Following the entry into force of amendments to Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 309 “Regulations on Tree Felling Outside Forests”, the Nature Conservation Agency (the Agency) draws attention to the most significant changes in the tree protection process. The new procedure provides for more targeted involvement by the Agency – resources will be concentrated on the preservation of biologically valuable trees, notable trees (dižkoki) and rare species habitats, while simultaneously significantly reducing the administrative burden in cases where trees do not have a special protection status.

The main benefit of these amendments is more precisely defined priorities for the Agency. The changes to the regulations ensure that natural values are not irreversibly destroyed during tree management or construction processes, while speeding up approval processes in cases involving trees that are likely not habitats for protected species or that may have a lower biological and biodiversity value. The Agency invites landowners, municipalities and builders to pay attention to the main conditions that define the Agency's competence and responsibilities under the new procedure.

Paragraph 9 of the regulations clearly defines the scope of trees for which direct Agency authorisation is always required; these are:

• state-protected trees or notable trees (dižkoki),
• trees in protected dendrological plantings and protected avenues,
• trees of specially protected plant species and trees registered in the state natural data management system Ozols as a habitat for a specially protected species.

A municipal permit or building permit does not replace these requirements. The Agency reminds that even in cases where a tree has died or become dangerous, the simplified felling procedure does not apply to these trees, and an Agency permit must be obtained first, as such trees can also be habitats for specially protected species.

Municipalities must henceforth request an opinion from the Agency before issuing a felling permit in situations where biologically old trees and habitats of rare species, such as the hermit beetle (Osmoderma eremita), are most commonly found. An opinion is mandatory if:

• a tree is planned to be felled in parks, avenues or is an individual tree growing along state or municipal roads,
• in cultural monument territories and their protection zones,
• in the Baltic Sea and Riga Gulf coastal dune protection zone,
• as well as if the tree has reached the potential size of a notable tree – at least 90% of the circumference of a notable tree of that species (for example, for a common bird cherry, a municipal permit is required from a circumference of 1.1 metres, but an Agency opinion is only required from 1.5 metres).

At the same time, in state-protected nature areas, the requirement for an Agency opinion has henceforth been narrowed down to geological and geomorphological natural monuments of national importance.

The Agency must provide its opinion to the municipality within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the request. Henceforth, if an Agency opinion has not been received within the specified deadline, in accordance with the regulation, the tree felling is considered approved, and the municipality may make the final decision.

The Agency invites citizens and real estate developers to check nature data in the Ozols system (ozols.gov.lv) before planning any tree felling and to consult with the Agency's specialists in case of any uncertainty.