Not a chance!
Two examples from our practice illustrate just how tedious and time-consuming environmental protection is in Germany. There is little evidence that red tape is being cut in nature conservation.
Example 1
Planting Along a Stream
The plan was to plant vegetation along the banks of a small stream.
By chance, we came across a PDF document online from the Water and Soil Association stating that planting along the banks is prohibited, as this hinders the maintenance of the stream.
We kindly informed the “lower water authority,” which, at a loss, referred us to the “lower nature conservation authority.” The latter, in turn, informed us that due to a heavy workload, it would require a longer processing time. After two months without a response—and assuming that both agencies are staffed by more than one person—the question arises: what exactly are the employees spending their time on? Our legal counsel advised us to go ahead with the planting anyway and to take legal action in the event of an official objection.
This is the only way environmental protection works in Germany!!
Example 2
Rezoning a Traffic Area as Forest
We, eMission-X, applied to the Cadastral Office to rezone a forest clearing designated as a “traffic area” to “forest.”
The Cadastral Office cited Google Maps and rejected the application. Our argument that the clearing could be converted into forest through planting was met with approval, but requires a paid assessment by a certified surveying firm.
