Confirmation letter regarding the purchase of the Vihula III dam

Confirmation letter regarding the purchase of the Vihula III dam

The Estonian Environment Agency is planning to purchase the Vihula III dam through the LIFE

IP CleanEst project and therefore the Estonian Environment Agency is asking CINEA for land

purchase approval.

The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the management of over 90% of state land and

both the Estonian Environment Agency and the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) belong

within the administration of the Ministry of the Environment. RMK manages 47% of Estonian

forest. RMK devotes attention to managing the landscapes sustainably and efficiently, ensuring

the preservation and augmentation of the ecological, economic, social and cultural assets. As of

2009, the RMK is also in charge of nature conservation works on state lands. RMK has substantial

expertise in restoring and improving migratory conditions for endangered fish species in inland

waters.

Vihula III dam removal and riverbed restoration can be financed from the European Commission

Cohesion Fund measures for the period 2021-2027. The lead group for the ongoing Cohesion

Fund measure focused on water habitats has to approve all the objects (dam removal and river

restoration projects) before implementation. The lead group consists of representatives of the

Estonian Environment Agency, the Environment Board, the RMK, the Ministry of the

Environment and the Environmental Investment Centre. RMK will guarantee that if the lead

group approves the Vihula III dam removal and river restoration project, then RMK will carry

out all the planned works.

Sincerely

(signed digitaly)

Kaupo Kohv

Head of the Department

Nature conservation department

RMK

Estonian Environment Agency

22.03.2023 No 3-6.1/2023/1981

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