News

The Supreme Court of Estonia granted the appeal in cassation of environmental groups ARB and Estonian Society for Nature Conservation in part and annulled the Pärnu county plan for the Rail Baltic route in sections 3A, 4A and 4H of the route. The county plans for Harju and Rapla county remain in force. According to the Supreme Court’s Administrative Law Chamber, the Minister of Public Administration adopted the county plan unlawfully, since it has not been determined what impact Rail Baltic would have on the Luitemaa bird area that is next to the route. Natura assessment is always compulsory, if it cannot be ruled out on the basis of a preliminary estimate that the planned activity will have a significant impact on the objectives of a Natura protected area.