Alder felling at Schorssower Haussee: safety risk or environmental outrage?

Alder felling at Schorssower Haussee: safety risk or environmental outrage?

In the idyllic surroundings of the Schorssower Haussee there is a dispute that is heating up people's minds: two 160-year-old alder trees, which have shaped the landscape for generations, were recently felled. Mayor Rocco Mache was convinced that the trees posed a potential danger to bathers. A large branch that had fallen the previous year prevented him from resting. Therefore, the district nature conservation authority in Güstrow issued the felling permit based on a visual inspection by an employee of the public order office in order to ensure the safety of those seeking relaxation. The alder trees, which stood an impressive 18 meters high, had a trunk circumference of three meters and a crown height of 12 meters.

However, the decision to make the decision does not only have supporters. Gerd Taufmann from BUND criticized this step as an “environmental outrage”. He argued that the trees were in good condition and were considered natural monuments. Instead of felling, Taufmann advocated crown reductions, which would be less radical. In his opinion, these measures would have minimized the risk of breakage and preserved the alders. He also pointed out the intervention in an FFH (flora-fauna-habitat) area, which could potentially affect protected species.

Legal framework

The situation is complicated by the legal basis that applies to nature conservation in Germany. According to the Federal Species Protection Ordinance (BArtSchV) Specially protected plant species and their habitats are protected from direct human access. This law is part of the comprehensive Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), which also contains requirements for the protection of species and areas as well as biotope networks.

Another relevant set of rules is the FFH directive, which aims to preserve natural habitats and wild species. Environmental protection rights are also contained in EU law, which must be implemented nationally. There is a need for action here, because the federal government often only advocates “1:1 implementation”, which is not fully implemented in many federal states.

The reaction to the precipitation

The felling of the alders has not only led to protests from nature conservation associations. Mayor Mache responded to Taufmann's criticism with a sharp swipe. He described the environmental activist as a “self-proclaimed eco-activist” and vehemently rejected the allegations. This shows that the conflict is not just about the trees themselves, but also about different views on nature conservation and safety.

The state BUND has already announced that it will lodge an objection against the environmental authority's decision. This happens because of alleged gross procedural errors and possible violations of the Endangered Species Protection Act. It remains to be seen how this dispute will end and what consequences it will have for nature conservation in the region. One thing is certain: sustainable solutions are required when it comes to dealing with natural monuments and protecting the environment.