the consideration or disregarding of the opinions of the authorities concerned.
An environmental impact assessment report is published and the results of publication are taken into account in accordance with the procedure provided for in §§ 16 and 17 of this Act, except for the time limit of the public display of the report, which must be at least 30 days.
(1) After the public consultation of an environmental impact assessment report, the developer will submit the report to the decision-maker for verification of the compliance with the requirements.
(2) The decision-maker will submit the environmental impact assessment report to the authorities concerned for approval.
(3) The authority concerned, based on its field of competence, will approve or refuse to approve the environmental impact assessment report within 30 days from the receipt of the report. The authority specified in subsection 23 (2) of this Act will assess, among other things, the compliance of the report with the requirements established in and based on § 20 of this Act.
2) the report contains insufficient information that influences the final conclusions of the report and, as a result thereof, a significant adverse environmental impact may arise from the implementation of the proposed activity.
4) the taking into account or disregarding of proposals and objections submitted regarding the report.
(6) The decision-maker will make a decision to declare the environmental impact assessment report that contains, among other things, the final conclusions of the environmental impact assessment report on the significant environmental impact arising from the implementation of the proposed activity compliant with the requirements on the basis of subsection (5) of this section.
(7) The decision-maker will inform the persons specified in subsection 46 (1) of the General Part of the Environmental Code Act and other parties to the proceedings and publish a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded within 14 days after making a decision specified in subsection (6) of this section.
3) the time and place of accessing the environmental impact assessment report and the decision specified in subsection (6) of this section.
(9) If the decision-maker finds that the environmental impact assessment report does not comply with the requirements verified in accordance with subsection (5) of this section, the developer must submit to the decision-maker a modified report for the purpose of verifying compliance with the requirements.
(10) Where warranted by circumstances, the decision-maker may demand that additional information which is not included in the environmental assessment report that has been declared compliant in accordance with the requirements of subsection 18 (3) of this Act.
(1) Upon making a decision to grant or refuse to grant development consent, the decision-maker must take into account the relevance of the environmental impact assessment, the results of the environmental impact assessment and the environmental measures contained in the report.
(11) If the decision-maker identifies as a result of an assessment in accordance with subsection (1) of this section that the environmental impact assessment report is not relevant for granting the development consent, the decision-maker has, where warranted by circumstances, the right to demand that the developer submit an additional expert assessment that will be added to the environmental impact assessment report.
(12) An expert assessment in accordance with subsection (11) of this section must be given by a leading expert who meets the requirement established in subsection 14 (1) of this Act. Upon choosing the leading expert, the leasing expert who drew up the environmental impact assessment must be given preference, where possible.
(13) If the application proceedings are not open proceedings, but in the course thereof an expert assessment specified in subsection (11) of this section has been drawn up for the purpose of ensuring the relevance of the environmental impact assessment, the open proceedings provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act are applied to the application proceedings, taking into account the specifications set out in the legal instrument regulating the application proceedings.
(14) To make an expert assessment specified in subsection (11) of this section, the time limit of the application proceedings will be extended by the time spent on making the expert assessment.
(15) The decision to grant development consent must contain the final conclusions of the environmental impact assessment report and the environmental measures and, where relevant, the expert assessment specified in subsection (11) of this section.
(2) If, upon making a decision to grant or refuse to grant development consent, the decision-maker fails to take into account the results of environmental impact assessment or disregards the environmental measures contained in the report, the decision-maker must state the reasons for the decision to grant or refuse to grant development consent.
(3) The decision-maker will refuse to grant development consent if the developer is not able to comply with the environmental measures which are determined upon granting the development consent.
3) an overview of the involvement of the public, including an explanation on how the opinions of the public and, where relevant, of the affected state that participated in the environmental impact assessment proceedings in a transboundary context have been taken into account upon making the decision.
(1) The Environmental Board carries out the ex-post evaluation of environmental impact assessment on the basis of the results of environmental monitoring.
(2) The decision-maker is required to forward the results of environmental monitoring within 30 days after receipt of the results to the Environmental Board for ex-post evaluation.
(3) If it becomes evident in the course of ex-post evaluation that the results of environmental monitoring refer to a violation of the requirements provided for in legislation or in the development consent, the decision-maker will, on a proposal of the Environmental Board, initiate proceedings for the amendment of the conditions of the development consent.
(1) In addition to the provisions of subsection 3 (1) of this Act, the environmental impact of the proposed activity may, if the developer so prefers, be assessed in the course of preparation of building design documentation in accordance with the procedure provided for in this Act, taking account of the specifications arising from this section.
(1) In addition to the provisions of subsection 3 (1) of this Act, environmental impact is assessed in the course of drawing up a project for reconditioning exhausted land, where relevant.
(2) For the purposes of this section, the developer is the holder of an environmental permit for extraction of mineral resources.
(4) If an environmental impact assessment is carried out upon reconditioning exhausted land, the environmental impact assessment report will form a separate part of the exhausted land reconditioning project.
(1) In addition to the provisions of subsection 3 (1) of this section, the environmental impact of the closure of a landfill may be assessed in the course of preparation of the project to close the landfill in accordance with the procedure provided for in this Act, taking account of the specifications arising from this section.
(5) Upon preparing a project for the closure of a landfill, the results of the environmental impact assessment must be taken into account.
2) the decision-maker will send the environmental impact assessment report to the manager of the protected natural object for approval before verifying compliance with the requirements in accordance with § 22 of this Act.
(2) Development consent may be granted if permitted by the protection procedure of the Natura 2000 site and the decision-maker is convinced that the proposed activity does not have an adverse impact on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site or on the purpose of protection thereof.
(3) If, regardless of the potential significant adverse impact of the proposed activity on a Natura 2000 site, the activity is still necessary for the public for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, and due to the lack of alternative solutions, development consent may be granted with the consent of the Government of the Republic.
(4) In the event specified in subsection (3) of this section, the obligation to take compensatory measures must be imposed upon granting development consent, in order to ensure the protection of the overall cohesiveness of the Natura 2000 network. The Ministry of the Environment will inform the European Commission of the established compensatory measures immediately after the development consent has been granted. The activities specified in the development consent must not be commenced before the compensatory measures have been taken.
(5) If the proposed activity potentially impacts a priority natural habitat type or priority species present within a Natura 2000 site within the meaning of Council Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.07.1992, pp. 7–50) on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, the Government of the Republic may grant development consent only if the proposed activity is related to human health, public safety or a significant positive impact on the state of the environment. In the event of other imperative reasons of overriding public interest, development consent may be granted only after obtaining the opinion of the European Commission. The activity specified in the development consent must not be commenced before the compensatory measures have been taken.
(3) If the potentially significant environmental impact of a proposed activity is likely to be transboundary or if the affected state so requests, the Ministry of the Environment will give the affected state, as soon as possible, but no later than when the decision-maker gives a notice of the initiation of the environmental impact assessment in Estonia, a notice concerning the initiation of environmental impact assessment along with a description of the proposed activity and information concerning the transboundary impact potentially accompanying the proposed activity. The affected state will be given at least 30 days as of the date of receipt of the notice concerning the initiation of environmental impact assessment to respond to the notice.
(6) At the request of the affected state, its representative is permitted to participate in environmental impact assessment proceedings and consultations are commenced concerning environmental impact resulting from the proposed activity and environmental measures to be taken.
(9) The Ministry of the Environment will notify the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates of its intention to participate in environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context and of the need for consultations by the time prescribed by the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates. The Ministry of the Environment will give notice of the publication of the documents on environmental impact assessment in the manner specified in subsections 16 (2) and (3) of this Act. The Ministry of the Environment will send the proposals and objections submitted regarding the documents on environmental impact assessment to the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates.
3) a spatial plan, programme or strategy the obligation of drawing up of which arises from a law or another legislative act issued on the basis of an authority-delegating provision contained in a law and which is drawn up or established by an administrative authority or drawn up by an administrative authority and adopted by the Riigikogu, the Government of the Republic or another administrative authority.
For the purposes of this Act, ‘strategic environmental assessment’ means assessment arranged with the participation of the public and the authorities concerned for the purpose of identifying the significant environmental impact arising from the implementation of a strategic planning document, identification of alternatives and finding measures minimising the adverse impact, the results of which are taken into account upon preparing the strategic planning document and on which a proper report is drawn up.
4) serves as the basis for an activity which, according to objective information, may alone or in conjunction with other activities potentially significantly adversely affect the protection purpose of a Natura 2000 site and which is not directly related to or necessary for the protection procedure of the site.
4) a detailed plan regulating an activity that belongs to the field specified in subsection 6 (2) of this Act and that is specified in a regulation established on the basis of subsection 6 (4) of this Act is drawn up.
(21) A spatial plan for the purposes of the Planning Act is subject to strategic environmental impact in accordance with the procedure established in the Planning Act.
6) the potential impact on a Natura 2000 site.
(6) Upon deciding on the need for the strategic environmental assessment in the events specified in subsection (2) of this section, all the authorities concerned must be asked for an opinion before making a decision, submitting to them the draft decision drawn up on the basis of the criteria set out in clauses 1) and 2) of subsection (3) and in subsections (4) and (5) of this section so that they could formulate an opinion.
(1) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document is responsible for carrying out strategic environmental assessment and covers the expenses related thereto. To cover the expenses of strategic environmental assessment serving as the basis for preparation of building design documentation, the coordinator of preparation of the plan may enter into a contract specified in subsection 4 (21) of the Planning Act.
(2) The initiator of the preparation of a strategic planning document initiates or refuses to initiate a strategic environmental assessment. If the initiator of the preparation of a strategic planning document and the coordinator of preparation thereof do not overlap, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document may initiate the strategic environmental assessment.
(3) The public displays of the strategic environmental assessment programme and report and, thereafter, public consultations are organised by the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document.
6) has submitted to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document a signed confirmation that the leading expert complies with the requirements established in clauses 1) to 5) of this subsection, knows the principles of strategic environmental assessment, procedure and assessment-related legislation, and is impartial and objective upon strategic environmental assessment.
(5) The environmental impact arising from the implementation of a detailed plan may be assessed by or the assessment may be led by a leading expert who complies with subsection 14 (1) of this Act.
(6) If the qualifications of the leading expert are not sufficient for the strategic assessment of a certain environmental impact, the leading expert must involve specialists of the respective field in the strategic environmental assessment.
(7) The compliance of the leading expert with the requirements specified in subsection (4) or (5) of this section is verified by the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document.
(8) The leading expert will prepare the strategic environmental assessment programme and report in cooperation with the author of the strategic planning document.
(9) The author of the strategic planning document may perform the functions of leading expert if the person complies with the qualification requirements for leading experts.
(1) If strategic environmental assessment is initiated on the basis of subsection 33 (1) of this Act, the initiation of or refusal to initiate the strategic environmental assessment will be decided simultaneously with the initiation of the preparation of the strategic planning document. If the initiator of the preparation of the strategic planning document and the coordinator of preparation thereof do not overlap, strategic environmental assessment may be initiated by the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document after the initiation of the preparation of the document.
(11) If the need for strategic environmental assessment becomes evident only in the course of preparation of the strategic planning document, strategic environmental assessment will be initiated immediately.
(3) If strategic environmental assessment is initiated or not initiated upon initiation of preparation of a strategic planning document specified in subsection 33 (2) of this Act, a relevant justification will be appended to the decision.
(6) A decision to initiate or not to initiate strategic environmental assessment will, within 14 days after making the decision, be given notice of in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded and in at least one national newspaper or one local newspaper as well as by electronic means, by regular mail or by registered mail to an authority specified in subsection 33 (6) of this section.
(1) After strategic environmental assessment is initiated, the leading expert of strategic environmental assessment will, in cooperation with the author of the strategic planning document, prepare a strategic environmental assessment programme.
9) describe the opinions submitted by the authorities concerned in accordance with § 361 of this Act.
(1) Before the publication of a strategic environmental assessment programme in accordance with § 37 of this Act, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document must ask for an opinion on the content of the programme from all the authorities concerned. To ask for the opinions, the author of the strategic planning document will submit the strategic environmental assessment programme to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document.
(2) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will check the compliance of the programme with the requirements provided for in subsection 36 (2) of this Act within 14 days as of the receipt of the strategic environmental assessment programme and submit it to the relevant authorities for the submission of an opinion.
(3) If the strategic environmental assessment programme does not comply with the requirements provided for in subsection 36 (2) of this Act, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will return to the author of the strategic planning document along with reasons and correction proposals.
(4) Within 30 days from the receipt of the strategic environmental assessment programme, the authority concerned will, based on its field of competence, submit to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document an opinion, among other things, on the adequacy and sufficiency of the programme. Upon examination of the documentation, the authority must verify the sufficiency of the composition of the expert group.
(5) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will examine the opinions of the authorities concerned within 14 days as of the receipt of the opinions and submit to the author of the strategic planning document and to the leading expert its opinion on the adequacy and sufficiency of the strategic environmental assessment programme, taking into account the opinions submitted by the authorities concerned.
(6) The leading expert or the expert group, jointly with the author of the strategic planning document, will correct and modify the programme on the basis of subsection (5) of this section and explain the why the opinions were taken into account or disregarded. The author of the strategic planning document will submit the modified strategic environmental assessment programme to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document. Copies of the letters of the authorities concerned will be added to the programme.
(7) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document examines the corrected and modified strategic environmental assessment programme, including whether the opinions of the authorities concerned have been taken into account or not, thereby involving in the proceedings the authority concerned whose position was not taken into account, where necessary.
(1) Within 14 days from the receipt of the programme, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will notify of a public display of the strategic environmental assessment programme and of the holding of a public consultation in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded, in a newspaper and on its website as well as by electronic means, by regular mail or by registered mail inform the authorities and persons specified in clause 36 (2) 6) of this Act, the organisation uniting non-governmental environmental organisations and the authorities specified in subsection 361 (1) of this Act.
(3) The public display of a strategic environmental assessment programme and the public consultation regarding the programme thereafter will be organised by the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document. The public display must last for no less than 14 days.
(31) Among other things, the opinions submitted by the authorities concerned and received in the course of the public consultation are introduced and the reasons of taking into account or disregarding of proposals and objections are explained at the public consultation of the strategic environmental assessment programme.
(5) The author of the strategic planning document will, in cooperation with the leading expert, make the necessary corrections and modifications to the strategic environmental assessment programme on the basis of the proposals and objections submitted at the time of the public display and public consultation. Taking proposals and objections into account will be described and refusal to take proposals and objections into account will be justified in the modified programme or an annex thereto.
(1) After the public consultation regarding a strategic environmental assessment programme, the author of the strategic planning document will submit the programme along with the proposals, objections and questions submitted regarding the programme, copies of letters specified in subsection 37 (6) of this Act and report of the public consultation to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document for verification of its compliance with the requirements.
(3) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will make a decision to declare the strategic environmental assessment programme compliant with the requirements on the basis of subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Within 14 days after making a decision specified in subsection (3) of this section, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will inform the parties to the proceedings and the persons who are likely to be affected by the activity proposed on the basis of the strategic planning document or who may have a reasoned interest therein about the making of the decision and publish a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded.
3) the time and place of accessing the strategic environmental assessment programme and the decision specified in subsection (3) of this section.
(6) If the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document identifies that the strategic environmental assessment programme does not comply with the requirements verified in accordance with subsection (2) of this section, the person will return the programme to the author of the strategic planning document and the latter will modify the programme and thereafter submit it to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document for verifying compliance with the requirements.
(1) A strategic environmental assessment report is a document that forms a part of the strategic planning document and contains information specified in subsections (2) to (4) of this section.
(5) In the event of emergence of additional circumstances in the course of preparation of the strategic environmental assessment report, the strategic environmental impact assessment programme declared compliant with the requirements in accordance with subsection 39 (3) of this Act may be deviated from in a reasoned event stated in the report. Respective reasons must be set out in the strategic environmental assessment report and if the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document or the authority concerned who gives its opinion in the report does not consent to deviation from the programme, the report must be modified in accordance with the programme.
(1) The opinion of the authorities concerned is asked on the strategic environmental assessment report in accordance with the procedure set out in § 361 of this Act.
(2) Within 21 days from the receipt of the strategic environmental assessment report, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will verify the compliance of the report with the requirements provided for in § 40 of this Act and the adequacy and sufficiency of the report.
The strategic environmental assessment report will be published and the results of the publication will be taken into account in accordance with § 37 of this Act, except for the time limit of a public display of the report, which is as long as that of a public display of the draft strategic planning document, but not shorter than 21 days.
(1) After the public consultation of the strategic environmental assessment report, the author of the strategic planning document will submit the report to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document for verification of the compliance of the report with the requirements.
(2) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will send the strategic environmental impact assessment report to the authorities concerned for approval.
(3) The authority concerned, based on its field of competence, will approve or refuse to approve the environmental impact assessment report within 30 days from the receipt of the report. The authority specified in subsection 23 (2) of this Act will assess, among other things, the compliance of the report with the requirements of subsection 40 (4) of this Act.
2) the report contains insufficient information that affects the final conclusions of the report and, as a result thereof, a significant adverse environmental impact may arise from the implementation of the strategic planning document.
(6) The coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will make a decision to declare the strategic environmental assessment report compliant with the requirements on the basis of subsection (5) of this section.
(7) Within 14 days after making a decision specified in subsection (6) of this section, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will inform the parties to the proceedings and the persons who are likely to be affected by the activity proposed on the basis of the strategic planning document or who may have a reasoned interest therein about the making of the decision and publish a notice in the official publication Ametlikud Teadaanded.
3) the time and place of accessing the strategic environmental assessment report and the decision specified in subsection (6) of this section.
(9) If the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document finds that the strategic environmental assessment report does not comply with the requirements provided for in subsection (5) of this section, the author of the strategic planning document must submit a modified report to the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document for the purpose of verification of compliance.
(10) If the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document finds that the strategic environmental assessment report complies with the requirements, the coordinator will make a proposal on the monitoring measures in the decision specified in subsection (6) of this section. The purpose of the monitoring measures is to identify at an early stage whether significant environmental impact arises from the implementation of the strategic planning document and to take measures that prevent and mitigate adverse environmental impact.
(11) The person who adopted the strategic planning document must establish the monitoring measures along with the establishment of the strategic planning document or submit upon the establishment of the strategic planning document the reasons why the monitoring measures developed in the course of strategic environmental assessment are not established.
(12) The established monitoring measures are mandatory to the person implementing the strategic planning document. Upon carrying out monitoring, the existing environmental monitoring system or monitoring proposed for monitoring the environmental impact arising from the implementation of the strategic planning document may be used. Monitoring may be carried out in the course of the activities proposed on the basis of one or several strategic planning documents.
2) the affected state that participated in transboundary consultations.
2) the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document will send the strategic environmental assessment report to the manager of the protected natural object for approval before verifying compliance with the requirements in accordance with § 42 of this Act.
(2) A strategic planning document may be established if permitted by the protection procedure of the Natura 2000 site and the person who adopted the strategic planning document is convinced that the proposed activities do not have an adverse impact on the integrity of the Natura 2000 site or on the purpose of protection thereof.
(3) If, regardless of the potential adverse impact resulting from implementation of a strategic planning document on a Natura 2000 site, the activity is still necessary for imperative reasons of overriding public interest, including those of a social or economic nature, and due to the lack of alternative solutions, the strategic planning document may be established with the consent of the Government of the Republic.
(4) Upon establishment of a strategic planning document in the event specified in subsection (3) of this Act, the obligation to take compensatory measures must be imposed in order to ensure the protection of the overall cohesion of the Natura 2000 network. The Ministry of the Environment will inform the European Commission of the established compensatory measures immediately after the establishment of the strategic planning document. The activity proposed by the strategic planning document must not be commenced before the compensatory measures have been taken.
(5) If the strategic planning document is likely to have an adverse impact on a priority natural habitat type or priority species present in a Natura 2000 site within the meaning of Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, the Government of the Republic may grant consent only if it is related to human health, public safety or a significant positive impact on the state of the environment. In the event of other public priority and extremely compelling reasons, the planning document may be established only after obtaining the opinion of the European Commission. The activity proposed by the strategic planning document must not be commenced before the compensatory measures have been taken.
3) the Republic of Estonia participates in the strategic environmental assessment of transboundary environmental impact originating from the territory of another state.
(2) If strategic environmental assessment is initiated regarding a strategic planning document whose implementation is likely to result in a significant environmental impact on the environment of another state or if the likelihood of occurrence of significant environmental impact in a transboundary context becomes evident upon preparation of a strategic environmental assessment programme or report, the coordinator of preparation of the strategic planning document must immediately inform the Ministry of the Environment thereof.
(21) In the event specified in subsection (2) of this section, the Ministry of the Environment will send to the state that is likely to be significantly affected a notice as soon as possible, but not later than as of the notification of the commencement of strategic environmental assessment in the Republic of Estonia. If the Ministry of the Environment is informed of the possibility of occurrence of significant environmental impact in a transboundary context at the time of preparation of the strategic environmental assessment programme or report, the Ministry of the Environment will send to the state that is likely to be significantly affected a notice as soon as possible, but not later than at the time of publication of the programme or report in the Republic of Estonia.
(61) If the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates sends to the Ministry of the Environment a notice of the environmental impact resulting from the implementation of the strategic planning document on the environment of the other state, the Ministry of the Environment will submit to the state of origin its position on participating in strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context and on the need for consultations by the time set by the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates.
(62) In the event of participating in strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context, the Ministry of the Environment will give notice of the publication of the documents on strategic environmental assessment in a transboundary context in the manner specified in subsection 37 (1) of this Act and will send the proposals and objections submitted regarding the documents on the strategic environmental assessment to the state in which the transboundary environmental impact originates.
(2) In this Act, the definitions ‘environmental verifier’ and ‘organisation’ have the meaning given in Articles 2(20) and 2(21) of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(3) Verification means organisational assessment conducted by a verifier to ensure that the environmental policy, the environmental management system and auditing procedures comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(4) ‘Approval’ means assessment of the environmental report by a verifier to verify whether the information and data submitted in the environmental report of the organisation are reliable, credible, correct and comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(1) In accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the competent body to register organisations is the Ministry of the Environment having the right to delegate authority to an authority within the area of government of the Ministry of the Environment.
(2) Organisations are registered in accordance with the procedure provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(1) The environmental verifier is accredited by the Estonian Accreditation Centre or by an internationally acknowledged accreditation organisation.
(11) The minister responsible for the field may by a public law contract delegate the task of the supervision of the accreditation of environmental verifiers and steps taken by environmental verifiers to a legal person in private law specified in subsection (1) of this section. The public law contract will be concluded by the minister responsible for the field in accordance with the procedure established in the Administrative Cooperation Act.
(12) The Ministry of the Environment exercises supervision over the performance of a public law contract concluded on the basis of subsection (11) of this section.
(13) If a public law contract is terminated unilaterally or there is another reason that prevents the performance of the administrative function specified in the contract, the Ministry of the Environment will organise further performance of the administrative function.
(2) The requirements for the qualifications and accreditation of environmental verifiers arise from Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
(1) The voluntary Community ecolabel (hereinafter ecolabel) award scheme has been established by Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the EU Ecolabel (OJ L, 30.01.2010, pp. 1–19).
(2) In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council, the competent body is the Ministry of the Environment with the right to delegate authority to an authority within the area of government of the Ministry of the Environment.
(1) The penalty for violation of the requirement for environmental impact assessment or strategic environmental assessment is a fine of up to 300 fine units.
(2) The penalty for the same act committed by a legal person is a fine of up to 3200 euros.
(1) The penalty for violation of conditions for the use of the Community environmental management and environmental audit scheme logo or the Community eco-label is a fine of up to 300 fine units.
(2) The Environmental Inspectorate conducts extra-judicial proceedings in the misdemeanour cases provided for in § 53 of this Act.
(3) Extrajudicial proceedings of the misdemeanours provided for in § 54 of this Act are conducted by the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.
(7) If the leading expert has failed to submit an application by the date specified in subsection (3) of this section, the Minister of the Environment will revoke the licence of the leading expert.
(9) Environmental impact assessment licences granted before the entry into force of this provision are considered to be leading expert licences and the fields of activity and areas of impact specified therein will remain in force until the expiry of the licence. Upon renewal of the term of validity of an environmental impact assessment licence issued before the entry into force of this provision, the fields of activity or areas of impact will not be indicated in the licence.
(10) Subsection 18 (7) of this Act applies to environmental impact assessment proceedings initiated between 1 July 2015 and the entry into force of this subsection in the wording in force on the day of entry into force of this subsection.
(11) The wording of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act in force at the time of initiation of environmental impact assessment applies to an application for development consent that sets out an activity with regard to which environmental impact assessment has been initiated before the entry into force of this provision.
(12) The wording of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management System Act in force at the time of submission of an application for development consent applies to the application submitted before the entry into force of this provision whereby no decision has been made on the initiation or refusal to initiate environmental impact assessment.
1 Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.07.1992, pp. 7–50), last amended by Directive 2013/17/EU (OJ L 158, 10.06.2013, pp. 193–229); Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (OJ L 197, 21.07.2001, pp. 30–37); 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 (OJ L 26, 28.01.2012, pp. 1–21); Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 124, 25.04.2014, pp. 1–18).

References: § 16
 § 13
 § 13
 § 20
 § 151
 § 20
 § 20
 § 22
 § 361
 § 37
 § 361
 § 40
 § 37
 § 42
 § 53
 § 54