Welser Kieswerke Treul & CO GmbH
The sand pit area of Prambachkirchen with an extent of about 6 hectares is situated in the midst of a low structured, agricultural intensive used area with low species population. The original project envisages a dry and wet extraction with subsequent total fill. After termination of the extraction of sand the areas should be used by agriculture.
Original efforts of the Welser Kieswerke to achieve a modification of the permit in favor of a new recultiviation plan – with the creation of a landscape pond – failed because of the non approval by the authority. In course of the creation of a local development plan the municipality Prambachkirchen accosts the Welser Kieswerke with the request to maintain the quarry pond as a future landscape pond with ecological function. Only by the collaboration of Welser Kieswerke with the municipality, the federation of nature protection Upper Austria und the Environmental Advocacy Office of Upper Austria such a modification of the permit could have been achieved.
To create the sand pit in a nature protection sound way a cooperation was built up with the federation of nature protection Upper Austria. In close coordination with this NGO the following measures were set up: design of shallow water zones, creation of steep faces for breeding areas, establishment of fallow lands, setting of wet land areas, fishing out, displacement of neophyte, excursions and teaching projects for schools; Up to now a lot of different species could have been proved in the Prambachkirchen sand pit: sand martin, wild bees, little ringed plover, peewit, kingfisher, gray partridge, whirligig beetles, pitch dragonfly.
This area should be used for educational projects and trainings and represent a nature experience for people. In October 2005 an excursion with the local school was organized by the mentioned NGO to plant hedgerows. In spring next year a built up display board will inform about the life and species in a sand pit.
After closing of all extraction and recultivation works and against the previous planning of an agricultural area a high quality nature hideaway will be established containing a landscape pond and area for endangered species.
Keeping this special area in an optimal condition the former sand pit will be handed over to the NGO for perfect maintenance in a naturally sound way. With the project Prambachkirchen – from cornfield via the extraction of sand to a multifarious habitat – we apply for the sustainability award of UEPG in the biodiversity pillar.
