Battle for the oaks: buses instead of trees on Gusow's federal highway!

Battle for the oaks: buses instead of trees on Gusow's federal highway!

In Gusow, a town in the Märkisch-Oderland, the dispute is simmering over the planned felling of old oak trees along a federal road. The Brandenburg Ministry of Infrastructure has now presented a temporary solution to defuse the situation. Pending the final clarification of the legal proceedings, which are unlikely to be completed before the end of the year, the speed limit in the critical curve will be reduced from 50 km/h to 30 km/h. If felling occurs, 61 trees will be affected, including 10 avenue trees, although the English oaks may have been standing for over 200 years and are therefore of historical importance.

However, resistance is forming against the felling plans. Residents and the environmental protection organization BUND have spoken out vehemently against the project. The BUND has already filed a lawsuit and an urgent application against the planning approval decision to improve the curve. The ministry has stated that no tree felling will be carried out until the issue is clarified, which is a success for environmentalists for now. In parallel to these local conflicts, the BUND is also suing the Federal Constitutional Court against the Bundestag and its nature conservation policy.

Demands of the BUND

BUND's lawsuit aims to enforce a comprehensive biodiversity law that is intended to strengthen the protection of nature and biodiversity. The BUND emphasizes that a third of all species in Germany are endangered and around 150 species are lost every day. This development is attributed to human activities, particularly intensive land use, pollution and climate change. The organization calls for clear guidelines for reducing pesticides and regulating animal husbandry, as well as concrete measures for the renaturation of ecosystems.

The legal basis for nature conservation in Germany is complex and characterized by a large number of regulations. For example, the EU nature protection guidelines, such as the Habitats Directive, are crucial for the “Natura 2000” protected areas, which are intended to ensure the preservation of endangered species and habitats. The federal government has announced that it will present a national restoration plan by September 2026 in order to implement the EU requirements for the renaturation of 20 percent of the areas by 2030.

Environmental protection and legal framework conditions

The importance of integrating sustainable environmental protection is underscored by national biodiversity strategies anchored in international law. The Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG) of 1976 represents the central legal basis in Germany, which also takes European requirements into account. However, the enforcement of nature conservation guidelines remains a challenge as there are often weaknesses in the practical implementation by the federal states.

The ongoing lawsuits and the corresponding measures illustrate how important effective and stringent environmental protection law is. The balance between infrastructure projects and nature conservation is an issue that society is increasingly viewing critically. Through its lawsuit at the Federal Constitutional Court, the BUND is trying to achieve a rethink in nature conservation policy and is thus taking a pioneering role in international comparison.

The conflict in Gusow as well as the nationwide activities of the BUND remind us of the urgent need to preserve our natural resources and pursue sustainable policies. After all, intact ecosystems are crucial for our existence and future generations.

Further information about the conflict in Gusow can be found in the report by rbb24, while BUND's lawsuit before the Federal Constitutional Court ZDF is described in detail. The offers a comprehensive insight into the legal situation and regulations bpb.