Regulations on the protection of the Bodenwald amphibian spawning area in the municipality of Attinghausen - Protection Objectives

1. This regulation aims at the undiminished preservation and long-term promotion of the amphibian spawning area Bodenwald

a) as a spawning ground and habitat for amphibians and other protected, endangered, and rare animal and plant species as well as plant communities

b) as a potential location for the reintroduction of site-specific amphibian species

c) as a core area in the habitat network of amphibian populations

d) as a location of forest communities worthy of protection

1. Protected Zone Plan for the Regulation on the Protection of the Amphibian Spawning Area Bodenwald in the Municipality of Attinghausen


1. The following protected object (area) listed in the cantonal protection inventory is part of these regulations

Inventory No.: NS.1203.02

Name: Amphibian Breeding Area Bodenwald

Significance: National (No. UR106)

1. The Protected Area is divided into the following protection zones

a) Core Zone of Amphibian Breeding Area (breeding waters and adjacent shore vegetation)

b) Surrounding Zone (terrestrial habitat and migration corridor)

2. The location and boundaries of the protection zones are specified in the protection zone plan in the annex, which is an integral part of these regulations.

3. The "Core Zone of Amphibian Breeding Area" aims to preserve and promote breeding waters for amphibians.

4. The "Surrounding Zone" serves to protect the "Core Zone of Amphibian Breeding Area" from undesirable influences and to ensure the long-term preservation and promotion of site-specific forest communities, worthy-of-protection forest forms, and diverse, multi-layered forest edges. It also serves as a terrestrial habitat and migration corridor for amphibians.

1. In the entire protected area, all activities, measures, constructions, and installations that endanger or impair the protection objectives are prohibited.

2. In particular, it is prohibited to

a) introduce non-native animals and plants

b) drive or graze animals

c) store, camp, erect tents, and provide sites for these purposes

d) drain the area

e) discharge or allow infiltration of polluted wastewater

f) use plant protection products, fertilizers, and equivalent products

g) disturb, capture, injure, or kill wild animals, or to damage or destroy their habitats, shelters, nests, and clutches; except for licensed hunting.

1. In the "Core Zone Amphibian Spawning Area," in addition to the general protection provisions pursuant to Article 4, it is prohibited to

a) Construct buildings and facilities of any kind, unless they serve the purpose of the protection zone.

b) Alter the terrain, particularly by depositing, excavating, or removing material; exceptions are relocations of material serving the protection goals.

c) Drive through the area; exceptions apply for maintenance and upkeep purposes.

d) Remove or plant individual trees; exceptions apply as instructed by the Office of Forestry and Hunting.

e) Pick, dig up, or destroy endangered or protected plants; except for the authorized removal of invasive alien plants in accordance with Annex 2 of the Release Ordinance (SR 814.911).

f) Remove or destroy small structures such as stone piles or branch piles.

g) Ignite fires.

h) Alter the waters and the amphibian habitats; exceptions apply to maintenance measures ordered by the Department of Nature and Landscape.

i) Introduce fish.

2. Measures for the management of the sediment basin of the "Hartsteinwerk Gasperini AG" in the north, as well as measures for the operation and maintenance of the existing infiltration basin of the "ZAKU" remain permissible.

1. In the "surrounding zone," in addition to the general protection provisions pursuant to Article 4, it is prohibited to erect buildings and facilities of any kind unless they serve the purpose of the protection zone. The erection of structural facilities for forestry and recreational use is reserved.

2. The maintenance, renovation, and minor expansion of the existing roads and paths remain permissible.

3. Measures for the maintenance and replacement of the existing pipeline system remain permissible.

4. Measures for the operation and maintenance of the existing infiltration shafts and infiltration basins of the "ZAKU" remain permissible.

### 1. Maintenance and Care According to Conservation Objectives

1. Maintenance and care shall adhere to the respective nature conservation goals to be pursued.

2. The protected area is to be maintained and cared for appropriately. All maintenance and care tasks must be aligned with the conservation objectives. The necessary measures for this purpose are exempt from the prohibitions according to Articles 4 to 6. They are determined, as required, in a separate care concept. In principle, the following maintenance tasks are to be executed

a) The riparian vegetation in the "Core Zone Amphibian Spawning Area" must not be mowed before June 15 and not more than twice annually. In justified cases, an earlier mowing date may be approved in consultation with the Department of Nature and Landscape. The use of rotary mowers is prohibited.

b) Measures must be taken to prevent the spread of invasive neobiota.

c) The forest is to be managed in accordance with the conservation objectives. Within this framework, the Office for Forestry and Hunting determines the necessary measures.

d) The forest edges are to be periodically maintained according to ecological principles.

e) To maintain open water surfaces, the aquatic vegetation must be periodically removed.

f) Sludged water surfaces are to be excavated properly.

g) Any stocked fish must be removed.

3. The three infiltration basins and shafts of "ZAKU" within the protection perimeter are maintained and cared for by "ZAKU" itself. Due to the issues with brambles there, the use of rotary mowers is permitted between October 1 and March 31.

4. The sludge collector of "Hartsteinwerk Gasperini AG" is maintained and cared for by "Hartsteinwerk Gasperini AG" itself. Due to the issues with brambles there, the use of rotary mowers is permitted between October 1 and March 31.

5. To allow the work traffic to continue unrestricted use of the quarry road, a 3-meter wide strip along the quarry road may be regularly mowed.

6. The Department of Nature and Landscape ensures the implementation of maintenance and care tasks with appropriate measures. It may enter into contracts with the affected landowners or managers within the framework of the approved credits to ensure the appropriate care of the protected area in line with this regulation.

7. If contracts under paragraph 6 cannot be concluded, the landowners or managers are obliged to tolerate maintenance and care by the canton or its agents without any compensation.

8. The Department of Nature and Landscape marks the boundaries of the protection zones and the paths accessible to the public in the protection area, in consultation with the landowners, as far as necessary for protection.

1. Property Owners or Land Managers are entitled to reasonable compensation based on Article 18c paragraph 2 NHG and within the scope of contractual agreements if, in the interest of conservation objectives, they must restrict previous usage or provide a service without corresponding economic benefit.

1. The Department of Nature and Landscape enforces this regulation, unless otherwise provided. It ensures compliance with the conservation objectives, supervises the protected zones, and periodically evaluates the ecological value of the protected area through success monitoring.

2. The supervisory authorities according to the legislation on nature and heritage protection, hunting, fishing, and forestry oversee compliance with the provisions of this regulation and issue the necessary orders as per their jurisdiction.

3. The Department of Nature and Landscape may grant exceptions to individual protection provisions under conditions and stipulations if special circumstances exist and this does not contradict the conservation objectives or if overriding public or private interests require it.

1. To support the implementation, an accompanying group is established. The accompanying group corresponds to the "Commission on the Bodenwald" according to the sponsorship of the Bodenwald usage concept. The accompanying group acts as a liaison between the parties.

2. The accompanying group evaluates whether there are threats, disturbances, damages, impairments, or adverse changes in the protected area. It proposes measures to the Department of Nature and Landscape if the protection provisions are not being observed.

1. The punishment for violations of this regulation and the restoration of the lawful condition are governed by the NHG and the relevant cantonal provisions.

1. This regulation shall enter into force on October 1, 2024.