The forest is being cut down - fines are flying: firewood in Russia will be controlled using IT technologies

The fight against "black lumberjacks" is moving to a new level. Who should be afraid of a fine, and for whom firewood will become inaccessible - read on.

The gas leader has wood-burning stoves

Although Russia is considered a gas monopoly, and for many townspeople a bundle of firewood is almost exotic, stove heating in rural houses is still common. Summer cottages with a bath are also not uncommon.

Russians need about 40-50 million cubic meters of firewood a year. And this is about 20% of the total volume of all legal timber harvesting in the country. Alas, significant volumes of timber are illegally exported from the country. Especially untreated "round timber". But soon, from January 1, 2022, a complete ban on the export of such wood is expected - unprocessed coniferous and valuable deciduous timber.

Keeping track of every chip

Victoria Abramchenko, Deputy Prime Minister, believes that the authorities have virtually no supervisory functions. 10-30 million cubic meters of forest are illegally cut down every year. But this is only a rough estimate. And nobody knows the real volumes. Today, according to the official, the logs are sold in any quantity - without confirming the origin and legality of the sawn timber.

A unified state forest register has not yet been created. In addition to laying the foundation for this authority, Abramchenko plans to systematize the procurement, transportation and sale of firewood. For this, electronic accompanying documents will be used. All information must be entered into the system. So all the chains of the "movement" of wood can be controlled. And at any stage, without confirmation of the legality of the timber, the deal will "hang", it will not be possible to sell such a product. Mandatory registration of all logging equipment is planned.

Illegal equipment will be seized. This means that ordinary consumers are likely to find it more difficult to acquire firewood - if control over logging really becomes as tough as the authorities promise.

Forest inspectors are in short supply

Forest inspectors must monitor compliance with the law. In the meantime, there are not enough such workers, and the accountable territory for each of them is large. For example, one forest inspector of Rosprirodnadzor should have no more than 11.5 thousand hectares. And in some districts, in fact, it is 80 thousand hectares per employee. It's almost impossible to trace.

In 2022, the Federal Forestry Agency will be transformed into a special service, where more forest inspectors will work (an initiative of Vladimir Putin). But, as Abramchenko noted, such a procedure could be introduced in the central office of the agency for the territories this year. So far, however, only in five territories - where there are most cases of illegal logging in the country.

Firewood for free - a fairy tale?

According to article 30 of the Forest Code, different categories of citizens (beneficiaries) once a year have the right to harvest timber for their own needs - heating, construction of buildings. These are pensioners, large families, disabled people, small peoples of the North, etc. The trees need to be cut down and taken out on their own. The resource is provided in each region according to its own rules. To calculate the volume, the climatic features of a particular area are taken into account.

You need to write an application to the MFC and get a lumber ticket (permit for felling). However, in reality it is more difficult. We have to face bureaucracy. And trips to the authorities make firewood not entirely free. Some are refused because the forestry specified by the applicant is not enough to harvest the required volumes of wood with the required quality indicators. And not everyone can count on free firewood. It is necessary to documentarily prove that you are heating the house with wood.

The application is considered by the commission and after 10 days it gives an answer. There is the possibility of submitting an application through the State Services website. Solid bureaucracy!

Deadwood - with permission

Since 2018, deadwood can be collected in any volume - without the danger of getting a fine (before that, a lease agreement for the site was needed). But first you need to take a lumber ticket from the leshoz. Although clearing the land from dead wood is considered beneficial for the forest.

The remains of trunks and branches are referred to deadwood. But not logging residues after logging operations. In some regions, you cannot use any equipment. For example, in the Penza region, when collecting deadwood, saws and loppers are prohibited. The fine is up to 5 thousand rubles.

Cutting down dead trees is not permitted. This may be considered illegal logging. Windbreaks and windfall trees cannot be cut down either. This can be considered wood theft. Under article 8.28 of the Administrative Code, illegal logging is subject to an administrative fine of 3-4 thousand rubles. If we are talking about significant amounts, then the responsibility is already criminal - in accordance with Article 260 of the Criminal Code. Fines can amount to millions of rubles (or imprisonment for up to 7 years).

Do you heat with wood or use it only for barbecue? Write in the comments!

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