Funding of measures for natural river engineering and waterbody development (FRL-Waterbody Development)

The funding of measures for natural river engineering and waterbody development (FRL-Waterbody Development) supports communal and private actors in Saarland in the ecological enhancement of flowing and artificial standing waters. Public task holders, non-profit associations, private operators of hydropower plants, as well as participant communities from land consolidation procedures can apply for grants to improve the local water balance and biological connectivity. The program aims to establish near-natural riparian zones, restore natural floodplain areas, and promote cross-segment connectivity. This also includes preliminary planning such as waterbody development and maintenance plans as well as studies to secure planned measures. Applications must be submitted electronically before projects commence and require legal approval at the time of submission.

Up to 95% of eligible expenses for infrastructural and nature conservation-related projects are funded, generally with grant rates between 50% and 90%, depending on the applicant group and joint projects of inter-municipal partners. For artificial standing waters, reapplication is only possible after five years, with each measure required to ensure the restoration of fish passage. Eligible expenses include maintenance, care, and near-natural design of flowing waters, protective plantings, land acquisition for hydraulic engineering measures, as well as preliminary investigations and surveys. Funding decisions are made by the Ministry for Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of Saarland, which coordinates the region’s environmental policy measures and promotes sustainable development of the waterbody landscapes.