Federal Council approves state treaty for Rhesi flood protection project
Published: Wednesday, May 8th 2024, 12:20
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The improvement of flood protection on the Alpine Rhine in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley has taken an important step forward. The Federal Council is submitting a new state treaty with Austria to parliament. The green light has also been given by Austria. The long-planned Rhesi flood protection project is to be implemented on both sides of the border.
The Federal Council has adopted the dispatch on improving flood protection on the Alpine Rhine, according to a statement issued by the federal government on Wednesday.
The Rhesi (Rhine, Recreation, Safety) project concerns the St. Gallen Rhine Valley and the neighboring region in Vorarlberg. The plan is to improve flood protection along the 26-kilometre stretch between the mouth of the Ill and Lake Constance, thereby enhancing the lower Rhine Valley as a living and economic area.
The project requires a new state treaty between Switzerland and Austria. This new treaty will now be submitted to Parliament for approval. A new "Alpine Rhine Act" is planned for its implementation. Among other things, this will regulate Swiss representation in the International Rhine Regulation and the sharing of costs.
Shared costs
The project costs are to be borne equally by both countries. According to the press release, Switzerland's financial requirements amount to around CHF 1.04 billion over a period of 27 years. The federal government will cover 80 percent and the canton of St. Gallen 20 percent.
Austria has also given the green light for the project. The Council of Ministers has approved both the financing of Rhesi and the signing of the state treaty between Austria and Switzerland, the state of Vorarlberg announced on Wednesday.
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