The implementation of the EU renaturation law passed in June concerns the state of Upper Austria – and therefore above all the office of the responsible deputy state governor Manfred Haimbuchner (FP). In a press conference on Friday, Haimbuchner tried to outline the problems and ambiguities that the federal states are currently facing.
Together with Gerald Neubacher, head of the nature conservation department, and the joint country representative in the EU committee, Alexander Schuster, the main focus was on “the roadmap” that has now been set. In Upper Austria, for example, a coordination office has been set up, and a specialist office is to be created at the federal level.
Restoration plans must be drawn up by 2026 – in this area, Haimbuchner currently sees a lack of guidelines and a lack of definitions of terms: The “favorable conservation status” mentioned in the regulation dates back to 1995, but is still unclear in many areas – the basis from which one is based So “start away” is unclear.
In addition, the requirements are contradictory, says Gerald Neubacher: “By 2030, we should have subjected 90 percent of the area to a condition survey, but we would need this knowledge now in order to be able to draw up the restoration plans.”
“A directive would have made more sense”
Haimbuchner is particularly critical of the rigid set of rules that a regulation like the one on renaturation entails – if a directive had been adopted, the states could more easily define for themselves what can be implemented and what cannot. In the current situation, deviations would inevitably lead to infringement proceedings – the costs would run into the millions.
Speaking of costs: Here too, it is unclear who would have to spend how much money. In the current legal regulation, the originally estimated 183 billion euros have been completely deleted. Haimbuchner is concerned about the costs that the state of Upper Austria would incur. These would “not be financed” through the states’ nature conservation budgets.
Haimbuchner is certain that renaturation is a “powerful act that will shape our society for decades,” but the exact consequences cannot yet be estimated, for example on local agriculture. Full implementation would lead to a “significant decline” in agricultural production, according to studies. Haimbuchner sees this as confirmed by the fact that exceptions are planned for agricultural areas in the event of food shortages: “If you stipulate something like that, you obviously expect it.”
It was already clear this week that the renaturation would not only affect rural areas, but also urban centers: the stop in dedication for the Digital University in Linz was also due to the fact that such projects would contradict the regulation, as stated would emerge from the report. Net losses of green spaces are no longer acceptable, which also affects innovative urban development.
“Common sense and a sense of proportion”
Despite the adversities he identified, Haimbuchner confirmed that they were currently working “with full commitment” on implementation. Efforts are being made to incorporate “common sense and a sense of proportion” and to involve property owners as best as possible.
Greens criticize “persistent lawsuits”
Unsurprisingly, the Greens reacted critically to Haimbuchner’s comments. There has been “enough complaining” and now the time has come to implement the law, says Green Party chairman Severin Mayr. “GAccording to Mayr, reciting “fairy tales” that have been told would bring “zero point zero.” This law is about “protecting and restoring” our nature. This and “thus our livelihood is threatened.”
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