Estonian–Russian border area now cleared 20.12

The average width of the cleared border line is 10 metres, although there are locations spanning up to 300 metres. A total of 28,600 m³ of timber and 6000 m³ of cutting waste and stem wood, to be used in making wood chips, were collected from the border region. The border clearing operation cost EUR 1.3 million, of which stump milling costs amounted to EUR 400,000. The costs of the works will be covered from the proceeds of selling timber. 

According to Tavo Uuetalu, member of the management board of RMK, the clearing works on the border were meaningful for RMK. “First of all, there was great symbolic value involved, and I would like to take the opportunity here to thank our partners for the excellent work performed,” he said, mentioning Diksoonia OÜ, self-employed farmer Kuldar Kiisler’s Sarapiku Farm, Dammix AS and handsaw operators from Peipsi Kalamees AS. “As far as the practical side is concerned, the project was marked by difficult topography – lots of marshy areas, hills and mountains. The slopes were especially steep by the River Piusa, making it difficult to manoeuvre milles,” Uuetalu said. “And the weather, too, was not agreeable, neither last year or this year; however, tremendous work has been completed and RMK has made its contribution to the construction of the national border.”  

The clearance works were also interrupted due to the area being divided between many different landowners. According to Helen Neider-Veerme, head of the Police and Border Guard Board's Integrated Border Management Bureau, negotiations with landowners took a personal approach and also included, in addition to the clarification of proposals, additional information measures; landowners were also given time to examine the proposals and consult with specialists. Sometimes landowners would change during negotiations and the process had to be repeated. Notarisation of transactions also took time. “Thanks to the personal approach, the whole process was somewhat longer than planned; however, it helped landowners better understand the essence of the proposals and today most of the negotiations have been fully completed,” Neider-Veerme said.  

RMK started to clear the area of the border line between Estonia and Russia on 31 October 2014. During the works, RMK cut the forest and brush on the border line, milled stumps and organised the removal of the timber cut. In addition to clearing land from brush, RMK also removed fallen trees and beaver dams from the border areas.

RMK is the keeper, protector and manager of the forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Republic of Estonia. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing reforestation material, and organising forest and nature conservation works. In addition, RMK provides opportunities for nature walking in recreational and protected areas and shapes nature awareness. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, AS Eesti Metsataim and the Põlula Fish Farm.