“The reality is that Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine is ongoing, and Russia was and is the biggest security threat to Estonia. Therefore, the urgent strengthening of Estonia’s national defence is indispensable. We have increased spending on national defence, purchased and are in the process of purchasing new arms and ammunition, and are increasing the number of both conscripts and ground troops. Improving training conditions is therefore essential, and one critical part of training is the development of training fields. In addition, it is crucial that our allies, including the US unit in Võru, can practice the defence of Estonia in the conditions here,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
The government decided to extend the training area on an accelerated basis for security reasons, for which the law allows a national defence exemption.
“Given the tense security situation, there is no way we can delay, and we must move ahead with building up our defence capabilities at full speed. I believe that people understand the necessity of such decisions both in Võru County and in Estonia as a whole. We have only one Estonia to defend and develop, and in the name of preserving freedom we must be ready to make decisions such as expanding the Nursipalu training field,” said Pevkur.
The Minister pointed out that the use of the national derogation does not mean that environmental impacts are neglected, and that the assessments already carried out show that negative environmental impacts can be avoided with a limited scope of action.
“The decision confirmed the new borders of the training field. It is important to understand that following a decision, only activities with excluded environmental impacts can be carried out. This means very limited activities, such as clearing and firing of small calibre weapons in planned clearance areas between September and the end of January. An impact assessment must be carried out and mitigating measures planned before other activities can be authorised. Only then can the government authorise these activities. Firing of large-calibre weapons is not allowed by today’s government decision,” the Defence Minister explained.
The government decision also launched a Natura Assessment. In addition, other environmental impacts will be assessed separately. They are prepared through inventories and studies, such as the noise and vibration study. Interested parties will be able to consult all the impact assessments before a government decision authorising the operation is taken.
In another decision, the government approved compensatory measures for local authorities to mitigate the significant disruptions caused by the use of the training field. This annual measure will increase by €1 million to €1.35 million, and the number of local authorities benefiting from it will be extended from nine to 16.
“The disturbance fee is higher than ever,” said Pevkur. “We have considered more the number of people living in the area of influence of the training fields. This support will help local authorities make investments to alleviate disturbances and improve the living environment. Whether it is the heating system in the school building, a cycle path or something else, the local community knows best.”
The state will pay the disturbance fee retroactively for 2023, both for local authorities that already meet the conditions for receiving compensation under the Regulation and for those whose territory is affected by the planned extensions, including the extension of the Nursipalu training field. The disturbance fee will be paid to 16 local authorities: Alutaguse parish, Anija parish, Antsla parish, Kadrina parish, Kiili parish, Kuusalu parish, Lääne-Harju parish, Narva-Jõesuu city, Pärnu city, Rõuge parish, Saarde parish, Saku parish, Tapa parish, Toila parish, Võru city, and Võru parish.
In addition to the annual grant approved by the government, four local authorities linked to Nursipalu will receive a one-off investment grant totalling €10 million to improve the quality of life in the community. The one-off investment grant will be €3 million for Võru parish, €2 million for Antsla parish, €2 million for Rõuge parish and €3 million for Võru city.
A grant paid directly to residents to mitigate sound and vibration disturbance in residential buildings is also in the works. More detailed conditions for implementation are under development.
Seven training fields have been established in Estonia, six of which are located in Northern or North-Eastern Estonia. Already in operation today, the Nursipalu training field is the only one of its kind in Southern Estonia.
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