Stadl-Paura: Citizens' initiative is fighting for the yield of gel.

Stadl-Paura: Citizens' initiative is fighting for the yield of gel.

In Stadl-Paura, a dispute rages with a special weight: The planned expansion of gravel mining by the Wels company Treil company causes excitement among residents and conservationists. The focus of the argument is the yellow ming, a butterfly species that is threatened with extinction. Despite a court ruling that approved the expansion of the mining, committed citizens have come together to fight against the measures.

The Federal Administrative Court has decided that the environmental impacts due to renaturation measures by Treil are not serious enough. An independent expert found that nature would remain protected during the mining. But the citizens' initiative, led by biologist Herbert Huss, sees it differently and warns of the fatal consequences for the yield. "They are umpteen hectares that become a gravel desert," says Huss. He describes the report as inadequate and calls for serious measures to protect the endangered species.

concerns about nature conservation

Herbert Huss, who studied biology in Graz and lives in Stadl-Paura, expresses strong doubts about the effectiveness of the nature conservation measures planned by Treul. "The country's requirements will not be sufficient in any way," explains the 74-year-old and adds: "There are too many uncertainties." The period between abrasive and renaturation is particularly worried. In his opinion, nature takes time to recover, but this is not granted. "If the forest has grew up again, the yield will no longer be available," fears Huss.

In addition, he criticizes the measures already being planned to protect the yield population. "I looked closely at the attempt to restore and found that where trees should be planted, only thistles cause confusion," says Huss. This is problematic, since the gel broke-down only diet of a certain type of plant, the white-segge, which occurs in the planned mining area. In addition, he asked the plan to capture the caterpillars of the butterfly. "How is that supposed to work? These are not only small, but also nocturnal - they are simply dubious measures," he criticizes.

objection and resistance

The citizens' initiative does not remain idle. "The butterfly is worth protecting and that's why we will proceed against the decision," announces the spokesman for the initiative. One plans to submit a complaint and make an application for "suspensive effect", citing EU law that actually regulates species protection. "The project will start and be implemented as planned," countered Treul to the concerns of what the fronts further hardened.

The dispute over gravel mining in Stadl-Paura will continue to heat the mind and puts the balance between economic use and nature conservation in the foreground. The next steps of the citizens' initiative could be crucial to protect the yield and habitat. The outcome remains to be seen, and it is to be hoped that species worth protecting will not fall victim to the gold rush.