Clarification regarding support for forest restoration following damage caused by natural disasters:

Regarding the latest amendment to the regulations on support for forest stands destroyed by natural disasters, we have contacted representatives of the European Commission and received verbal confirmation that such support is also possible in cases where a forest stand that has been planted or restored under a support project (including a project that has not yet been completed) has been damaged, as the regulation does not exclude such a possibility. The only condition is that there must be confirmation that a natural disaster has affected the relevant area. In our case, this is the opinion of the State Forest Service (point 21 of Regulation No. 455), which will henceforth be used for all impacts of abiotic factors. (We are, however, still awaiting written confirmation of this from the Commission.)
A nuance regarding ongoing projects – it is important that the area has been recognised as restored or planted; this is the moment from which, in accordance with the provisions of our regulatory enactments, we can refer to a forest stand (the fact of forest stand recognition).

In accordance with point 21 of Regulation No. 455, support is granted for forest restoration in an area where, according to the opinion of the State Forest Service (hereinafter – VMD), a fire has been identified or damage has occurred due to the influence of abiotic factors, resulting in the destruction of the forest stand or a part thereof. Consequently, an area where the basal area of the forest stand (the corresponding number of trees in the young stand) is below the critical level can be submitted for support. Taking into account the definition of a forest stand contained in Article 1, Paragraph 31 of the Forest Law – a forest stand is a forest with homogeneous forest growth conditions, tree species composition, and age. Within the meaning of the Forest Law, species composition is also a parameter that characterises different forest stands. Therefore, in cases where plantations containing a mixture of undamaged naturally regenerated trees have been destroyed by the influence of abiotic factors, the fact of the destruction of the forest stand is to be assessed according to the originally recorded forest stand composition and the number of trees. For example, if a forest stand has been recognised as restored and its composition was 7E3B (2000 trees) and the planted spruce has perished due to a natural disaster, then such an area can be submitted for support under the sub-measure 'Restoration of forest stands destroyed in forest fires and natural disasters', even if the number of naturally regenerated trees in this area ensures the development of a productive forest stand, because the originally restored forest stand can be considered destroyed. If the proportion of the planted tree species is lower (e.g., original composition 6E4B), then the forest stand will not meet the criterion of a destroyed forest stand, because, in the case of spruce and birch, the critical basal area is 800 trees per hectare, and a forest stand is considered destroyed if the number of trees is below these 800 trees per hectare.