Umweltschutz in der Wintersport-Arena Sauerland
De wintersportarena Sauerland ligt in een landschappelijk en ecologisch bijzonder waardevol middelgebergtegebied. Hier gaan unieke leefgebieden, natuurlijke bossen en soortenrijke bergweiden hand in hand met toeristisch gebruik.
Het doel is om wintersport, toerisme en natuurbehoud met elkaar te verbinden – door middel van verantwoorde planning, gecontroleerd gebruik en wettelijk geregelde milieubescherming.
The legal basis for nature conservation
Nature reserves
The protection of nature and the landscape in the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena is based on several legal levels:
- European Union:
- The Habitats Directive (FFH Directive, 92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) together form the basis for the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The aim is the long-term conservation of natural habitats and endangered species.
- Federal law:
- In Germany, these requirements are implemented through the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG). Of particular importance are:
- Section 30 BNatSchG – Protected biotopes
- Sections 31–36 BNatSchG – Protection of the Natura 2000 network
- Sections 13–19 BNatSchG – the so-called ‘impact regulation’: Interventions in nature and the landscape must be avoided, minimised or offset by compensatory measures.
- State law in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse:
- The North Rhine-Westphalia State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG NRW) sets out these regulations in more detail and specifies how nature conservation is to be implemented in spatial planning, construction projects and landscape management. In addition, Sections 30–34 of the LNatSchG NRW are particularly relevant for interventions in nature and the landscape; legally protected biotopes are further regulated in Section 42 of the LNatSchG NRW. For the Hessian part of the winter sports region, in particular Willingen, the corresponding Hessian nature conservation regulations apply.
- Landscape planning:
- In the Hochsauerland district, protected areas, development measures and management objectives are laid down in legally binding landscape plans. They thus form an important basis for specific conditions, management requirements and local planning permissions.
The aim of all these regulations is to organise the use of the natural environment – for example, for skiing, tourism and infrastructure – in such a way that ecological functions are preserved.
Sources:
EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC |
Birds Directive 2009/147/EC |
Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) |
North Rhine-Westphalia State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG NRW)
Hessian nature conservation law | Landscape planning in the Hochsauerland district
Protected areas in the Sauerland Winter Sports Arena
Parts of the winter sports resorts are situated within or on the edge of protected areas. These include both nature reserves (NSG) and FFH sites (Fauna-Flora-Habitat sites). Some of these protected areas were designated in areas where ski resorts already existed.
FFH site ‘Mountain meadows near Winterberg’ (DE-4717-305)
- Covers sub-areas near Altastenberg, Neuastenberg, Lenneplätze and Winterberg.
- Conservation objective: To preserve species-rich mountain hay meadows, wet meadows and springs.
- Rare species found here include arnica, globeflower and various butterfly species.
- Parts of the area are also designated as a nature reserve (NSG HSK-446).
- Source: Natura 2000 Designation Documentation for North Rhine-Westphalia – DE-4717-305
Nature Reserve “Kahler Asten” (HSK-008)
- Protects upland heaths, moorland areas and springhead areas south of Winterberg.
- This area is considered one of the most ecologically valuable upland heath biotopes in Westphalia.
- Source: NRW Nature Reserve Database – HSK-008
FFH site ‘Ettelsberg with the Ruthenaar and Hoppecketal valleys near Willingen’ (DE-4717-350)
- Located in the Hessian part of the winter sports region.
- Comprises forests, mountain meadows and spring areas on the Ettelsberg.
- Conservation objective: Preservation of near-natural beech forests, wetland habitats and headwater streams.
- Source: Federal Agency for Nature Conservation – DE-4717-350
Overview of all nature reserves in the Hochsauerland district
The Hochsauerland district has a total of over 500 nature reserves covering an area of around 26,000 ha.
An interactive map of all areas can be viewed on the Geoportal.NRW or in the overview of nature reserves in the Hochsauerland district.
Regulations on interventions and compensatory measures
Where tourism or technical infrastructure encroaches on the landscape, the legally prescribed impact regulations under Sections 13–19 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) and, in addition, the relevant provisions of state nature conservation law apply. These require:
- the avoidance of avoidable adverse effects,
- the minimisation of unavoidable interventions,
- and compensatory measures for any remaining impacts, such as through afforestation, habitat enhancement or rewetting.
In practice, this means that whenever new ski lifts, paths or snow-making systems are planned, a nature conservation assessment is carried out. Permits are only granted on condition that avoidable impacts are avoided, unavoidable impacts are minimised and any remaining impacts are offset.
Source: BfN – The Impact Regulation Explained
Environmental protection in practice
The Sauerland Winter Sports Arena is constantly working to improve its environmental standards. These include:
- more efficient snow-making technology and snow management tailored to actual needs,
- meltwater, most of which returns to the soil, streams and groundwater after the snow has melted,
- soil and slope protection through vegetation suitable for the site,
- cooperation with environmental and nature conservation authorities,
- and visitor management to reduce pressure on sensitive habitats.
The aim is to organise winter sports operations in the long term in such a way that nature, the landscape and sensitive habitats are protected.
State Legislation
- EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC
- Birds Directive 2009/147/EC
- Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG)
- North Rhine-Westphalia State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG NRW)
- Hesse Nature Conservation Legislation
- Natura 2000 Designation Documentation for North Rhine-Westphalia – DE-4717-305
- BfN – Ettelsberg with the Ruthenaar and Hoppeck valleys near Willingen
- NRW Nature Reserve Database – HSK-446 and HSK-008
- NRW Geoportal – Protected Areas
- Hochsauerland District – Nature Reserves
- BfN – Impact Assessment Regulations