Salzburg seeks more emergency disposal areas after storms

Salzburg is looking for more pre-approved emergency disposal areas after severe storms left mud, rock and timber to be removed from torrent control barriers in the Pongau district, ORF reported. The material must be cleared quickly so the barriers can retain debris during the next episode of heavy rain.

In the Gastein Valley, excavation work has continued for two weeks following storms on July 29 and August 8. About 12,000 cubic metres must be removed during the first two weeks.

The material from Dorfgastein is currently being taken to the Präaubauern, where several thousand square metres have long been reserved for disaster protection. Such areas allow authorities to deposit material immediately without first having to secure the landowner’s approval, said Rudolf Schmidt of the Torrent and Avalanche Control Service.

Before the material is deposited, the topsoil is removed. The mud, rock and timber are then spread and levelled before the topsoil is replaced and the land is reseeded. Authorities generally seek land that was difficult to farm, meaning the work can also improve its agricultural use.

26 areas already available

Salzburg currently has 26 such emergency holding areas in the Pinzgau, Pongau and Lungau districts. Sixteen are in the Pinzgau, while ten are in the Pongau and Lungau combined. About a dozen more areas are being discussed or planned.

Michael Rachensperger, the Pongau district disaster protection officer, said proposed areas must undergo a preliminary assessment and receive legal approval. Authorities also place importance on how the material will be used and require the work to provide an agricultural improvement.

In Großarl, the Wimmbauer farm has been making a meadow available for disaster protection for some time. Landowners who want to provide suitable plots can contact their municipality or the district authority.

Conservation checks required

The Nature Conservation Association considers pre-designated disposal and holding areas for disasters useful in principle, but says they must first undergo expert, nature conservation and legal assessments. This would allow authorities to act quickly in an emergency without damaging ecologically valuable land under time pressure.

The organisation also called for better foundations for decision-making, including publicly accessible habitat mapping and forward-looking spatial planning.