The State of Vorarlberg on the Internet

As Austria is a member of the European Union, Vorarlberg is obliged to observe the environmental protection regulations of the EU.

Of immediate significance are:

• Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, in short the FFH directive
• Council Directive 79/401/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, in short the  Bird Protection Directive 

An important aim of these directives is the creation of a European-wide protected habitat system with uniform criteria for endangered animal and plant species and for rare habitats. The member states are obliged to install a network of special areas of protection under the heading of  "Natura 2000".

Fauna, Flora, Habitat Directive (FFH directive)
The main aim of the directive is "to promote the maintenance of biodiversity, taking account of economic, social, cultural and regional requirements". The directive provides for the setting up of a European-wide ecological network of protected areas (Natura 2000 network) by the year 2004 in order to secure natural habitats of Community interest  on a long-term basis. The Annexes must be observed for the implementation of the directive. Annex 1 lists the natural habitats of Community interest and Annex 2  the animal and plant species of Community interest.

Bird protection directive
Appendix 1 of the Bird Protection Directive lists those species for which special protection measures must be taken "to ensure their survival and their multiplication in their natural range". Article 4 demands the provision of special protection areas to preserve the habitats of species in Annex 1 and the breeding and wintering areas for migrating birds not listed in Annex 1.

Natura 2000 Network
The Natura 2000 Network is to be complete in 2004. Areas in accordance with the Bird Protection Directive are also to be included in the Natura 2000 Network. The main provisions of the FFH directive shall also apply to the bird sanctuary areas as of the year 2004. The first national designation of an area was the beginning of a protracted process. Up to 2004 the European Commission will examine whether the national area list covers all of the habitat types relevant for Austria. In a selection procedure set out in the FFH Directive, suitable Natura 2000 areas are picked for the respective biogeographic region. Austria occupies parts of the Alpine and continental region. All of Vorarlberg is in the Alpine biogeographic region.

Protection and conservation measures 
With these two directives the EU was not merely concerned to regulate environmental protection in the member states. The aim of the directives is rather to create minimum standards for environmental protection throughout Europe. Natura 2000 thus represents a pragmatic instrument. There is no a priori prohibition on the use of land or resources within the proposed areas, nor does the directive demand any particular legal protective status for these areas. The demand is that within the Natura 2000 areas the favourable status of certain biotope and habitat types is preserved or, ideally, improved. How this is to be implemented in practice is a matter for the individual member state. This can be on the basis of legal protection but contractual environmental protection or administration agreements are also possible instruments for implementation. If an area is part of the Natura 2000 Network, then only for one reason:

List of Vorarlberg areas:

• Alpenmannstreu Gamperdonatal
  Surface area: 37.61 hectares, FFH Directive
• Bangs-Matschels
  Surface area: 447.42 hectares, FFH and Bird Protection Directive
• Bregenzerachschlucht
  Surface area: 434.02 hectares, FFH Directive
• Fohramoos
  Surface area: 54.29 hectares, FFH Directive
• Gadental
  Surface area: 1,543.77 hectares, FFH Directive
• Gsieg-Obere Mähder
  Surface area: 73.13 hectares, FFH Directive
• Klostertaler Bergwälder
  Surface area: 2,143.30 hectares, Bird Protection Directive
• Lauteracher Ried
  Surface area: 579.71 hectares, Bird Protection Directive
• Leiblach
  Surface area: 7.62 hectares, FFH Directive 
• Ludescherberg
  Surface area: 377.35 hectares, FFH Directive
• Mehrerauer Seeufer – Bregenzerachmündung
  Surface area: 118.29 hectares, FFH Directive
• Rheindelta
  Surface area: 2,065.65 hectares, FFH and Bird Protection Directive
• Rohrach
  Surface area: 48.19 hectares, FFH Directive
• Schuttfluren Tafamunt
  Surface area 68.43 hectares, FFH Directive
• Soren, Gleggen - Köblern, Schweizer Ried und Birken - Schwarzes Zeug
  Surface area: 317.62 hectares, FFH and Bird Protection Directive
• Spirkenwälder Brandnertal
  Surface area: 104.74 hectares, FFH Directive
• Spirkenwälder Innergamp
  Surface area: 43.87 hectares, FFH Directive
• Spirkenwälder Oberer Tritt
  Surface area: 11.87 hectares, FFH Directive
• Spirkenwälder Saminatal
  Surface area: 477.57 hectares, FFH Directive
• Unter-Überlut
  Surface area: 22.85 hectares, FFH Directive
• Verwall
  Surface area: 12,057.22 hectares, Bird Protection Directive
• Wiegensee
  Surface area: 64.74 hectares, FFH Directive
• Witmoos
  Surface area: 18.19 hectares, FFH Directive
  

Further information:

• European Commission
• Vorarlberg area map (Link to German page)