Process for Rappenalpbach canalization in Bavaria initiated with financial settlement
Originally, in the procedure, protective areas in conjunction with deliberate water pollution had even resulted in imprisonment for the accused. However, the court found that there were ambiguous regulatory requirements and efforts had been made towards rehabilitation.
The Rappenalpbach flows in the Allgäu Alps and was a wild stream. After a heavy rain event in August 2022, the accused are alleged to have carried out extensive dredging works on a 1.6 kilometer stretch.
The riverbed was significantly narrowed by the works. The character of the wild stream was changed, according to the indictment, to such an extent that the preservation and development foundations of the biotopes connected to the stream were completely lost.
Restoration of the previous state has since been initiated. This is estimated to cost approximately 860,000 Euros, according to the prosecution, and will require significant time.
The environmental scandal surrounding the money collection for the river restoration in Rappenalpbach reached international attention, with Munich-based environmental groups expressing their concern. Despite the extensive dredging works, the District Court in Kempten decided to channel the focus towards rehabilitation efforts and the adherence to environmental regulations in the process. Interestingly, this case has sparked discussions about clarifying regulatory requirements to prevent future environmental scandals.
