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Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt Agree on Joint Helme Flood-Protection Concept

It elevates flood risk management over habitat considerations at the Kelbra reservoir.

Overview

  • The states will spend about €200,000 over the next four years to develop the cross-border concept.
  • The plan will assess measures along the Helme from the Kelbra reservoir to its confluence with the Unstrut.
  • Saxony-Anhalt’s Reiner Haseloff said reservoir operations should prioritize keeping capacity free for floods over nature conservation, including largely emptying the basin in summer.
  • The commitments were announced after a joint cabinet meeting in Stolberg and set out in a Stolberger Erklärung.
  • Beyond water management, both governments pledged closer coordination on economic policy, cultural funding, wine regulation and procurement modernization, and they plan joint advocacy on energy costs.