Adapting flood protection to the new hazards - consultation process
Flood protection is regulated by the Federal Hydraulic Engineering Act. Now it is to be revised and adapted to new challenges. These include climate change and Switzerland's growing population. The integral risk management in dealing with natural hazards, which has proven itself in practice, is to be anchored in the WBG. The Federal Council launched the consultation process on April 14, 2021.
The Federal Law on Hydraulic Engineering (WBG) dates back to 1991 and is no longer adequate for the knowledge and developments that have taken place since then, according to the Federal Council's statement. Since the risks are increasing with climate change and growing population, the focus has changed from hazard prevention to integral risk management. This involves limiting flood risks with planning, organizational, biological and technical measures. According to the Federal Council, integral risk management is now to be enshrined in law, thus enabling the federal government, cantons and municipalities to maintain long-term security for Switzerland as a living space and economic area.
Hydraulic engineering and natural hazards are regulated in various laws at federal level. To ensure that they are on the same level, the Federal Council is also proposing selective amendments to the Forest Act and the Water Protection Act. In addition, the name "Hydraulic Engineering Act" will be changed to "Flood Protection Act" in accordance with the purpose of the law.
Increase in flood risks expected
Flood risks are already high today and are likely to increase further with the ongoing development of settlements and climate change. This would result in more severe events. In addition to a comprehensive assessment of the risk situation, protective structures, the maintenance of protective forests, and spatial planning and organizational measures such as emergency planning are needed.
The cantons would have to create new bases, such as risk overviews, as a result of the legal amendment, which would lead to low additional financial and personnel costs. However, the Confederation would contribute to these costs through subsidies. In addition to the periodic maintenance of protective structures, the federal government now also participates in regular maintenance work, which was previously financed solely by the cantons.
More cost-effective combination of measures
Thanks to the combination of measures within the framework of integral risk management, expensive protective structures can be partially avoided or reduced, as the Federal Council writes in its media release. The expenses for protective structures would thus be lower for the federal government and the cantons. However, because the risks would increase despite protection efforts, these savings are likely to decrease over time. The revision of the WBG creates the prerequisite for maintaining the current level of protection in the medium term with today's resources despite the increase in risk, it concludes.
Source: Confederation
Draft revised hydraulic engineering law
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