In Garmisch-Partenkirchen, flood protection on the Kanker is being pushed ahead with enormous effort.
But the market town will probably have to pay a high price in this context: The plan is to cut 16 old trees that characterize the townscape.
The approval of the Lower Nature Conservation Authority is still pending.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- The topic is sensitive, because tree protection is very important in Germany.
When specimens are taken, the public outrage is usually very great - even if the reasons are understandable.
Such an explosive case is now also looming in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
It is not just about any trees, but mainly about beautiful, tall chestnuts - experts estimate their age at around 100 years - all of which are enthroned along the footpath on the west side of the Kanker between Hauptstrasse and Schornstrasse in the Partenkirchen district and part of an idyllic avenue are.
Felling in the course of a road construction
Nothing has been finally decided yet. But it is planned to cut down all 16 trees in the course of the road construction. This is communicated by the Weilheim water management office and the town hall administration in a joint press release. The conclusion was reached by mutual agreement after several site visits. However, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority still has to approve the intervention. In addition, an “intensive examination of each individual tree in terms of species protection law is necessary in advance,” the letter continues.
One thing is certain: If the planned clearcut should occur, it would be a bitter loss - and it should certainly not trigger applause from residents and nature lovers.
A (small) ray of hope: "Replacement plantings are planned for the new construction of the path," announce the two authorities.
In addition, according to the water management office, the plants on the other side of the stream bed are not endangered and will definitely be preserved.
Torrent is built to be flood-proof
Background: The approximately 200-meter-long Kanker section is currently being built to be flood-proof. This also includes the new construction of the sidewalk. The water management office is responsible for this. The entire construction project was originally planned in such a way that the tree population remained untouched. However, as reported by the responsible authorities, there was a nasty surprise: After the asphalt layer of the old pedestrian route had been removed, more damage was discovered on the trees, especially in the root area, than originally assumed. For example, gritting vehicles had left thick scratches there. “In spite of all the precautionary measures, further damage cannot be completely ruled out if the road continues to be built,” the message states.According to an expert opinion, "a threat to stability cannot be ruled out" with eight trees. And with the remaining giants, too, there is the fear that they will also lose stability when they are cut out and have to be removed at a later point in time. This would be an expensive undertaking. To do this, the newly paved path would have to be torn up again and, if things go badly, a helicopter would have to be hired to remove the heavy logs. All these considerations evidently led to the realization to do tabula rasa straight away.To do this, the newly paved path would have to be torn up again and, if things go badly, a helicopter would have to be hired to remove the heavy logs. All these considerations evidently led to the realization to do tabula rasa straight away.To do this, the newly paved path would have to be torn up again and, if things go badly, a helicopter would have to be hired to remove the heavy logs. All these considerations evidently led to the realization to do tabula rasa straight away.
There is not much time left for testing. The construction phase is on the home straight. Everything should be ready in summer. The centerpiece is a 2.70 meter wide reinforced concrete channel to prevent future flooding. Then there will be two more sections by 2024, which will be brought into shape according to the same scheme. Then the gap in one of the largest flood projects in the Free State would be completed. Since 2004 tens of millions have been invested in Partnach and Kanker. Milestones were a retention basin at the clinic and a partial transition from the Kanker to the Partnach - and the gradual expansion of the two torrents.