Resolution of the Standing Commission on Nature Conservation Contributions - Time Frame

1. For adhering to specific time windows during which meadows in conservation areas are mowed, the following compensations can be agreed upon

a) July 15 to August 15: 2.-- per are

abis) * August 1 to September 1: 2.50 per are

b) August 15 to September 15: 3.-- per are

c) September 1 to October 15: 4.-- per are

d) Alternative, individually agreed upon mowing periods: max. 4.-- per are

2. The classification into the mowing period is based on an expert individual assessment of the areas by the Department for Nature and Landscape Protection.

3. If mowing is conducted after the mowing period, the compensations for the current year will be canceled. They will be canceled, and the canton will also have a claim against the operator in the amount of the compensations

a) if mowing occurs before the mowing period;

b) if repeated mowing after the mowing period occurs and causes damage, such as tracks;

c) if no mowing occurs at all.

4. A delegate from each district council and a representative from the Department for Nature and Landscape Protection form the Mowing Periods Working Group.

5. The Mowing Periods Working Group may approve deviations from the mowing periods or a waiver of mowing if adhering to the periods would adversely affect the conservation areas due to weather conditions, particularly in times of exceptionally high rainfall. If management occurs within the framework of approved deviations and waivers, no contribution reductions will be made.

1. If an agreement concerning the adherence to specific time frames is made, compensations for the following additional measures may be agreed upon.

**1. Compensation for the Difficult Management of Mowing Meadows Can Be Agreed As Follows:**

a) Use of a Single-Axle Motor Mower: 2.-- per Are

b) Collecting and Loading Cut Grass by Hand (Rakes, Tarps, etc.): 4.-- per Are

c) All Work Steps, Including Hand Mowing, by Hand: 6.-- per Are

d) Additional Difficulties: max. 2.-- per Are

**2. If the Management Does Not Occur as Agreed, No Compensation Will Be Provided for the Current Year. If the Management Repeatedly Does Not Occur as Agreed, No Compensation Will Be Provided for the Remaining Duration of the Agreement.**

1. For the drying of cut material on the mown field or another surface, a compensation of CHF 1.50 per are can be agreed upon.

2. If the drying does not occur as agreed, no compensation will be paid for the current year. If the drying repeatedly does not occur as agreed, no compensation will be paid for the remaining duration of the agreement.

1. A compensation of CHF 1.50 per are may be agreed upon for refraining from the use of blowers.

2. If a blower is used, no compensation for refraining from the use of blowers will be provided for the current year and the remainder of the duration of the agreement.

1. Compliance with requirements for the management of hay meadows intended for impoverishment may involve compensation of up to CHF 15 per are. If more than two cuts are contractually stipulated, an additional CHF 2 per are may be agreed upon. If the impoverished area reaches Quality Level II according to the Direct Payment Ordinance, the compensation shall be appropriately reduced.

2. The compensation may be provided for a maximum period of ten consecutive years.

3. An agreement on impoverishment may be concluded if

a) The suitability of the areas for impoverishment is confirmed by an expert assessment from the Nature and Landscape Protection Authority or an external entity engaged by it, and

b) The area is considered an extensive meadow within the meaning of the Federal Direct Payment Ordinance of October 23, 2013, and

c) The area is not located in the summering zone.

4. If the management is not conducted as agreed, no compensation will be provided for the current year and the remainder of the agreement's duration.

1. Compliance with requirements for the management of buffer zones can be compensated with a maximum of CHF 15 per are. If the buffer zone reaches quality level II according to the Direct Payments Ordinance, the compensation will be appropriately reduced. In summering areas, the compensation is a maximum of CHF 1.

2. An agreement on buffer zones can be made if

a) the buffer zone has been determined based on a professional individual assessment according to the federal buffer zone key by the Office for Nature and Landscape Protection or an external body engaged by it;

b) the area is considered an extensive meadow within the meaning of the Direct Payments Ordinance or is located in a summering area.

3. If the management is not carried out as agreed, no compensation will be provided for the current year.

1. If grazing restrictions are imposed for dry and moor pastures, the following compensations can be agreed upon

a) Earliest possible grazing from June 1st: 1.-- per are

b) Earliest possible grazing from June 15th: 2.-- per are

c) Earliest possible grazing from July 1st: 3.-- per are

d) Additional requirements (e.g., stocking density, use only with young cattle): 2.-- per are

2. In summering areas, no grazing restrictions are imposed.

3. If grazing occurs before the agreed-upon time or does not occur at all, the compensations for the current year will be canceled, and the canton will have an additional claim against the manager equal to the compensations.

4. The Department for Nature and Landscape Protection may, after consulting the district, approve deviations from the grazing restrictions or the complete omission of grazing if adherence to the grazing restrictions due to weather conditions, particularly during exceptionally rainy vegetation periods, would adversely affect the pastures in protected areas. If the management is carried out in accordance with the approved deviations, no reductions will be made.

1. For the difficult management of pastures in summer grazing areas, the following compensations can be agreed upon

a) Fencing at the edge of the pasture, if there are few restrictions on the grazing of animals: 2.-- per are

b) Fencing within the pasture: 4.-- per are

c) Fencing of bogs and other particularly sensitive areas in summer grazing regions: 4.50 per are

d) Maintenance mowing without the removal of clippings from plant stands, tussocks, waterlogged areas and the like, which are poorly or not used by livestock, until October 15: 1.-- per are

2. The fence must be removed or laid down in the fall. Barbed wire may not be used for the fence. In bogs and particularly sensitive areas, the manager removes invasive shrubs.

3. If the management is not carried out as agreed, no compensations will be provided for the current year. If the management is repeatedly not carried out as agreed, no compensations will be provided for the remainder of the agreement period.

1. For the compensation of measures not covered by the agreements pursuant to Articles 1 to 9 of this Standing Commission Decision, such as clearing undergrowth, maintaining a hedge, or creating or maintaining wetlands, compensations of up to CHF 28.00 per hour may be agreed upon.

2. In the case of improper execution of the measures, the compensations may be reduced in whole or in part.

1. All compensations agreed upon in the agreement with the owner or manager are nullified, and the canton additionally has a claim against the manager in double the amount of these compensations if fertilizers or plant protection products are applied and the agreement does not provide for an exception.

1. If compensations for a measure contractually agreed upon are to be canceled or reclaimed for several reasons outlined in this decision of the Association Commission, these sanctions shall not be accumulated. The most severe sanction will be applied.

1. If the sanctions exceed the compensations that can be disbursed to a manager in total, the Canton of Appenzell I.Rh. shall have a claim against the manager to the extent of the excess sanctions. Until that point, the sanctions shall be deducted from other compensation claims that the manager is entitled to pursuant to this resolution of the Cantonal Commission.

1. Agreements are generally concluded for eight years.

2. They may be terminated in writing with a notice period of three months at the end of the agreement.

3. If they are not terminated, they are extended for another eight years.

1. Termination of the Management Right of the Manager of an Agreement Area

The agreement shall terminate if the management right of the manager of an agreement area ends, provided that

a) there is an agreement in place with another manager for the agreement area, or

b) the competent authority has confirmed that no new agreement will be concluded for the agreement area, or

c) the management right has been revoked by the owner of the agreement area, or it was not extended despite the manager's willingness to extend it.

1. The manager or landowner shall submit a request to the Nature and Landscape Protection Department for the attention of the district to conclude an agreement regarding compensations for additional conservation services.

2. The Nature and Landscape Protection Department reviews the request and provides the parties with a draft agreement.

3. The landowner or manager, the district, the Nature and Landscape Protection Department, and the Agricultural Office shall each receive a copy of the signed agreement.

4. In the event of disputes regarding sanctions, the Nature and Landscape Protection Department shall issue a decision.

1. If the annual compensations to a manager or landowner amount to a total of less than CHF 10, they will not be paid out.

1. This Decision shall enter into force on January 1, 2017.