Vorarlberg opens draft nature protection law for public review

Vorarlberg’s state government has released a draft of a new Nature Conservation Act for public review, ORF reported. The government says the amendment would reduce administrative workload, while Greenpeace warns it could weaken nature protection.

The draft proposes shorter procedural deadlines and simplified approvals. It would also raise thresholds and remove overlapping responsibilities in hunting and fishing law.

Governor Markus Wallner and state councillor Christian Gantner, both from the Austrian People’s Party, said protection of the natural environment would remain guaranteed while economic and social interests were also taken into account.

Greenpeace criticised the planned changes. Melanie Ebner of Greenpeace Austria called the amendment an official wrecking ball for existing protection standards. The organisation said the reduced protection of shoreline areas and increased construction on natural land without comprehensive assessments were particularly problematic.

Greenpeace called for the draft to be withdrawn and said a law of this kind should not be called a nature protection law.

The draft can be viewed until September 25 through the Vorarlberg state government’s publication portal and at various government offices. Anyone interested can also submit comments online.