The Federal Environment Ministry is launching a new €59 million program to restore the floodplains of smaller rivers. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that “river corridors are our lifeblood” and that the belief that humans must conquer and straighten streams is a mistake that needs correcting. He cited the present dry spell as the main reason for the push, noting that although some snow remains trapped by low temperatures, precipitation has been insufficient for months, creating a genuine winter drought in many areas.
The forthcoming program will fund the restoration of river habitats and the reversal or redesign of drainage systems associated with the renaturation work. Eligible applicants include municipalities, nature‑conservation associations, and state authorities; an application portal is currently being set up. The new initiative builds on an existing scheme that has already restored floodplains on eleven federal waterways from the Aller to the Werra since 2019. Over recent decades, many rivers were channelised to exercise control, which led to a loss of surrounding life. Relieving banks and reconnecting floodplains-as seen on the Werra-can bring back insects, salamanders, and small fish. Intact river floodplains are Europe’s most species‑rich ecosystems.
Beyond ecology, the measures also aim to benefit the economy. “We have always been a water‑rich country, but groundwater levels have fallen too low in many regions” said Schneider. Berlin’s outskirts, Saxony, Saxony‑Anhalt, and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania are especially affected. Continued declines would jeopardise water supply, threaten agriculture, and compromise water‑dependent industries such as chemicals and chip manufacturing. Restoring river floodplains and rewetting moors are essential actions for securing water resources.