Nature or motorboats on Lake Wörthersee? Residents and visitors asked for their views

Should Lake Wörthersee expand its tourism offering, build more walking and cycling paths, or impose restrictions on motorboats? Those questions are being put to the public throughout September in a consultation known as the Seendialog.

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a sensitive ecological system with diverse interests in its use

The survey asks residents and visitors how they use the lake and what changes they would support. The participants include people with primary or second homes in the area, holidaymakers and day-trippers, local businesses and employees, clubs, initiatives and water-sports enthusiasts. The questionnaire is available online until September 30 and at offices in the seven neighboring municipalities: Klagenfurt, Krumpendorf, Pörtschach, Techelsberg, Velden, Schiefling and Maria Wörth.

Project organizers describe Wörthersee as a natural and residential environment, as well as an economic and tourism asset. They also call it "a sensitive ecological system with diverse interests in its use." Under the criteria of the EU Water Framework Directive, the lake’s ecological condition is currently rated only moderate. Aquatic plants and reed beds are declining, reducing habitat for waterbirds and other aquatic organisms.

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We want to protect Lake Wörthersee in the long term and link its ecological function with sustainable economic development.

Environment Minister Norbert Totschnig said the goal was to protect the lake’s long-term ecological function while linking it to sustainable economic development. State councillor Marika Lagger-Pöllinger said broad participation would help balance protection, recreation and regional development. The anonymous survey takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

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The broader the participation, the better we can combine protection, recreation and regional development.