Brandenburg's nature conservation under pressure: New law brings up break!

Brandenburg's nature conservation under pressure: New law brings up break!

The Brandenburg state parliament passed the controversial "Law for Administrative Location in the areas of land use and the environment" last Wednesday. The aim is to reduce bureaucracy in agriculture and environmental protection, which is not only supported by the government parties, but also encounters increased resistance on the part of the environmental associations. rbb24 reports of fundamental changes, including the deletion of important nature conservation requirements and a reduced authority for environmental associations in construction projects.

The proposal stipulates that buildings on the edge of the towns, which protrude up to 300 meters into nature reserves, should in future be without permission. Agriculture Minister Hanka Mittelstädt (SPD) described this law as the first step towards relieving farmers and other actors. Her goal is to make Brandenburg "easier", according to Marcel Penquitt, SPD member of the state parliament and head of a special committee who is dedicated to reducing bureaucracy. Nordkurier emphasizes that in the future dike renovations can also be carried out without long-term planning approvals.

regulations in nature conservation?

The initiative for simplification, however, ensures considerable concerns, especially for nature conservation organizations such as NABU and the federal government, which consider the planned changes as a step backwards in nature conservation. Christiane Schröder, the managing director of Nabu, criticizes democracy reduction and warns of the negative consequences for citizen participation in the protection of habitats. The new legislation could severely restrict their rights to give statements on legally protected biotopes. nabu Hessen expresses deep friables about the measures.

In addition, members of the State Nature Conservation Advisory Board lose important say, a fact that is sharply criticized by environmental associations. BUND state chairman Carsten Preuß explains that the Ministry of the Environment weakens the nature conservation policy in favor of other interests. The NABU is criticized in particular to avoid pre -purchase rights for important properties in the nature conservation area, since these properties are of great importance for the renaturation of rivers and streams.

votes from politics

While the government coalition of the SPD, BSW and CDU mostly voted for the law, there were also critical voices. Jens Funke from the SPD spoke in favor of reducing the pre -purchase rights for nature conservation organizations. In contrast, family businesses in the agricultural sector support the abolition of the pre -purchase rights, as this means an easier business for them.

The coming weeks will show what concrete effects of this law on Brandenburg's nature conservation and the citizen participation. Many fear that the hollowing out of nature conservation law could have long -term negative consequences for the environment in the region. So the debate remains exciting.