The Leipzig environmental protection association Ökolöwe has criticized plans to open up further lakes in the Leipzig region to motorboats. The background to this is an ongoing hearing procedure by the Saxony State Directorate on boat traffic on Lake Markkleeberg and Lake Störmthal. "It is unacceptable for the Free State to open up one lake after another to motorboats. People are looking for peace and quiet and natural recreation on the lakes - not pollution from motorboat noise. And nature also needs its space," said Božena Nawka, environmental policy spokesperson for the association.
Authority: Boat traffic is a "fundamental decision" of the state
In the case of Lakes Markkleeberg and Störmthal, the environmentalists from Ökolöwe also see important habitats at risk and base their opinion on expert reports. The post-mining waters are an important resting and wintering area for several strictly protected bird species. Negative effects on the environment cannot be ruled out beyond doubt.
On request, the Saxon State Directorate referred to the Saxon Water Act: the state legislature had "made the basic decision that open-cast mining lakes are navigable", provided they have been completed. It is currently not possible to reliably estimate when the other two lakes will actually be opened to shipping. Statements and the actual decision by the authorities are still pending. However, as in the case of the currently disputed Lake Cospuden, it can be assumed "that there will be exclusion zones due to nature conservation concerns."
