Lake Constance
Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
Marion Hammerl*, Lake Constance Foundation, Konstanz, Germany, marionhammerl@yahoo.com
Udo Gattenloehner, Global Nature Fund, Radolfzell, Germany
* Corresponding author
Preface
This Experience and Lessons
Learned Brief was prepared by
the Lake Constance Foundation
(Bodensee-Stiftung), a private
environmental organization.
The sections concerning contri-
butions to unsustainable lake
use, constraints to sustainable
management of the lake and
lessons learned are refl ections
from the point of view of an
environmental organization.
Our statements agree with the
Lake Constance Environmental
Council (Umweltrat Bodensee)
and its 18 regional member
organizations. National and re-
gional administrations and the
international commissions, as
the "offi cials" responsible for
governance and management,
might have another opinion
concerning some aspects cov-
ered in this paper.
1. Description
Lake Constance (Figure 1) lies
just to the north of the Alps
at 395 m above sea level. It is
called Bodensee in German. It
has a surface area of 571.5 km2,
is 254 m deep and has a volume
of 48.5 km3. As a natural
ecosystem, Lake Constance is
a representative and signifi cant
natural habitat for plants and
animals in Central Europe.
Nature preserves such as
the Wollmatinger Ried and
Vorarlberg's Rhine delta enjoy
international prominence. Some
Figure 1. The Lake Constance Basin.
basic morphometric information
is presented in Table 1.

---

Lake Constance has German, Austrian and Swiss shorelines.
individuals of given species is as follows: great-crested grebe
The Principality of Liechtenstein is also located in the lake
(Podiceps cristatus) (12,700), gadwall (Anas strepera) (12,600),
basin. This international settlement and industrial region is
red-crested pochard (Netta rufi na) (20,400), pochard (Aythya
inhabited by over 3 million people. Over 500 people/km2 live
ferina) (80,000), tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) (116,000), and
along the shoreline of the lake.
coot (Fulica atra) (77,600).
1.1
Physical and Limnological Data
The occurrence of more than 350 bird species in Central
Europe is only possible in a region of favorable geographical
Lake Constance is the second largest pre-Alpine European position. The location of the lake at the northern edge of the
lake by area and volume after Lake Geneva. The lake basin is
Alps especially favors the occurrence of numerous migratory
situated in the Molasse basin of the northern Alpine foreland
birds. Some Alpine birds such as wallcreeper (Tichodroma
and was mainly formed by water and ice activity during the last
muraria) and crag martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris) breed in
Quaternary glaciation period more than 15,000 years before
the Lake Constance region or are guests such as golden eagle
present. The catchment area of Lake Constance is about 11,500
(Aquila chrysaetos), Alpine accentor (Prunella collaris) and ring
km2 and covers the territories of three European countries:
ouzel (Turdus torquatus).
Germany (28%), Switzerland with Liechtenstein (48%) and
Austria (24%).
The most important precondition for a bird life rich in species
at Lake Constance is its topographical and ecological diversity.
Lake Constance is traditionally divided into Lower Lake The Lake Constance area is a geographical plant-specifi c
Constance and Upper Lake Constance. More than 90% of contact zone with a wide range of fl oristic specialties. Apart
the water fl ow originates from the Alps by the three infl ows
from Mediterranean plants, Alpine and even steppe fl ora from
Alpenrhein, Bregenzerach and Dornbirnerach in the eastern
the East are found at Lake Constance.
part of the Upper Lake.
Unlike other large lakes in the foothills of the Alps, the water
Lake Constance is oriented from northwest to southeast and
level of Lake Constance is not regulated artifi cially. Plant
the water body is strongly infl uenced by wind activity. It is a
species of the lake shore are especially well adapted to the
low-phosphorus, mesotrophic, hard-water lake with calcite natural average change of 2 m between the winter low water
precipitation due to biogenically induced increase of the pH.
and the summer high water level. The endemic Myosotis
Electrical conductivity of the water typically ranges between
rehsteineri grow on gravelly soil in society with Deschampsia
260 and 300 µS/cm.
littoralis, shoreweed (Littorella unifl ora) and creeping
spearwort (Ranunculus reptans).
1.2 Wildlife
and
Habitats
1.3
Tourism and Recreation
As a natural ecosystem, Lake Constance is one of the most
representative and important wetland habitats for plants and
Tourism is among the most signifi cant economic values in
animals in Central Europe. Lake Constance has particular the German portion of the Lake Constance region. There are
signifi cance as a resting and wintering area for approximately
approximately 10 million overnight stays, generating around
250,000 water birds and is the most important inland 350 million gross turnover per year and approximately 15,000
body of water for water fowl in Germany, Switzerland and full-time jobs. About 27 million day-visitors (vacationers plus
Austria. During autumn and winter, the maximum number of
day guests) come to the region each year, mainly in the months
of July to mid-September.
Table 1. Morphometric Data of Lake Constance Basin.
During the past years, the Lake Constance region had a slight
Upper
Lower
Total
increase in overnight stays; on average, guests stay 5.5 days
Lake
Lake
compared to an average of 3.2 days in other parts of Germany.
Altitude (m asl) at middle
395.33
395.11
These visitors are undertaking outings above average in
water level
number and in length; their average length is 8.7 hours
Surface area of water (km2)
500
71.5
571.5
(the German average is 8 hours) and the average number of
Volume (106 m3)
47.678
0.808
48.486
kilometers traveled to come to tourist site is 91, compared
Maximum depth (m)
253.3
46
to the German average of 70 km. Eighty-fi ve percent of these
Mean depth (m)
101
13
85
vacation and recreational trips are undertaken by car.
Mean range of annual water
1.50
1.48
level fl uctuation (m)
1.4 Shoreline
Construction
Length of shoreline (km)
186
87
273
In addition to the settlements and the transportation
Mean outfl ow (109 m3/yr)
11.1
11.7
11.7
infrastructure, there are also recreational facilities, shoreline
Residence time (yr)
4.3
0.07
fortifi cations/protective structures and excavations for sand
Catchment area (km2)
10,919
568
11,487
and gravel. Today, 42% of the Lake Constance shoreline in the
146 Lake
Constance

---

Federal State of Baden-Württemberg is built up with quays
a signifi cant economic value of the lake. Supply is the
or walled embankments. Fourteen percent of the shoreline responsibility of the non-profi t Lake Constance Water Supply
outside of protected areas is made up of weekend houses,
Authority (BWW), a communal institution with 177 members.
private bathing areas, public parks or recreation facilities. Over
The water is pumped from the Überlingen part of the lake and
15% of the settlements are constructed less than 50 m from the
distributed through a 1,700 km long network of pipes to users.
shore. A quarter of the Baden-Württemberg shoreline is taken
up by buoys or fi elds of buoys, jetties or harbors. The harbors
The members pay a single initial contribution as well as
for recreational boats, jetties, beaches and shoreline walkways
costs for support, operation and administration according to
are associated with embankments and shoreline constructions
the quantity of water they use. In 2001, water consumption
and result in severe impacts on nature. They alter the direction
amounted to roughly 130 million m3. Profi ts from the electricity
of the current, lead to erosion and sedimentation, inhibit the
the BWW produces are used to reduce the price of water,
capacity of the shallow water zones to cleanse themselves,
which has been decreasing steadily for years, and is at
and destroy the habitats of the fi sh populations.
present about 35 cents per m3. In 2001, BWW invested over 7
million in new buildings in order to improve supply facilities.
1.5 Agriculture
A total investment of 84.8 million is planned up to the year
2006, which will be fi nanced by the rates paid by towns and
The part of the Lake Constance landscape, which traditionally
communities.
was cultivated in a natural way, is even today dominated by
agriculture. About 433,000 ha of the Lake Constance area are
1.7
Services and Industry
being used for agriculture. Most lands are used as green fi elds
and pasture land which make up 76% (330,000 ha). Crops are
Industry operates at a high level of technological effi ciency
grown on 16.4% (71,000 ha) and 6.9% (30,000 ha) is taken
in the Lake Constance area. One of the key success factors of
up by so called special cultures. In order of importance these
this effi ciency is historic: the technology branches of aviation
are: fruit plantations, hop, vegetables, and vines. The total
and automotive have formed the traditional backbone of
agriculturally used area was only reduced by 5% in the past
the economy of the northern lake region for more than 100
two decades.
years. The world famous zeppelin is inseparably linked to the
Lake Constance area. Technological effi ciency also directly
Lake Constance is the biggest cultivation area for pomaceous
depends on the high qualifi cations of the staff employed in
fruit in Germany, whose cultivation increased by 10% during
the research and development departments. Lake Constance
the past 10 years, compared to a decrease of 7% in other
has the second highest rate of highly qualifi ed technology staff
tree fruit cultivations. Apples are the main fruit cultivated. in Germany and the Lake Constance-Upper Swabia region is
About 1,600 fruit growers cultivate about 7,400 hectares. ranked number four in Germany by the German Patents Atlas.
Yearly about 220,000 tons of pomaceous fruits are produced
The Friedrichshafen area is the strongest economic region
for the fruit trade. Overall, 20% of the pomaceous fruit on the lake and is also national leader in the fi elds of patent
production in Germany comes from around Lake Constance.
registrations and work productivity. Technological leadership
Ninety percent of the land is cultivated according to integrated
is not only based on the main sectors of automotive supply and
production, with 5% following to organic farming principles.
aerospace but also on telecommunications and electronics.
Organic farming has been practiced for a long time at Lake
Constance. The number of registered organic farms in Baden-
1.8 Energy
Consumption
Württemberg's Lake Constance region (Bodenseekreis,
Konstanz und Ravensburg districts) is nearly twice as high as
Up to now, over 60% of the energy required by industry,
in the rest of Germany (4.6% compared to 2.4%). In the small
trade and private households in the Lake Constance area has
country of the Principality of Liechtenstein, the level of organic
been supplied by nuclear power stations. The Solar Complex
farms has even reached a level of 21%.
Potential Study for Renewable Energy Sources in the Konstanz
District has been carried out for the western area of Lake
The number of agricultural businesses around Lake Constance
Constance. The study concluded it would be possible to supply
has decreased steadily in recent decades. Currently there are
the area (excluding traffi c) with renewable energies generated
still approximately 24,000 farms in the Lake Constance region.
in the region, on the basis of further increases in effi ciency
The competition among farms has lead to an overall increase
and extensive use of the existing potential, providing that
in farm size. The average size of a farm is currently 17.8 ha.
energy consumption is reduced or energy effi ciency improved
The general conditions are quite diffi cult for the fruit growers
by a factor of 2 to 3. The study demonstrated the following
because during the past 10 years the manufacturers' prices
potential markets for renewable energy sources:
have fallen continuously.
·
In the region there are approximately 2.5 million m2 of
1.6 Drinking
Water
roof space available which would be appropriate for the
generation of a yearly average of circa 135 million kWh
The supply of drinking water to 320 towns and communities
by means of solar cells (135 GWh);
with a total of approximately 4 million inhabitants is

Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
147

---

·
Solarthermic power generation on 50% of the available
important and drastic loss of typical and valuable landscape
and appropriate surfaces would create energy structures and biodiversity.
amounting to around 150 million kWh (150 GWh) yearly;
In comparison to other destinations in Germany or Austria,
·
The potential for hydroelectric power generation in Lake Constance does not have a profi le towards ecologically-
the region of the Aach by Radolfzell and by Stockacher
orientated tourism. A regional eco-label, legal requirements,
amounts to 35,000 MWh per year (35 GWh);
subventions or special formation to distinguish and to
promote sustainable tourism does not exist. Seasonal
·
Wind power generation: Potential areas around 800 ha,
tourism (many day guests in July, August and September)
i.e. 40 optimally located sites generating 140,000 MWh
causes high environmental pollution through traffi c and other
(140 GWh) yearly;
ways. Additionally, land consumption and urban sprawl are
proceeding.
·
With wood biomass alone, 185 million kWh of end-use
power could be generated yearly (185 GWh);
There is no cross-border protection concept for the whole lake
shoreline and water body, no declaration of common protected
·
Using biogas from manure and slurry 26 GWh of electric
areas, and no assimilation of already existing cross-border
power and 31 GWh useable heat could be generated in
protected areas. In the Bodensee Agenda 21, the International
the region;
Bodesee Conference (IBK; described below) took up a regional
development project which was intended to contribute to the
·
The energy contained within the plant oils currently sustainable development of the environment, business and
harvested in the Konstanz district amounts to circa 15.5
society. In the individual fi elds of activity designated in the
GWh;
model, appreciable contradictions and defi cits are apparent.
This is particularly the case in the areas of settlement
·
By reactivating land no longer in use through the development and transportation.
cultivation of energy-rich plants (poplars, willows, giant
Chinese silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis gigenteus),
2.2 Social
Aspects
etc.) 65 GWh could be generated yearly;
The protection of environment and nature conservation is an
·
Geothermal heat (heating buildings by means of issue in all political declarations and programs. Therefore,
geothermal probes) has a potential of approximately 30
environmental problems (except for traffi c-related ones) are
GWh; and,
only indirectly perceivable and are no longer as "obvious" as
they once were. The inhabitants of the Lake Constance region
·
Geothermal plants for energy from medium depth: get the false impression that nature conservation is in the
ca. 200 GWh yearly; yearly generation of 200 GWh of
control of competent authorities and that solutions will be
electricity and yearly generation of 600 GWh heat from
sought.
deep geothermal probes.
The demand in environmentally-sound products in the fi elds of
2.
Threats and Responses
energy, food, transportation, leisure activities and tourism is
still very feeble. Especially in economically diffi cult times, with
This section reviews contributions to unsustainable lake use
a high rate of unemployment, consumers prefer buying cheap
and constraints to sustainable management of the lake.
products thus accepting environmental stress.
2.1 Ecological
Aspects
Finally, it should be noted that there is no cross-border Lake
Constance regional identity within the catchment area.
Even with the high proportion of organic farms and the
conversion of many areas to integrated production methods,
2.3 Economic
Aspects
agriculture is still causing considerable environmental
pollution and represents a potential for ecological problems
Economic and policy decision makers have not yet understood
for the natural area and the drinking water reservoir, Lake that the environmental orientation of the region is a chance to
Constance. It has been proved that the use of chemicals and
broaden the regional economic profi le. For example, there are
synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is causing dangerous no special privileges (e.g., tax relief ) for ecologically oriented
nutrient loading in the lake and its tributaries.
enterprises. Also, high consumption of natural resources
occurs through tourism and leisure infrastructure and lacks
There are no concepts for rural management. The sites of ecological orientation and environmental management. There
marginal returns which were cultivated up to now are being
is neither a frame of reference nor a marketing system for
used less and less for agriculture. There is no integrative regional organic products. It was only possible to gain few
general management concept to secure the cultivation and food stores, restaurants, canteens and tourism agencies as
to support the structural changes. There is a great danger of
customers. The share of regional organic products in the food
148 Lake
Constance

---

business is very small. Lake Constance is rarely used as a One of the few successful projects towards environmentally
brand name.
friendly tourism is the ECOCAMPING Project initiated by
Lake Constance Foundation. Within ECOCAMPING, the
2.4 Landscape
and
Waterscape
Lake Constance Foundation developed an environmental
management system for camping sites, oriented according to
Settlement planning must be based to a greater extent than
the EU-EMAS Eco-Audit Scheme. ECOCAMPING started in 1999
today on responsible land and soil usage. The shore regions
with 14 camping sites around Lake Constance. Now 49 camping
are among the most densely settled areas in the basin with
sites in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria are participating in
500 inhabitants/km2. The amount of settled and paved areas
this project and camping sites in other regions were scheduled
is more than twice as high in the shoreline communities as
to start in 2003/2004 to create ECOCAMPING working groups.
in those in the "second row." Despite the high costs of land
zoned for construction, an increase in population of 4 to 12%
Recreational boating is also a threat to the lake. As a favorite
by 2005 has been predicted for the lakeshore communities in
venue for water recreation, Lake Constance has at present
the Lake Constance district (Bodenseekreis).
55,000 offi cially registered watercraft, two-thirds of which
have an engine. Recreational facilities such as buoy fi elds,
In response, in July 2001 the Lake Constance Foundation harbors and jetties, and also buildings and parking lots take
started the project "ECO-LUP: Environmental Management for
up about 45 km of the lakeshore in Baden-Württemberg alone.
Local Land Use Planning". The goal is to establish preparatory
A further 30 km are used by beaches, camping grounds and
and legally binding sustainable land use planning through lakeshore walkways. Along with the structural changes in and
the development and introduction of an Environmental resulting damage to the shore zone and the shallows, the sport
Management System (Eco-Audit) in urban land-use planning
and recreational activities cause disturbances and damage to
at the local level. The cities of Constance and Überlingen at
the sensitive animal and plant populations.
the German border of the lake, the City of Dornbirn and the
Municipality of Wolfurt in Austria are project partners.
Particularly the lake's shallow bays are favorite places to
anchor boats or for bathing, but these are preferred habitats
In terms of transportation, the Lake Constance region has one
of endangered plants and animals, as well. Today, the most
of the highest concentrations of streets and traffi c in rural valuable shore regions and shallows are closed to water sport
Germany. For this reason, high priority must be given to the
or recreation either temporarily or throughout the year.
development of a regional transportation system by means
of sensible international cooperation. Above all, the pleasing
2.6 Fisheries
improvements in the public train, bus and ship systems should
be continued in order to reduce the pollution caused by The threat to the fi sheries of the lake is due to the fact that the
motorized forms of individual transport.
lake has become oligotrophic again, and this has resulted in a
decrease in the total catch, i.e. the natural catch limit has been
2.5
Tourism and Recreation
reached. In 2000, there were approximately 140 professional
fi shermen in the Upper Lake region of Lake Constance, in the
The lake and its neighboring regions are an important magnet
Lower Lake region there were 39. The decrease in the catch
for vacation guests and locals in their leisure time. Sixty and in profi ts has forced many fi shermen to work part-time or
percent of the annual visitors are concentrated on the ten most
to try to improve their income by the direct sale of additionally
attractive places for outings. These visitors cause important
bought goods. Most fi shing businesses are family fi rms in
environmental problems, especially traffi c. Up to now, the which two generations work together. The fi shery authorities
measures to inform and sensitize these visitors have been expect the number of fi shermen to continue to decrease.
inadequate.
Whitefi sh and perch are the main catches. The ten-year average
In response, the introduction of the "Bodensee Erlebniskarte"
for the fi shermen on the Upper Lake is approximately 800 tons
as an all-inclusive-card by the "Internationale Bodensee-
of whitefi sh and 270 tons of perch. The corresponding fi gures
Tourismus GmbH" could have been a valid groundwork for for the Lower Lake are 100 and 32 tons, respectively. Other
touristic mobility which protects the environment, but up to
species of fi sh include whitefi sh and, since the 1980s, the
now train and bus systems have not been properly added to
pope, a perch species.
the package. In 2001, the Lake Constance Foundation created
"BodenseeClick", a web-based information system, which The availability of fresh fi sh is dependent on the season.
for the fi rst time was able to combine public transportation
In general the catch in summer and autumn are higher
schedules with destinations in the international region of than in spring or winter. Although the purchase of fi sh for
interest for tourists. Unfortunately, the Lake Constance Tourism
the wholesaler is welcome regardless of the season, those
Association did not assume the management and continuation
working in the catering business are greatly dependent on
of BodenseeClick.
tourism, especially on the German side of the lake. For this
reason the German fi shermen are involved to a greater extent
in direct marketing.

Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
149

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As far as sustainability is concerned, fi shing on Lake Constance
mayors and town councilors. Moreover, the use of the red-
is among the most progressive in Europe. It must be said,
hearted beech for the manufacture of furniture has been
however, that even on Lake Constance there are questions fostered along with improved marketing of regional fi rewood.
and aspects that have not been suffi ciently considered or
investigated up to now. The lake was even stocked with some
2.8 Water
Management
species from other lakes or distant regions of the world. For
this reason, genetically deviant or non-native species can The most important impulse for international cooperation was
be found in the lake. The newcomers to the Lake Constance
and is shared concern about drinking water. This German and
region include the zander and the rainbow trout.
Swiss common interest in its use will also continue to be of
central signifi cance for regional economic policy. In view of
The environment and wildlife protection agencies have up new stresses on the environment caused by increasing water
to now not taken suffi cient notice of the consequences and
usage, experts continue to strongly advocate wide-ranging
the development of fi shing. As a rule they only concerned protection measures in order to prevent a decrease in the
themselves with fi shing when direct confl icts arose, e.g. the
quality of Lake Constance's water and to achieve the "lowest
shooting of cormorants. It was rare for them to look below the
possible levels of fertilizer and pollutants in the lake".
surface of the water.
2.9 Drinking
Water
Quality
In response, for the last three years the Lake Constance Council
for the Environment has been more intensively occupied with
Ensuring the quality of drinking water is the central challenge
the issue and has formulated a policy document with three
in the region. The total phosphorus content of the lake water
main aims:
rose from <10 mg/m3 in the 1950s to 87 mg/m3 in 1979. Thanks
to international cooperation and investments totaling over
·
to improve the expertise on fi shing and fi sh biology six billion Swiss francs for construction and modernization of
in the wildlife protection organizations around Lake sewage canals and 220 water treatment plants, the phosphorus
Constance;
level was reduced to 12 mg/m3 by 2001 (Figure 2).
·
to provide validated specialist statements on issues of
According to a new model calculation by the Internationalen
fi sh farming from the point of view of the protection of
Gewässerschutzkommission für den Bodensee (IGKB,
wildlife resources; and,
International Water Protection Commission for Lake Constance;
described below), the oxygenation of the water nearest to the
·
to establish regular and constructive dialogue with the
bottom of the lake can only be held at 4 mg/L (at least in the
fi shing industry, in order to fi nd common positions and
long term) if the concentration of phosphorus in the lake's
strategies.
open water can be lowered to approximately 10 mg/m3.
However, since that time it has been demonstrated that most
2.7 Forestry
of the lake trout spawn, which lies on the lake bottom, can no
longer develop at an oxygen content of 4 mg/l (IGKB 2000).
In the German area of Lake Constance basin, 35% percent of the
land is forest. Broad-leaved trees are predominant
in the western region of Lake Constance, whereas
0.10
in the Upper Swabian hinterland pine trees make
up 49% of the forest area. In both regions the
potentially natural vegetation is broad-leaved trees
0.08
rich in beeches. Wood-working and manufacturing
fi rms are economically important. In the northern
0.06
region of Lake Constance, for example, there
are 35 sawmills, with an annual cut of 700,000
m3, which is 20% of the total cut for the state of
0.04
Baden-Württemberg. There are also approximately
150 carpentries and about 350 joineries. However,
these medium-sized companies and the existence
0.02
of numerous forest owners are being threatened
Total Phosphorus Concentration (mg/L)
by low prices and the pressure to import cheap
0.00
timber.
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
Year
Within the framework of the "Lake Constance:
Ready for the Future" Project, specialist events Figure 2. Total Phosphorus of Lake Constance (Upper Lake) during
Mixing Period (February to April) (Source: International
on building with timber have been organized over
Commission for Water Conservancy for Lake Constance).
a period of three years for local master-builders,
150 Lake
Constance

---

Rossknecht (1996) characterizes the pollution in Lake 2.11 Catchment
Management
Constance as follows: "Numerous pollutants from domestic
sewage, business, industry and agriculture are still fl owing
In order to ensure long-term protection of Lake Constance's
into the lake as before. Even in small amounts, they can have
drinking water reserves, the quality of the water in the
a negative infl uence on Lake Constance's spectrum of species,
tributaries is of decisive signifi cance. For this reason,
its ability to clean itself and thereby its entire ecosystem. For
signifi cant parts of the lake's catchment area (11,500 km2)
this reason, efforts to keep Lake Constance clean are to be
were included in the cleanup program. According to monitoring
continued with persistence." In particular, Rossknecht calls data, non-point sources of pollution, including fertilizers used
for a reduction in the levels of agricultural fertilizers being
in agriculture, present an acute problem, noting as above
released into the lake, which are responsible for about 50% of
that 50% of the lake's detectable phosphorus comes from
the detectable phosphorus.
agriculture.
The successful reduction of the phosphorus reading does 2.12 Chronology of Major Lake Management Issues
not diminish the fact that the concentrations currently being
and Activities
measured are still too high. In addition, countless other
substances have been measured in Lake Constance's water
Fortunately, in the early 1960s, phosphorus was already
such as nitrates and various plant-protective agents. The open
recognized as the main factor responsible for eutrophication.
water's nitrate content continues to show a slight increasing
Until the early 1970s, the major part of sewage entered the lake
trend.
without any treatment. During the 1970s, an annual increase of
15% in phosphorus concentration was observed. As a result,
In the lake's tributaries, various plant-protection chemicals algal growth increased greatly. In 1972, during a phase of
have been measured; fi rst above all is Atrazin. After its usage
unfavorable climatic conditions and extremely low water load,
was forbidden, the water's Diuron content rose noticeably. oxygen depletion beyond 2 mg/L occurred in the deepest part
Since then, this global herbicide has been found regularly in
of the lake. In 1979, phosphorus reached its maximum value
all tributaries. In order to avoid the pollution of Lake Constance
of 87 mg/m3. During that time channel systems and effi cient
by plant-protection chemicals, a long-term, general reduction
sewage plants with three purifi cation stages (physical,
in the use of pesticides in the catchment area is required biological and chemical) were built throughout the catchment
(Rossknecht 1996; Staatsanzeiger Baden-Württemberg Nr. area. More than 4 billion were invested to connect almost
50/1996). In addition, the use of toxic and water-polluting anti-
92% of the inhabitants to these plants.
fouling paints for boats has yet to be fully enforced to this day.
From 1980 onwards, the phosphorus increase was stopped
2.10 Water
Quantity
and its concentration sunk from 87 mg/m3 in 1979 to 12 mg/m3
in 2001. Nevertheless the true scale to estimate the effect of
The draining of greater amounts of water from Lake Constance
restoration is not the reduction in phosphorus but the biological
was regulated as early as 1967 by an international convention.
response of the lake, especially that of phytoplankton. For
The agreement ensures that before they are permitted to some years algal biomass has shown a decreasing trend. For
drain water, the lakeshore states are required to give each
example, in the shallow water zones and in the area of river
other adequate opportunity to take a stance: (a) in the case
mouths the success has been very convincing. The success
of planned usage outside of the region supplied by Lake can be considered a step in lake development towards a state
Constance's hydraulic system, if the requested amount is above
typical of a lower nutrient level. The continuous data sets
the level of 750 L/s in each case; or (b) in the case of planned
show that the phytoplankton composition and its seasonal
usage inside of the region supplied by Lake Constance's distribution have changed to a situation known from the times
hydraulic system, if the requested amount is above the level of
when the lake was oligotrophic.
1,500 L/s in each case.
With increasing numbers of inhabitants, the problem of growth
The administration union Lake Constance Water Supply of the remaining phosphorus and other harmful substances
(Bodenseewasserversorgung), which requires 130 million m3
becomes topical. Therefore the IGKB Guidelines from 1987
of water per year and supplies the state of Baden-Württemberg
demand a holistic view to include the catchment area and all
up to its northernmost parts, has permission from the state's
fi elds affecting the lake, especially in industry, agriculture,
authorities to drain 7,750 L/s on a daily average, including a
settlement and traffi c. In addition to the stress caused by
nightly maximal usage of 10,500 L/s. It should be emphasized
substantial loads, the stress by structural interferences is to
that in this case that average rate of evaporation is twice as
be considered in the same way. Preventive measures should be
high as the greatest amount permissible to drain from the realized before harmful effects occur.
lake.
All these efforts may serve to develop Lake Constance so
that it is stable against anthropogenic stress coupled with
unfavorable climatic conditions, which have increased during
the last years. To obtain this state it is necessary to improve

Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
151

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the quality of the whole lake from its littoral to pelagic and
Württemberg and Bayern: the Austrian State of Vorarlberg; and
profoundal zones. At the moment, Lake Constance can be the Principality of Liechtenstein. The population and surface
looked at as an ecosystem in transition.
area of the above jurisdictions is given in Table 4.
Table 2 provides a chronology of some of the major milestones
All important IBK decisions are taken by consensus. The
in offi cial environmental policies over the years at Lake common activities are fi nanced by the members. The
Constance. Table 3 highlights some of the key contributions of
percentage of fi nancing of each member is fi xed according
NGOs over time.
to the extent of the territory. IBK is organized in a Permanent
Committee and seven Commissions. Every year a conference
2.13 Administrative and Political Framework
with all prime ministers of the member states takes place
in one of the member states. In 1999, the Environment
As a rule, the federal governments of the states bordering Commission published a report entitled Measures in the
the lake hold responsibility for only the few areas covered Fields of Agriculture and Water Protection in the Lake
in the international agreements that have been established.
Constance Region which summarized the problems, the legal
Important international bodies discussed below.
and administrative framework, and necessary activities and
measures to be taken, especially cross-border cooperation
2.13.1 International Bodensee Conference (IBK)
between the administrations.
The IBK is an inter-governmental organization of the lakeside
federal states and cantons. It was founded in 1972. Today, Cooperation between IBK and other commissions and
the IBK has ten members: the Swiss Cantons of St.Gallen, institutions is not regularly organized; however, one member
Thurgau, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell of the IGKB is represented in the permanent committee of IBK.
Ausserrhoden and Zürich; the German States of Baden-
The publication "Bodensee-Informationsdienst" is distributed
Table 2. Milestones of Offi cial Environmental Policy.
Year
Environmental Policy
1961
Agreement on the Protection of Lake Constance from Pollution
1971
Planning Guidelines for Construction Along the Shore of Lake Constance, Baden-Württemberg Ordinance
1976
Lake Constance Shipping Order
1977
International Guidelines for the Lake Constance Area, Zoning Commissions
The Future of a Clean Lake Constance, Memorandum from the International Commission on Water Conservation
1987
for Lake Constance
1993
Introduction of stricter emission regulations for motor boats (Stage 1); (Stage 2 from 1996 onwards)
1994
Lake Constance Guidelines, International Lake Constance Conference
1994
Environmental Program for the Lake Constance Region of the Baden-Württemberg State Government
1997
Lake Constance Agenda, International Lake Constance Conference
PLENUM for Western Lake Constance, the State of Baden-Württemberg's Program for the Preservation and
2001
Development of Nature and the Environment
Table 3. NGO Contributions to Internationalist and Integrationist Approaches.
Year
Contribution
1958
Founding of the Lake Constance Ornithological Working Group
1990
Project for Environmental Conservation on Lake Constance (German Environmental Protection Agency)
Founding of the Lake Constance Ecological Council as an international association of nature and environmental
1991
conservationist organizations (actually 18 member associations)
1991
Model Project Constance "Linking of Biotopes and Extensifi cation of Farmland in the District of Constance"
1994
Founding of the Lake Constance Foundation
1995
Position paper "Recreation and Tourism on Lake Constance" by Lake Constance Environmental Council
Lake Constance Foundation confederation project "Sustainable Lake Constance" (Contributions to a lasting
environmental safeguarding and development as a drinking water reservoir and international model region. The
1997
goal is to show by way of practical examples how environmental quality can be improved and natural resources
used sustainably demonstrating that protecting nature and the environment is profi table for business.)
1998
Lake Constance Environmental Council Position paper "Environment and Transportation on the Bodensee"
2000
Position Paper "Fisheries" by the Lake Constance Environmental Council
152 Lake
Constance

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every week via e-mail and is also available on the IBK's 2.13.3 International Proxy Conference for the Lake
website. IBK has an offi ce in Constance which handles public
Constance Fishery (Internationale Bevollmächtigt
information and relations. In the case of specifi c aspects, the
enkonferenz für die Bodenseefi scherei, IBKF).
IBK´s experts can be involved.
The IBKF was founded in 1893 and is responsible for the.
"Agreement on the Use of Similar Regulations for the
The "Parlamentarier-Kommission" represents local people of
Fishing Industries on Lake Constance", which are the fi shing
the region. A regular exchange of information between IBK
regulations for Lake Constance, Upper Lake.
and this board is organized. Local people and stakeholders can
present their questions and requests also in the IBK offi ce in
Minutes of all meetings are exchanged between the IBKF and
Constance.
IGKB, with request for comments on special problems to other
commissions. Reports about annual activities are presented at
The budget in 2002 for the IBK was 250,000, mainly used
annual meetings of other commissions. Members of different
for personnel costs and communication and public relations.
commissions work together in the EU working groups, such as
The IBK's work is funded by membership fees of the lakeside
the EU Water Framework Directive.
federal states and cantons. The basis for membership fees are
population fi gures and share of lakeshore. Some projects are
The IBKF's external communication is organized through yearly
co-fi nanced by the EU Interregional Program.
press-information about IBKF activities. Additional press
information is provided about concrete items. Information
2.13.2 International Commission for Boating
about fi shermen is the responsibility of the member states.
on Lake Constance (Internationale
Professional fi shermen and line fi shermen (anglers) are
Schiffahrtskommission für den Bodensee, ISKB)
represented in the Lake Constance Fishery Federation (IBF).
The ISKB was founded in 1973 as a state agreement among
This federation can present requests to IBKF.
Austria, Germany and Switzerland. There are no fi xed rules and
system regarding communication and cooperation. If there are
It was not possible to determine the 2002 budget. All general
aspects related to the other commissions, the chairman of the
costs and studies of the IBFK are fi nanced by lakeside federal
other commission will receive a written advice.
states and cantons.
There is no regular communication to the public. The 2.13.4 International Commission for the Protection
Commission gives recommendations to the Federal States and
of Lake Constance (Internationale
Cantons only. The Commission informs via press releases, only
Gewässerschutzkommission für den Bodensee,
if a decision of the Commission is of special relevance to the
IGKB)
public.
Lake Constance is a curiosity under international law. Clearly
defi ned national frontiers between Switzerland and Germany
There is no direct involvement of stakeholders in the exist in the Lower Lake. In the Upper Lake, only the shallow
Commission's work. In the case of the elaboration of new water area from the shoreline to 25 m water depth is national
regulations, stakeholders can use the legal proceedings as a
territory of the bordering countries. The major part of Upper
means of involvement in the member states. Results of these
Lake Constance is considered as common property, a so-called
legal proceedings are included into the fi nal recommendation
"condominium".
of ISKB to the member states.
The IGKB was founded in 1959 by the three riparian countries
The ISKB has no budget of its own. All costs to organize a
(Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) in order to preserve the
meeting, including follow-up, are covered by the member lake ecosystem from further degradation. In 1960 came an
states by rotation system.
Agreement on the Protection of Lake Constance from Pollution
(signed into law in November 1961). In 1987 the IGBK created
Table 4. Population and Surface Area of Jursiditions in the Lake Constance Basin.
Nation or Sub-national Entity
Inhabitants
Surface Area (km2)
Liechtenstein
32,015
160
Austria: State of Vorarlberg
363,971

2,601
Switzerland: Cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell-Ausserrhoden, Appenzell-
2,011,493
5,468.58
Innerrhoden, Thurgau, Schaffhausen, and Zürich
Germany: Sate of Baden-Württemberg's Federal State Districts of Konstanz,
862,610
4,318.71
Bodenseekreis, Ravensburg, and Sigmaringen
Germany: State of Bayern's Federal State Districts of Lindau, Oberallgäu, and
284,882
1,913.35
Stadt Kempten
Total
3,554,971
14,461.64
Source: Regio-Büro
Bodensee.

Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
153

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a Memorandum called "The Future of a Clean Lake Constance:
a few existing extensive well-run preserves with effective
Long and Short Term Measures".
regulations. These criteria for conservation and the areas
themselves conform to international standards, in practice,
The main duties of the IGKB are the observation of the lake,
show important defi ciencies.
confi rmation of the causes of its pollution, recommendations
for coordinated preventive measures, and discussion of the
2.14.1 Ramsar Sites
planned uses of the lake.
Wollmatinger Ried-Giehrenmoos-Gnadensee and Mindelsee
(Germany) and the Rhine delta (Austria) were nominated as
The commission meets at least once a year and is composed
Ramsar sites in 1976 and 1983, respectively. Ermatingen basin
of delegates from member governments and a limited number
and Stein am Rhein in Switzerland are in the planning stage
of high offi cers of those governments. As an advisory agency,
and a date of nomination has not yet been fi xed.
the commission cannot decide on rules and actions connected
with environmental protection, but by agreement the regional
2.14.2 NATURA 2000 Areas
governments are obliged to transform the recommendations of
Areas in Germany and Austria have been nominated for the
the IGKB into national law. A technical and scientifi c board of
NATURA 2000 network of nature preserves being planned by
experts serves as offi cial consultants to the commission. They
the European Union. The responsible administrative bodies
elaborate the research program and prepare reports on the
have proceeded in quite different ways in terms of procedure
research sanctioned by the commission. The board of experts
and the extent of their plans.
has three working groups for studying special problems
concerning the topics "Lake", "Catchment Area" and "Accident
Baden-Württemberg's offi cial list (as of March 2001) designated
Defense". The working results are summarized and published
a total of approximately 37,000 ha for the Lake Constance
in so-called green reports (annual investigation data of the
region. In contrast, the unoffi cial listing put together by NABU
lake monitoring) and blue reports (case studies and special
for the same region contains an area of a total of 91,383 ha
topics).
which were determined in accordance with the criteria of the
FFH guidelines, or those for the preservation of birds.
Communication and cooperation organized between the
international Lake Constance commissions occurs through 2.14.3 Regional Lake Shore Protection in Baden-
exchange of minutes between IGKB and other commissions.
Württemberg
There are also common working groups, participation In order to protect the valuable and sensitive shallows, which
in the meetings of other commissions, and exchange of make up about 17% of the total lake surface, protected areas
information (written, via phone or e-mail). The IGKB's external
have been established in the Lake Constance shoreline
communication is organized through media information, plans set down by the Hochrhein-Bodensee and Bodensee-
a regular publication entitled Seespiegel, regular reports Oberschwaben (Upper Rhine-Lake Constance and Lake
("Green" and "Blue" Reihe) and special reports, working group
Constance-Upper Swabia) regional associations.
public relations, and a website.
Protected Zone I is made up of shoreline close to its natural
IGKB is not an executing agency and gives only condition and transition zones with biotopes deserving
recommendations to members. Stakeholders are involved protection or valuable fi shing or spawning areas. In Baden-
according to the national legal possibilities.
Württemberg 51% of the shoreline has been designated as
belonging to this category. In such areas, embankments,
The budget for 2002 could not be determined exactly. harbor facilities, jetties, buoy fi elds and other constructions are
Approximately 232,000 was spent for common projects, not permitted. Public beaches may be renovated or expanded,
reports and public relations. Not included are the consequential
mooring places for rescue crafts, lake access for windsurfers,
costs of recommendations by IGKB such as improvement of
drinking water pipes, telephone and electrical cables or pipes
wastewater collection and wastewater treatment plants, which
releasing water for treatment plants may be introduced.
has represented an investment of more than 4 billion up to
now.
Protected Zone II makes up 27% of the Lake Constance
shoreline in Baden-Württemberg. Here, public and private
Financing by the lakeside federal states and cantons according
structures may be expanded and other changes may be made
to their size, population and share of lake shore: Baden-
if they can be reconciled to the need to protect the shallows, or
Württemberg has the highest contribution with 57% of the
if public interest is greater than protective policy.
total costs. European Union-Interregional Financing is used for
special projects.
The Lake Constance shoreline planning process has also
designated areas for re-naturalization where the changes are
2.14 Nature
Protection
intended to lead to an improvement in the condition of the
current, the reintroduction of reed growth, the planting of trees
The legal framework for nature preserves is different in each
and bushes along the shore or the removal of impediments to
of the three states bordering Lake Constance. There are only
154 Lake
Constance

---

fi shing. Up to now, about 20 km of the shoreline have been
water sports and hunting, as well as other forms of interaction
re-naturalized.
with the natural landscape must be internationally/inter-
regionally coordinated for protected and unprotected areas
Today, only 28% of the shoreline is ringed by reed growth. With
in the shore zones and shallows. In nature reserves adjacent
very few exceptions, the reeds are found within nature and
to densely populated areas, suffi cient buffer zones must be
landscape conservation areas. Not only do fi sh, amphibians,
established. It is of special importance for the quality of the
and water birds depend on intact reed growth, but so do natural habitats to connect biotopes by green corridors--a
innumerable insects, spiders and snails. Exceptional events
main focus of ecological land use planning.
such as the "fl ood of the century" in 1999 demonstrate that
the protected areas are much too small and do not create
The European Union Water Framework Directive is a new
adequate space in which fl ora and fauna can fi nd refuge. innovative approach to protect all waters--rivers, lakes, coastal
Injunctions concerning protected areas have created too many
waters and ground waters. It sets up ambitious objectives
opportunities for additional construction.
to ensure that all waters meet "good status" by 2015. The
directive sets up a system of management within river basins
3.
Lessons Learned: Actions to be Taken on
without stopping at the borders. It requires a cross-border co-
Lake Constance and Key Lessons Relevant
operation between countries and all involved parties. Further
to Other Lake Regions
information is given on the website, www.europa.eu.int/
comm/environment/water/water-framework/overview.html
3.1 Nature
Conservation
3.2 Agriculture
For the protection of endangered natural habitats and species,
international agreements must be followed, in particular on
A clear public statement is needed from the states along Lake
the basis of the EU guidelines for the protection of birds, the
Constance that organic farming represents the method which
EU FFH guidelines and the creation of norms for Important
most adequately preserves natural resources and therefore
Bird Areas. Of particular urgency is the recognition of Lake
receives particular state support, through state-funded
Constance as the most important migration rest and winter
advertising and the use of regional organically-grown foods
quarters for water birds in the Central European interior.
in the canteens of public institutions such as offi ces and
universities.
Due to the international situation, a concept for protected
areas along the entire shore and lake area spanning all When compensation payments are made to farmers, ecological
involved nations is necessary. The states bordering Lake minimal standards must be maintained such as a maximum
Constance are urged to designate shared protected areas occupation level of 1.5 large cattle unit per ha and a 10 percent
and to agree among themselves on the existing protected level of compensatory organically maintained land from the
areas which span national borders, particularly in the Alter
total surface area in the form of hedges and natural borders.
Rhein (Old Rhine), the Konstanzer Bucht (Constance Bay), the
The introduction of internationally valid high ecological and
Ermatingen basin and at the Untersee-Ende (Lower Lake end)
social standards for the production and sale of agricultural
and the Hochrhein (Upper Rhine).
products is necessary.
Regulations for water sport and hunting, as well as for The marketing of regional organic food should be improved
other forms of interaction with the natural landscape must
by the development of regional business structures and
be internationally coordinated along a uniform basis for all
the creation of new outlets. For this purpose, new alliances
comparable protected areas in the shore zones and shallows.
and co-operations between agriculture, trade, distribution
and commerce as well as tourism are necessary. Consumers
The key lesson for transboundary lake regions is that a legally
(including holiday-makers) should be informed by information
binding concept including management plans and monitoring
facilities and offers about the connection between
systems for all protected areas along the entire shore and lake
environmentally sound agriculture, healthy food, and the
area spanning all involved nations is necessary. This nature
preservation of cultural landscape and nature protection.
concept should follow international criteria (we recommend
the criteria for EU Natura 2000 regions) and provide the 3.3
Honor Ecological Efforts in Agriculture
necessary staff and fi nancial resources. Perspectives for the
development, extension and connection of protected areas At Lake Constance, as in other areas, agricultural subsidies are
must be pointed out and put into practice according to a socially accepted only when performance-related. A possibility
binding time table.
to justify subsidies is to reward ecological achievements in
agriculture. MEA, a Baden-Württemberg agro-environment
For the implementation of the management plans and bio-
program, is a good political example based on voluntary
monitoring in the most important protected areas there is a
participation and providing economic incentives for good
need for professional research and support stations which also
ecological achievements. In order to motivate as many farmers
deal with public relations and visitors interests. Regulations for

Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
155

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as possible to participate in this program, it is important to
3.6 Tourism
honor simple measures which are easy to realize.
In order to support ecologically sound mobility in tourism,
Pilot schemes are good, but broad effects are better. The attractive fees are necessary. A fi rst required step is the
realization of innovative pilot schemes is important to test introduction of an international "Lake Constance Day Ticket"
new approaches and ideas and to further develop them. It is
which would be valid within all public transportation systems
also important to draw attention to such projects during their
in the Lake Constance area. In order to reduce the burden
implementation period since it is diffi cult to undertake effective
of mobile recreational traffi c, the public routes leading
public relations work and outreach to farmers if people cannot
from the area around the lake to the lakeside communities
see the pilot activities when they are ongoing.
must be greatly improved. _It is recommended that no new
tourism infrastructure be developed on the shore of Lake
The European Union Agricultural Policy is in reformation. Constance. The environmental quality of accommodation and
Healthy food supplies, quality, environmental conservation recreational facilities should be improved by the introduction
and regional development are fi nally included as objectives,
of environmental management systems and incentives._ In
but there is still no concrete process to guarantee that these
addition, linking and the exchange of experiences among
objectives will be fulfi lled. The use of the "Polluters Pays sustainably working tourism businesses should be promoted
Principle" is not included. Farmers get subsidies, if they accept
cross-border.
good agricultural practices, but no farmer needs to pay if he
does not accept environmental friendly practices.
There are several key lessons about tourism that are
relevant for other lake regions. Recently, tourism has been
3.4
Women Create Acceptance
considered to be the best answer to all problems. It is,
however, recommended not to overestimate the positive
The integration of women into the development and decision-
effects of tourism but to be aware of possible negative effects.
making process is of great importance. Particularly in rural
International tourism is a short-lived, sensitive, and extremely
areas, women's energy and competence are extremely well competitive economic sector, susceptible to trends and all
developed.
kinds of crises.
3.5 Fisheries
Currently environmentally sound tourism offers exceed the
demand. A long-term tourism development planning with
The loss of natural and nearly natural lakeshore areas needs
regular monitoring of the effi ciency is necessary. This would
to be stopped. Restoration measures must be planned and
include:
carried out taking into account the fi sh ecology as well.
Although the lakeshore is under special legal protection in
·
Promotion of environmentally sound and socially
all three countries neighboring Lake Constance, the rate of
acceptable tourism: recognized Ecolabel, i.e. European
embankment fortifi cation is high and the settlement pressure
VISIT-Standard (www.yourvistit.info), environmental
is still increasing. Fish fauna benefi t most from shallow waters
management systems (EMAS, ISO 14001), and Soft-
and quiet shorelines. Restoration measures should not always
Mobility-Concept (www.soft-mobility.com).
take place lakeside but also should occur further inland in
order not to fi ll up existing shallow zones.
· Destination Monitoring: Within the LIFE-VISIT
Project, ECOTRANS developed a set of indicators for
At Lake Constance there are only fi sh sanctuaries where
tourism destinations including process indicators
fi shing is not completely forbidden. To promote certain fi sh
for sustainability policy, environmental performance
species, appropriate protection zones should also be created.
indicators (transport, land use and biodiversity,
The already existing nature reserves should be integrated into
energy, water, waste), social and cultural performance
this approach. Fishing in nature reserves should be reduced
indicators and economic performance indicators. Further
and, in the medium-term, be forbidden.
information is given at www.yourvisit.info.
Fish stocking interferes with the complex interactions between
·
Information and sensitization of locals and guests by
the naturally occurring fi sh species and the rest of the fauna.
pointing out interactions (e.g. regional agricultural
Not only fi sh live in a lake, but there are also complex aquatic
products and the preservation of the landscape),
fl ora and fauna that have complex relations. It is useful
environmentally sound offers (your choice makes the
for anglers and conservation organizations together to
difference), providing tips for environmentally friendly
concentrate on the improvement of habitat and better water
and socially acceptable behavior, etc.
quality. Cormorant and goosander are protected species in the
Lake Constance region and to frighten them away or to shoot
·
Entrepreneurs should get interested in sustainable
them are not reasonable management measures.
tourism activities. A good example is ECOCAMPING, an
environmental project for camping grounds. This project
156 Lake
Constance

---

has been running since four years very successfully and
service including trans-border information such as the
will be extended within the next years.
one www.bodenseeclick.com has tried to establish.
·
Promotion of cycling by improving the network of cycle
3.7
Boating and Water Sports
tracks, clear signs, safe parking lots as well as support
services (repair service, air supply, etc.).
Recreational and professional boating must employ the ·
Use of car sharing instead of using privately owned cars.
highest standards of current environmental technology
including biocide-free underwater coatings and emission-
3.9 Land
Use
Planning
free or low-emission motors. Navigational infrastructure
must be established in accordance with the needs of nature
Municipalities have a key role in spatial politics. Environmental
and the landscape, this should include no extension of the
management for Land Use Planning (ECOLUP) is a valid
harbors along Lake Constance and the realization of the Lake
instrument to support sustainable land use planning, and
Constance Guidelines (Bodensee-Leitbild). All these aspects of
especially to reduce land consumption. Within the
actions for Lake Constance are also relevant for other lakes.
implementation of the environmental management system
(EMAS), the municipality together with relevant stakeholders,
3.8 Transportation
sets up environmental goals and concrete measures to reach
these goals. The municipality uses few but relevant indicators
In the case of goods transport, the ecologically and socially
to determine the status quo for each environmental aspect and
responsible means of transportation has to be chosen. In to measure the results of the activities. This "environmental
general, the contribution of rail transport should be increased.
program" includes goals for land use planning, sealing/green
belts, traffi c/mobility, energy/climate, landscape, water and
Pollution caused by private use of automobiles, travel by train,
participation of citizens and is adopted by the municipal
bus, ship should be recognized and use of bicycles and travel
council. An environmental health manager is responsible for
by foot must be given stronger support. In landscapes that are
the well functioning of the system and for monitoring of the
ecologically sensitive and in important recreational areas as
measures. More information is available at www.ecolup.info.
well as within settled communities, limitations on motorized
means of transport are necessary.
3.10 Financing and Networking
The saturation level and condition of the roadway network in
Networking, campaigning and public relations are very often
the Lake Constance area are adequate, in some cases over-
independent of concrete projects and require additional
proportional. Lake Constance should not become a transit personnel and fi nancial resources. Programs to co-fi nance
crossing-point for interregional highways. The further extension of
these important activities are necessary.
interregional, regional and communal roadways is not necessary.
In particular, the construction of S 18 through the valuable reed
4. References
meadows of the Alpine Rhine valley has to be abandoned.
Rossknecht, Henno. 1996. Zur stoffl ichen Belastung
The railroad system is inadequate, especially on the German
des Bodensees. Institut für Seenforschung 1920-1995.
side of the lake. The improvements undertaken at some sites
Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz Baden-Württemberg (Hrsg.),
should be extended to the entire region. Concerning long-
Karlsruhe/Langenargen.
distance and regional transport, the Lake Constance region's
connections to the major cities of Zurich, Munich and Stuttgart
Disclaimer
should be improved.
The fi ndings, interpretations and conclusions expressed
Key transportation lessons of relevance for other lake regions are:
in this report are the views of the authors and do not
necessarily represent the views of The World Bank and its
·
The importance of securing reliable, suffi cient and high-
Board of Directors, or the countries they represent, nor do
quality public transport by extension of railway lines,
they necessarily represent the view of the organizations,
bus connections and ship connections. Solar powered
agencies or governments to which any of the authors are
boats provide the optimum combination of public associated. Also, the colors, boundaries, denominations, and
transport, use of renewable energies and sensitization
classifi cations in this report do not imply, on the part of The
of passengers for new environmental technologies.
World Bank and its Board of Directors, or the countries they
·
Attractive fares and comprehensible regional fare represent, and the organizations, agencies or governments to
structure are the key to success. In the international Lake
which any of the authors are associated, any judgment on the
Constance area a Euregion day ticket valid for all means
legal or other status of any territory, or any endorsement or
of transportation was introduced very successfully.
acceptance of any boundary.
·
Creation of information for locals and visitors on
transportation facilities. In Constance, a mobility center
was created. A good idea is also a ticket information

Experience and Lessons Learned Brief
157

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