Popular initiative Aargau government wants more time for additional wetlands
The Aargau government wants to create 1000 hectares of new wetlands by 2060. It thus supports the goal of the cantonal water initiative, but is allowing more time for implementation. The government has therefore submitted an indirect counter-proposal to parliament.
28.06.2024, 10:34
SDA
The creation of new wetlands is important, but the implementation within 20 years demanded by the popular initiative "Waters Initiative Canton Aargau - More Living Wetlands for the Canton of Aargau" is unrealistic, the government announced on Friday.
It therefore rejects the initiative submitted by environmental organizations with 4252 valid signatures and wants to implement rewetting in the forest, agricultural and settlement landscapes by 2060 with an indirect counter-proposal. The aim is to create 1000 hectares of new wetlands on a voluntary basis, which corresponds to around 0.7 percent of the canton's area.
The canton of Aargau has already stipulated in a constitutional article that at least one percent of the canton's area should be protected as a floodplain conservation park.
The petition launched by environmental organizations, "Waters Initiative Canton Aargau - More living wetlands for the Canton of Aargau", received 4252 valid signatures.
Sufficiently large wetlands are important for biodiversity and the water balance, writes the government. Thanks to their sponge effect, flood waves are attenuated during heavy rainfall and drought is reduced in hot summers.
In order to achieve the target of 1000 hectares, the period up to 2060 is realistic. The interim target is 750 hectares by 2040, divided into 300 hectares of forest, 280 hectares of agricultural land and 170 hectares in the settlement area.
The proposal would also meet the demands of various motions from the Grand Council. The Aargau electorate is expected to decide on the water initiative, whose committee includes Pro Natura, WWF and BirdfLife as well as the Aargau Fishing Association and the Hallwilersee Landscape Conservation Association, in February 2025.
