Transparency.
That was one of the key words in the press conference on Monday, to which 13 clubs and associations had invited.
The topic: The presentation of a joint position paper on the new concession of the Walchensee power plant.
Everyone agreed that this process should take place with the greatest possible participation of the public, so that the greatest possible protection of nature is guaranteed.
Walchensee
- "It's about a century of reparation for a heart of the Bavarian natural landscape," said Richard Mergner from the Bund Naturschutz (BN).
The concession for the Walchensee power plant will expire in 2030 - i.e. the rights to divert and use the water for energy generation will be reassigned.
And it is precisely in this process that these clubs and associations want to have a say: the Bund Naturschutz, the German Alpine Association, the Notgemeinschaft Rettet die Isar now and also the State Association for Bird Protection (LBV).
“It's about finding a balance between the energy transition and nature conservation,” explained Markus Erlwein (LBV).
Because since the Walchensee power plant went into operation, nature has suffered considerable damage in some cases, according to Fabian Unger (LBV).
In some places the wild river Isar is just a trickle.
Some typical life forms and species - such as the little ringed plover, the spotted snarrhatch or the tamarisk - are highly threatened.
"There is a significant impact from hydropower."
"There can be no more like this"
There could be no “business as usual”, said LBV chairman Norbert Schäffler.
"We must not sacrifice biological diversity to the energy transition." They do not demand that the power plant be dismantled.
"But we want a clear, scientific investigation so that there can be a balance between regenerative energy and the protection of species."
The 13 signatories have therefore set out their demands in the position paper.
These include: "There has to be a solution for several generations and something fundamentally changes," said Johannes Schnell from the fishing association.
“We have to move away from privatization and towards the state having it in its own hands.” Otherwise, as an association, you are always there as a petitioner if you want to change something ecologically.
In addition, all current legal obligations and requirements would have to be complied with.
There should be no additional or new hydropower or dams or bed load barriers.
The signatories also demand a limitation of a maximum of 20 years in the event of a new license.
They also want nature conservation associations and associations as well as the public to be involved in the entire process - keyword transparency.
"The concession is not to be extended with a backroom policy," explained Mergner.
The demands also provide for compensation for the damage to the ecosystem that has so far been caused by the operation of the power plant.
In order to have a basis for future operation, for example, the minimum water discharge would have to be determined.
In the future, according to the requirements, an ecologically improved operation of the entire system including the tributaries would have to be guaranteed.
"We want to build up pressure now"
"We have a great chance on the hook here," said Schnell.
"We want to build up the pressure now, also through the public," said Schäffler.
“We still have the time.
All clubs and associations are ready to get involved.
We can succeed in creating a balance here. "
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