Dispute around Steg am Zernsee: Nature Conservation Association sues Marina!

Dispute around Steg am Zernsee: Nature Conservation Association sues Marina!

water tourism in Brandenburg is experiencing an upswing. More and more people are discovering the beauties of the region from the water. In this context, the port company Marina Zernsee in Werder (Havel) plans to expand its jetty on Lake Große Zernsee. However, this initiative encounters the resistance of the nature conservation association (NABU), which indicates the dangers of the surrounding nature.

Although the Marina district of Potsdam has granted the building permit and the bridge has already been built, the NABU filed a lawsuit and received right. The new bridge runs through a protected water lily field, which, according to NABU, must not be used for construction projects. Water lilies are not only a feast for the eyes, but also offer habitat for numerous water animals, including the endangered hood diver.

conflict about the bridge

The managing director of Marina Zernsee, Randy Schirmeister, stated that the company has invested 2.5 million euros in the expansion and is currently in an economic emergency. Schirmmeister complains that there was no willingness to dialogue on the part of the NABU. He proposes a conversion measure that would move the footbridge by 15 meters to protect the water lilies. However, this solution is rejected by the NABU because it is considered inadequate.

In addition, the construction project does not come without criticism. Both parties, both the port operators and the NABU, exercise blame on the district, which has granted the approval without adequately taken into account the effects on the water lily field. The use of the bridge is currently limited to avoid further damage to the water lilies.

legal discussion

The bridge has been under construction since August 10, 2023, and since then the NABU has intensified its legal approach. He tries to prevent the operation of the jetty in an urgent procedure, as this is located in the landscape protection area "Potsdam Wald- und Havelseen area". The chairman of Nabu Brandenburg, Björn Ellner, criticized the decision of the district as disregard for landscape protection and demands better protection of the natural areas.

To clarify the situation, the NABU filed a lawsuit before the Potsdam Administrative Court. Your concern is to prevent further damage to the water lily field and to point out that the area character of the landscape protection area is affected by the construction work. So far, the district has not commented on the allegations and refers to the ongoing procedure.

The importance of nature conservation in Brandenburg cannot be emphasized enough. The Unit of the State Environment Agency, which is responsible for species protection regulations and the surveillance of protected species, underlines the importance of preserving habitats for endangered species. Such measures are crucial for the preservation of biological diversity in the region, while water tourism continues to grow.

The further development of this argument remains exciting and could be crucial for creating an equilibrium between economic interest and the protection of nature in this attractive region.