Free and yet priceless

At the anniversary event, speakers discussed the past, present and future of the lake. Sandro Patierno, Deputy Governor of the Canton of Schwyz and President of the Supervisory Commission, opened the event: "Let us work together to ensure that Lake Lucerne and its catchment area remain a liveable recreational area for future generations," emphasised the President of the AKV. Eawag Director Martin Ackermann agreed: "Lake Lucerne is free, but it is priceless. Only through a vibrant partnership between research, administration and politics can we all contribute to its sustainable protection," he said. With regard to the current pressure to save money, he added: "Identifying problems at an early stage and taking the right measures based on this is certainly cheaper than repairing damage afterwards – if that is even possible." 

Bernard Wehrli, who worked at Eawag for over 30 years and is now professor emeritus at ETH Zurich, looked back on key scientific and social debates, such as phosphorus management, fish diversity, and the renaturation of shores and tributaries – "there is still work to be done here " – as well as dealing with "good and bad" animals and plants in Lake Lucerne. 

As the highlight of the event, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, Head of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), congratulated the commission and addressed the participants. He emphasised the importance of Lake Lucerne as an ecological and cultural asset of national significance, expressed his gratitude for the valuable cooperation between the cantons of Central Switzerland and the federal government, but also made no secret of the fact that balancing the demands of use and protection is sometimes no easy task.

Lake Lucerne Supervisory Commission website

Cover picture: FOEN Director Katrin Schneeberger and her boss, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, talking to Eawag Director Martin Ackermann at the AKV anniversary in Kastanienbau. (Photo: Christian Maugg, AKV)