MOSCOW, March 18, 2004. (RIA Novosti) -- The Federal Centre will conclude an agreement on delegating the responsibilities of managing forest resources with every subject of the Federation. Russian Minister of Economic Development and Trade German Gref disclosed this to journalists, when commenting on the new wording of the Forest Code.
According to him, it is the regional authorities, which will hold auctions for the right to receive a plot of forest and to use it. "Auctions are the only way to receive the right to leasing," Mr. Gref said. In case the regional authorities violate the established rules, the agreement with them will be cancelled and the functions, provided for by it, will go over to an authorised federal body.
