An artificial surf wave is to be built in the city of Wolfratshausen.
But so-called fish monitoring could have serious consequences for the project.
Wolfratshausen - For the planned construction of an artificial surf wave, it was a mandatory requirement: The water law permit for the project, which now costs almost 970,000 euros.
As reported, the district office issued the approval a few months ago, but the operation of the wave, which has not yet been built, is "only temporarily allowed", Richard Kugler (Wolfratshauser list) pointed out at the latest city council meeting.
District fishing club makes peace with surf club
Review: The surf club had two reasons to be happy this summer. First the water law approval for the project arrived in the town hall, shortly afterwards the district fishing club Wolfratshausen announced that it had made its peace with the surf club. Because so far the association has viewed the project with great skepticism for reasons of nature and species protection law. There was even a lawsuit against the building project. Finally, Helmuth Holzheu, BVW city councilor and since October chairman of the district fishing club, stated: They are striving for a cooperation with the surf club. Holzheu literally: "We want to clear the way for a responsible implementation of the project." Stefanie Kastner, chairwoman of the surf club, promised in return: "We want,that no fish are harmed and will definitely protect nature on site. "
Surf wave: does it have negative consequences for fish?
In the Christmas meeting of the city council, Holzheu underlined that "all objections had been resolved amicably".
However, he emphasized that the water law permit was linked to the implementation of what is known as fish monitoring.
To put it simply, fish migration and behavior are observed during this monitoring process.
If the procedure proves disadvantages for the fish that can be traced back to the operation of the surf wave, this could, according to Holzheu, result in the “withdrawal” of the water permit.
City hall employee Gisela Gleißl, who has been accompanying the wave project for the city for eight years now, was unable to object to Holzheu.
Just this much: the surf club will pay for the monitoring.
Kugler was on the same page as his city council colleague from the citizens' association: The operation of the artificial wave is only allowed "temporarily", according to Kugler until September 3, 2023. Should it have been found by then that "fish will be harmed", Kugler fears, that from now on there is an investment ruin in Weidach.
We are all not surf wave operators.
Mayor Klaus Heilinglechner
Mayor Klaus Heilinglechner (BVW) invokes the decision of the district authority: Even when the water is low, the surf wave is not expected to have any negative impact on the Loisach fauna-flora-habitat area.
The fish pass that had to be built, said the town hall chief in this context, was paid for by the operator of the hydropower plant.
Fritz Schnaller (SPD) was not convinced by the concept.
Keyword fish monitoring: It is completely open what consequences it would have for the municipality if the results of the investigation were negative.
Surfwelle: Club wants to repay additional costs to the city
As reported, the city council decided with 14:11 votes to provide a further 172,000 euros in the 2022 budget to continue the project.
City Hall chief Heilinglechner had asked the committee members several times at the meeting to “put their trust” in the surf club's operating and financing concept.
The association wants to repay the 172,000 euros in annual installments to the municipality.
In the controversial debate, Heilinglechner also pointed out that it was “an extremely complex process” and that for this reason almost 200,000 euros had to be invested in the planning.
The mayor admitted that there was a residual risk that could not be ruled out: "We are all not surf wave operators."
(cce)
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