Image: Hörmandinger
While invasive projects on the Wurzeralm would be funded with up to 66 percent, the continuation of the Kasberg ski area, which was closed due to insolvency, would not require any major interventions in nature.
The expansion plans on the Wurzeralm are a particular thorn in the side of the environmental organizations. Because the nature reserve there had already been reduced in 2002 – despite a ban on deterioration in the Alpine Convention signed shortly beforehand – explained Herbert Jungwirth, nature conservation officer at the Upper Austrian Alpine Association. A reservoir, a hut and slopes were then built on the removed area, which now affects the protection of the rest of the area. Most recently, the state issued a positive nature conservation decision for the new construction of the Frauenkar lift – this was objected to by the environmental attorney, and a decision by the state administrative court is expected in the summer.
“Salami tactics” to undermine protection
All in all, the boundaries of the protected area are constantly being adapted to the wishes of the cable car operators, Maier locates a “salami tactic” that leads to the erosion of protection. For Paul Kuncio from CIPRA Austria (CIPRA=International Commission for the Protection of the Alps, note) it must be questioned whether the planned expansion measures in the Hinterstoder/Wurzeralm ski area violate the obligation to maintain protected areas according to the Alpine Convention – in addition to the expansion of the Frauenkar lift, there is also a connection to the Höss with the former Hackl lifts in Vorderstoder including new ski slopes at an altitude of less than 1,100 meters including snowmaking in the area.
You don’t want to prevent anything, it was emphasized. “We have a vested interest in making winter sports work,” says Christian Dornauer from Oö. nature lovers. But climate change is already making one or the other impossible. He also sees a huge problem in the traffic problem. Politicians are lagging behind here, and there is “practically no” progress at all.
Source: Nachrichten
