The State Duma has adopted a law regulating the creation of forest roads

The State Duma adopted the law regulating the creation, maintenance and operation of forest roads in the second and third readings. The document was introduced by a group of senators and deputies led by Senator Yuri Vorobyov in December 2023 and adopted in the first reading more than a year ago - in March 2024.

The law introduces the concept of forest roads into the Forest Code and defines two types of them:

• forest management - for forest management work and forest protection measures;
• forest transport - for the removal of timber, transportation of goods and people.

The powers have also been clarified: forest management roads can be built by regional departments, institutions and participants in forest climate projects, forest transport roads - by land tenants. Mandatory compliance with environmental standards is also envisaged, especially in water protection zones.

Andrey Goncharov, First Vice President of the Russian Timber Association: “The adoption of the law on the creation of forest roads is a long-awaited and significant stage for the entire forestry industry. The Russian Timber Association has repeatedly raised this issue and, together with OPORA RUSSIA, made specific proposals for finalizing the draft. The list of instructions from the President following the meeting in February 2023 included a course for improving legal regulation in this area. Now, after the State Duma has approved the law, new opportunities are opening up for the planned and environmentally safe development of forest road infrastructure, as the law eliminates the legal uncertainty that previously caused disputes about the status of roads and the procedure for their creation.".

Ivan Sovetnikov, head of the Federal Forestry Agency: "We have really done a lot of work with our colleagues, we have gone through various legal difficulties and disputes, but nevertheless, the Forest Code now enshrines the concept of forest roads themselves. I believe that this law is one of the most important for the country's forestry industry.".

The law comes into force on September 1, 2026.