"The government approved the funding and the action plan to conduct irrigation of peat bogs in the Moscow Region in late 2010. Six billion roubles were allotted from the federal budget. A sole contractor for the peat bog irrigation was selected for 2011-2013. The Federal Agency for Forestry purchased and is currently using 205 units of machinery for forestry practice and fire prevention," the first deputy prime minister recalled in his opening remarks.

"The Federal Agency for Forestry and Moscow Region officials are successfully employing the resources and authority that they possess," Zubkov noted, adding, "This has allowed us to fulfill the objectives outlined in the 2010-2011 schedule, which provides for inundating nearly 40% (28,200 ha) of peat bogs, and clearing over 50% of the forests damaged by wild fires. Some 996 hydrotechnical structures were built, including 193 dikes, 362 canals, 28 water reservoirs and six dams.

"We are planning a significant amount of work for this year, which is an additional responsibility for everyone. We plan to irrigate an additional 31,100 hectares of peat bogs and to clear 4,200 ha of damaged forests. The work will be completed by the end of 2013 as scheduled. A total of 77,000 ha will be inundated and 16,200 ha of forests cleared," the first deputy prime minister said.

The meeting participants also discussed details of the peat bog irrigation and clearing of fire-damaged forests in the Moscow Region, as well as fire prevention in peat bogs and at land reclamation facilities.

In summary, Viktor Zubkov instructed that the Federal Agency for Forestry, the Moscow region government and other agencies involved continue, on a permanent basis, facilitating cooperation necessary for the successful prevention of peat bog fires, forest clearing and operation of the existing and future hydrotechnical structures and land reclamation facilities.