Geospatial data: Resolving conflicts of use in the subsurface

Today, the necessary spatial geological information is lacking for spatial planning in the subsurface. In order to avoid conflicts of use, for example in the areas of groundwater protection, geothermal probes, landfills, underground mobility, power, water and communication lines or underground parking, private parties are to be obliged to make their geological information available to the cantons and the federal government, as the Federal Council writes. Geological data from planning approval procedures should also be made available. With the planned partial revision of the Federal Law on Geoinformation (Geoinformation Act, GeoIG), the legal foundations for this would be created, according to the statement.

Data issues are regulated

The Geoinformation Act now regulates the collection and consolidation of geological data at federal level. The bill implements the findings of the Federal Council's report in fulfillment of Postulate 16.4108 Vogler of December 16, 2016. The postulate called on the executive branch to show in a report which factual, legal and, if necessary, further prerequisites must be created in connection with spatial planning in the subsurface so that the geological information required for this can be collected and compiled in a coordinated manner.

The Federal Council had approved the report prepared under the leadership of the Federal Office for Spatial Development and Topography Swisstopo at the end of 2018. Swisstopo was commissioned by the Federal Council to prepare the amendment of the Geoinformation Act (cf. Amendment of the Geoinformation Act - Explanatory Report on the Consultation Draft).

Source: Confederation