A Word on the Treatment of the People of Nursipalu by the Estonian Government

© RKIK

This bigger training field would contain 4 tactical operational fields and shooting areas, along with four UXO areas, into which missiles and other explosives can be shot in practice capacity. For those interested in a more details, here is the link for the official interactive map application detailing the area involved in the planned enlargement: https://estmilgeo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e1f9ced4d22f40e790215c2a262fec31

217 privately owned pieces of land fall under the area the military wants to acquire, of these 217, 21 hold households.[5]

On the 22nd of November, a letter was sent to all landholders in the area from the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment, blandly stating that:

“[…] the property or properties in your ownership are within the area of interest of the planned Nursipalu training field expansion and we are interested in entering negotiations to find an agreed solution for the acquirement [by the state] of the property.”[6] (translated from Estonian)

Over the couple months following the initial news, government officials organised meetings in community centres of the different affected towns to further explain the decision to the people. Officials, expecting to meet willing and complying individuals, were instead confronted with people expressing their utter discontent. Whether it be at being disregarded in the making of such a big decision, that could very likely be personally disturbing (noise levels, etc.) or, even more so, being expected to give up their homes for a future potential greater good. This sentiment of letdown was only made stronger by a lack of clear communication before and unpreparedness from legislators and spokespeople during said meetings and previous attempts of inquiry. It also didn’t help, that when asked for an estimate of money the people affected would receive from the government, the first offer was simply that of the market price of the land or house in question (which is often quite meagre in this area, especially for older houses), without any extra reparations.

Despite all said backlash, the Estonian government stuck to their guns (excuse the pun) and pressed for a rapid process. Over the beginning of 2023 the Estonian Weapons Act was changed in order to in turn implement the Acquisition of Immovables in Public Interest Act. This made it so the enlargement could be carried out without as many official steps of planning and the building on the government-owned lands could already be started. This, of course, would add pressure on the people of Nursipalu.

At the same time a nonprofit organisation called Meie Nursipalu (Our Nursipalu), was started, which raises awareness on the issue and also tries to impact the government’s decisions through different angles (protests, legal battles, evoking the nature and heritage conservation aspects, etc.). Simultaneously, some of the people concerned have unified behind a lawyer, communicating directly to officials of the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment, pushing to understand many of the more hidden or confusing aspects of their plan.

Some of the questions asked have been:

-   Have other places been considered for this training field, that would not impact as many people’s lives?

-   Whether the government could find other, equivalent in value, places for the people concerned to move to (instead of leaving it to them to find some random place with the meagre su of money provided)?

-   Whether houses could be moved to said other place by the government or military?

-   Could the government pay reparations to the people of Nursipalu? Especially those who cannot move to a place equivalent in value?

-   How does the government plan to deal with the emotional or historical value of the concerned households?

-   Could the borders of the planned enlargement be slightly modified in order to leave out some of the households near the border?

These questions have been answered to varying degrees by officials. They have mostly been quite unyielding in their overall plan, however instead of simply offering the market price with no extra reparations or help, the government is now much more generous with both money and aid.

By now, almost a year has passed since the plan for enlarging the Nursipalu training field was first declared. The government has understood that people are not ready to simply comply and that they are going to fight for their homes. Over the summer of 2023 some households and pieces of land were assessed for value and a couple people have shown interest in selling, but not the majority. Presently, most habitants of the area have been left alone, and instead efforts have been concentrated on developing the land owned by the State. This, though not putting direct pressure to sell on private land- or homeowners, is still a clear step in the direction of the training field, showing to the uncomplying people that at one point they too will have to give in. However, it leaves more time to think, to plan, and maybe even act out in protection of one’s own home.

[1] Anonymous, ‘Nursipalu training area’, Wikipedia [website], 30/07/2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursipalu_training_area>, accessed 19/09/2023.

[2] Anonymous, ‘Nursipalu’, Eesti kaitsevägi [webpage], 14/09/2023, <https://mil.ee/kaitsevagi/harjutusvaljad/nursipalu/>, accessed 19/09/2023.

[3] Anonymous, ‘Võru’, Wikipedia [website], 09/06/2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%B5ru>, 19/09/2023.

[4] Anonymous, ‘Nursipalu laiendamisega seotud informatsiooni kokkuvõte’, Riigi kaitseinvesteeringute keskus [webpage], n.d., <https://www.kaitseinvesteeringud.ee/nursipalu-laiendus/>, 19/09/2023.

[5] Kalmaru, E., ‘Nursipalu harjutusvälja laiendamine’, Võru vald [webpage], n.d., <https://voruvald.ee/nursipalu-harjutusvali>, accessed 19/09/2023.

[6] Riigi Kaitseinveteeringute Keskus (Estonian Centre for Defence Investment), first email to the landowners concerned by the Nursipalu military field enlargement, ‘Austatud maaomanik’, 22/11/2022.

Bibliography:

Anonymous, ‘Nursipalu’, Eesti kaitsevägi [webpage], 14/09/2023, <https://mil.ee/kaitsevagi/harjutusvaljad/nursipalu/>, accessed 19/09/2023.

Anonymous, ‘Nursipalu laiendamisega seotud informatsiooni kokkuvõte’, Riigi kaitseinvesteeringute keskus [webpage], n.d., <https://www.kaitseinv979-8397364621esteeringud.ee/nursipalu-laiendus/>, accessed 19/09/2023.

Anonymous, ‘Nursipalu training area’, Wikipedia [website], 30/07/2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nursipalu_training_area>, accessed 19/09/2023.

Anonymous, ‘Võru’, Wikipedia [website], 09/06/2023, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%B5ru>, accessed 19/09/2023.

Kalmaru, E., ‘Nursipalu harjutusvälja laiendamine’, Võru vald [webpage], n.d., <https://voruvald.ee/nursipalu-harjutusvali>, accessed 19/09/2023.

Kurm, L., Interviews with Margus Kurm, 11/2023.

Riigi Kaitseinveteeringute Keskus (Estonian Centre for Defence Investment), first email to the landowners concerned by the Nursipalu military field enlargement, ‘Austatud maaomanik’, 22/11/2022.

Cover foto from private collection. © Lee Kurm