Regional concept March-Thaya region

Project title:

Small regional specialist concept March-Thaya region: Großkrut North, Altlichtenwarth, Palterndorf Southeast, Zistersdorf Northeast and Middle and Dürnkrut East; Suitable and exclusion areas for the dedication of wind turbines for 18 communities in the Weinviertel Northeast area from the point of view of bird protection.

Contracting entity:

On behalf of the State of Lower Austria and in coordination with the affected communities and wind power operators.

Project duration:

2014-2015

Nature conservation / Renewable Energy:

There are several protected areas in the selected municipalities, including European protected areas. The interaction of plans and projects on conservation and development goals of the European protected areas of the affected metropolitan area was worked out in detail for the 18 communities in the Weinviertel Nordost area from the point of view of bird protection. The EU guideline "Wind energy development and NATURA 2000", which was published by the EC in October 2010, served as the basis for this study. In accordance with European nature conservation legislation, from an ornithological point of view, it was necessary, when delimiting the areas suitable for the construction of wind power plants, not primarily to be based on the boundaries of the European protected areas, but rather on the actually used or preferred habitats of the protected assets.
The aim of this study was to compile the existing knowledge for wind power-relevant bird species in detail and, on a GIS basis, suitable and exclusion areas for the dedication of wind power plants in the Weinviertel Nordost area from the point of view of bird protection in the reservation zones 137 and 149 to be determined.

Characteristics / innovative Solution / Content:

The Weinviertel Nordost area is a valuable habitat for bird species in need of protection, such as the imperial eagle, the red kite or the white-tailed eagle, but also a valuable location for the use of wind energy. Therefore it seemed necessary to work up the topic “Wind power - bird protection” for this region in detail in order to obtain an instrument for conflict resolution between wind power operators and bird conservationists and a regulated expansion of wind power while at the same time complying with the bird protection guidelines and national nature conservation laws to make it possible.
The innovative approach was that the study was carried out on behalf of the Province of Lower Austria and in coordination with the municipalities and wind power operators concerned.