The State Duma is working on the transfer of the Losiny Ostrov national park to the Moscow authorities

The State Duma adopted in the second reading a bill that allows the city authorities to transfer “powers to use” part of the Losiny Ostrov National Park (within Moscow). The goal is “ensuring the preservation and development of the national park.” At the same time, the construction of roads, bridges, transport hubs and infrastructure is allowed in the protected area in agreement with the government of the Russian Federation. The norm was submitted to the State Duma a week before the vote. The maneuver could turn the area into “an ordinary urban park with paths, bike paths and lighting,” the expert believes.

The draft amendments to the laws “On the Status of the Capital of the Russian Federation” and “On Specially Protected Natural Territories” were submitted to the State Duma by United Russia deputies Pyotr Tolstoy, Irina Belykh, Svetlana Razvorotneva and Tatyana Butskaya in May 2022. In the first reading, the bill discussed the reduction from 90 to 30 days of the period during which a migrant under the renovation program in Moscow must conclude an agreement on new housing (see “Kommersant” dated June 30, 2022). By the second reading, the document has changed dramatically. Thus, it is proposed to add Art. 15, describing the transfer to the city authorities of “the exercise of the powers of the federal authorities” on “a national park located within the boundaries of Moscow.” There is only one such park within the capital, Losiny Ostrov (with a total area of ​​116 sq. km). The document actually proposes to allow the construction of roads, bridges, transport hubs and other infrastructure there – in agreement with the government of the Russian Federation. The authority to “organize, operate, protect and use the territory of the national park and its buffer zone” is proposed to be transferred to the authorized capital body (on the basis of an appeal from the Moscow government). The government of the Russian Federation should determine the specific list of transferable powers.

Possible construction on the lands of “Elk Island” has previously become the cause of scandals. So, for more than ten years, the project of an understudy of the federal Shchelkovo highway has been discussed.

During this time, several scenarios were considered, including the laying of a new route through Losiny Ostrov. As a result, the idea was abandoned, in March 2023, Rosavtodor determined the approximate route of the understudy to the south of the existing A-103 highway. In addition, the courts challenged the legality of the construction of the Skazochny Les residential complex on the borders of Losiny Ostrov, and the Ministry of Natural Resources was going to sue in 2020 because of the possible construction of an residential complex in the buffer zone of the residential complex under the renovation program.

Sergei Pakhomov, head of the Duma committee on construction and housing and communal services, told parliament that the project is aimed at “accelerating the resettlement of citizens” as part of the renovation program. The norm on the national park was presented in a vague way – as necessary for “effective management of the part of the territory located within the boundaries of the city, but related to state property.” “Did I understand correctly that with the amendment to the second reading, we actually allow the construction of various infrastructure facilities on 30% of the territory of Losiny Ostrov?” – asked the deputy Georgy Arapov (“New People”). Sergei Pakhomov was brief: “No, it’s not.”

MP Galina Khovanskaya (“A Just Russia – For Truth”) was indignant that the amendment on national parks had nothing to do with the process of reducing the time for concluding contracts under the renovation program mentioned in the first reading.

At the same time, according to Ms. Khovanskaya, the new norms allow doing “anything you like” in Losiny Ostrov, albeit with agreement with the government of the Russian Federation. “This is completely unacceptable in specially protected areas,” Galina Khovanskaya said, adding that the amendment “cannot be accepted categorically.” However, Sergei Pakhomov assured that the project was discussed with the relevant Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko: “Not everything is allowed, but only to service and reconstruct what is already standing. From the new – it is allowed to place benches and small architectural forms. Any new intervention – only with the consent of the federal government. The bill was adopted in the second reading, the third reading is scheduled for June 28.

In the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, “Kommersant” was redirected for comments to the State Duma.

Mikhail Kreindlin, a member of the “Expert Council for Reserve Affairs” association, suggests that if Losiny Ostrov is transferred, “it will be an ordinary city park with paved bike paths and lighting.” “It will no longer have natural value,” says Mr. Kreindlin.

Alexander Voronov, Polina Yachmennikova