Flood protection: Ministry of the Environment cancels 81 projects

The Ministry of the Environment has put 81 planned projects from the flood protection program on hold for the time being due to the tight budget situation. They would have cost the Free State 411 million euros, as Environment Minister Georg-Ludwig von Breitenbuch (CDU) said at the presentation of the plans in Dresden. "Today, and with a view to future generations, we can only spend the money we have."

"After the devastating damage in 2002 and 2013, Saxony invested a lot of energy and money in flood protection," said the Minister. 3.5 billion euros had been invested in facilities and buildings. "That is an enormous achievement."

Level of protection to be maintained

Of the 749 measures envisaged in the flood protection program, 594 have been implemented and 26 are under construction, according to the ministry. However, only 48 of the other 129 projects originally planned have been implemented. "We want to and must maintain the level of protection we have achieved," emphasized von Breitenbuch. In future, the focus should be more on maintaining existing facilities.

The ministry selected the 81 postponed projects in close consultation with the state dam administration based on technical aspects and financial possibilities, as von Breitenbuch explained. "That wasn't easy for us either, I have to make that clear." As a result, measures along both large and small bodies of water are being dropped, affecting towns and municipalities throughout Saxony.

In contrast, the closing of gaps in local areas, for example, is being implemented. In Döbeln, for example, where several construction sections have already been completed, the last missing section will be completed. Planned repairs to existing facilities, where failure poses a risk to life and limb, will also be implemented.