Integrated Rhine Programme
To implement the Integrated Rhine Programme (IRP), over 55 Mio tons of gravel will be dug out, to create large volumes of retention capacity in the area of the Upper Rhine, near Cologne for example. The existing vegetation will be destroyed. Nature protection organisations, fishermen’s associations and fishery organisations have been involved in the project from an early stage. Because of the very constricted framework, there is not much they can achieve against imminent destruction and a potential levelling of biodiversity.
From a conversation with Michael Wilke, Trinational Centre for the Environment Weil am Rhein