Planning of a controlled flooding polder near Außig

The Challenge

Following the recommendations of the Elbe flood protection concept, a controlled flood polder is planned on the left bank of the river near the village of Außig. The project aims to enhance flood resilience while complying with strict environmental and nature conservation regulations. To secure approval through the planning procedure, the technical flood protection design must be supported by comprehensive environmental documentation and assessments, ensuring that ecological and legal standards are fully met.

The Solution

Tractebel provided a wide range of environmental and nature conservation planning services essential for the project’s approval. These included a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), scoping, a full environmental impact study, and detailed landscape conservation and Natura 2000 impact assessments with exception tests. Additional deliverables comprised a species protection report, forest conversion analysis, visualisation concept, mapping services, and a Water Framework Directive report. Tractebel also supported the monitoring of the planning approval procedure, ensuring a smooth and compliant process from concept to implementation.

The Impact

The approval planning was successfully completed, with the planning approval decision issued on 10 March 2021. Following the closure of the objection period on 27 May 2021, the project entered the implementation phase. The execution planning is currently underway, and initial compensation measures have already been carried out. This marks a significant step toward enhancing flood protection along the Elbe, while ensuring that environmental integrity and regulatory compliance remain central to the project’s development.