Case goes to court After 10 years, the federal government suddenly wants to dismantle - Bernese ski area facing the end
Ten years after the renovation of a platter lift in Eriz BE, the Federal Office for the Environment is calling for the facility to be dismantled. The reason for this is the location in a protected moorland landscape. The operators are going to court.
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- The Federal Office for the Environment is demanding the dismantling of the Schwändli platter lift in Eriz BE, which was renovated in 2015.
- The reason given: The lift is located in a nationally protected moor landscape.
- The operators are contesting the decision before the administrative court.
There is unrest in the Eriz ski area in the canton of Bern: the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) is demanding the dismantling of the Schwändli platter lift, which was extended and modernized ten years ago as part of an approved renovation.
The operators of Skilift AG Innereriz are shocked - they feel unfairly treated and see the existence of the winter sports area threatened.
"We are dismayed," says Bernhard Blum, member of the Board of Directors of Skilift AG, to theBerner Zeitungnewspaper.
Planning application was duly approved in 2015
The planning application was duly approved in 2015. At the time, the Thun cantonal governor's office granted approval without any conditions. Now, a decade later, the Bafu is demanding that the building be dismantled - with the support of the Bern Building Department.
The reason for the intervention lies in the location of the lift: it is situated in the Rotmoos/Eriz fen, which is listed in the Federal Inventory as a fen landscape of national importance worthy of protection.
Although a mere renovation of the existing lift would have been permissible, the reinforcement of the foundations and the extension of the route by 60 meters are considered new construction and not renovation, according to the authorities.
Was the FOEN not informed correctly?
Another point of criticism from the FOEN is that the environmental authority was not informed about the construction project eight years ago, even though there was an obligation to notify it.
The Federal Office for the Environment only found out about the lift renovation by chance in the winter of 2024 and then requested the construction documents from the Canton of Bern.
The ski lift operators find this argument incomprehensible. The planning application was advertised publicly at the time, both in the official gazette and in regional media.
In addition, the conversion was necessary for safety reasons. "Only selective adjustments would have been negligent," says Blum.
Decision lies with the Bern Administrative Court
The case is now before the Bernese Administrative Court. Skilift AG Innereriz is demanding confirmation of the original building permit.
Should the administrative court order the dismantling, the operators intend to take the case to the Federal Supreme Court.
According to Bernhard Blum, demolishing the lift would be the economic end for the Eriz ski area: "Without the platter lift, we would lose a central facility that is particularly popular with families and beginners."