Rodung von Waldflächen Genehmigung

If you want to use forest areas temporarily or permanently for other purposes, you need a permit from the responsible forest authority.

Before submitting an application, we recommend that you discuss the intended forest conversion with the responsible forest authority. The forest authority can then often provide information on the eligibility for approval and the scope of compensation in the form of a rough forecast.

In the application, you must describe the planned project in detail and justify why it can only be implemented at the planned location. The characteristics of the forest (size, age, tree species, habitat for animals) must generally be presented in an ecological report. In the approval process, your interests are weighed up against and against the interests of the general public.

The forest area may only be cleared or otherwise removed immediately before the other use is realized.

Preliminary species protection assessment

When submitting your application, you must declare whether and, if so, which species protection conflicts are to be expected. The forestry authority also assesses whether conflicts under species protection law may arise. If this is the case, you must also submit an in-depth species protection assessment.

Compensatory measures

With the approval for forest conversion, the forest authority determines measures to compensate for the adverse effects. The applicant is responsible for the compensation. The compensatory measures are agreed in advance. When applying for a permanent forest conversion, you should have an area of land in the state of Bremen that is suitable for afforestation of at least the same size and be able to prove this.

Further conditions and requirements may also be imposed.

Reforestation

If a temporary forest conversion is approved, the forest authority will set a reasonable deadline for reforestation of the area after the forest conversion has been completed.

• Proof of ownership for the conversion area:
  • current extract from the land register
  • Cadastral extract or
  • Purchase contract with priority notice of conveyance
• Further documents:
  • Site plan with conversion area marked
  • Indication of the district and parcel number of the conversion area
  • Ecological inventory of the conversion area (tree species, age and height of the forest, vitality, damage, species protection issues) with proposals for compensatory measures
  • In the case of permanent conversion, details of replacement measures with district, parcel and area size. Please note: The planting material to be used must be tree and shrub species appropriate to the location.
  • Proof of ownership of the replacement area
  • Declaration of consent (power of attorney) from the owner if the applicant is not the owner of the conversion or replacement area
    • If applicable, documents for an environmental impact assessment (EIA)
    • If applicable, notification of the status of other approval procedures (e.g. under building law)

Eligible applicants are

Natural persons or legal entities (companies) as

• sole owner of the woodland or
• persons authorized by owners or communities of owners.

You can apply for a forest conversion permit via the online service or in paper form.

Online service

• You will find the link to the online service under "Forms".
• The online service guides you step by step through the application process.
• You can submit the required documents digitally.

Paper form

• You can find the application form to print out under "Forms".
• Complete the application.
• Attach a copy of the required documents to the application.
• Send everything by post.

You will receive the permit by post.