Old Ammo Depot: Mitholz Clearance takes the next hurdle

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The evacuation of the ammunition depot in Mitholz in the Bernese Oberland is one step closer. As the National Council would like, the responsible committee of the Council of States has now voted in favor of releasing the CHF 2.59 billion loan. The decision to do this was clear.

With 11 votes in favour, 0 against and 2 abstentions, the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States (SIK-S) asks its council to give the green light for the renovation of the ammunition depot.

The Commission had already acted on the proposal in May, but subsequently postponed its substantive decision because it had not yet completed preliminary consultations on the transaction. After hearing several experts and representatives of the municipality of Kandergrund and IG Mitholz, the commission came to the conclusion that “the current situation in the factory and in the rubble cone poses an unacceptable risk”.

Complete evacuation is the safest solution

The Commission welcomes the fact that after the new 2018 and 2020 risk assessments were available, different options for eliminating the risks have been explored. They note that a complete evacuation is the safest and most sustainable solution compared to other variants. If approval is not complete, questions about long-term safety and exposure to pollutants will remain.

The proposal will be discussed by the Council of States in the autumn session. The National Council approved the EUR 1 billion loan in early May by 180 votes in favour, 5 against and 8 abstentions. Part of the SVP wanted to return the company to the Bundesrat.

A few hundred tons of explosives

In December 1947 there were major explosions in the former army ammunition depot at Mitholz in the municipality of Kandergrund BE. The depot partially collapsed, several people died from boulders thrown through the air. Dozens of houses were destroyed and several hundred tons of explosives were left in the rubble.

In 2018, a new Ministry of Defense report concluded that the munitions dump needed to be cleared due to continued high risks. The Federal Council has requested a commitment credit of CHF 2.59 billion for the work, including a safety margin due to uncertainties.

The first residents will have to move in 2025

The project, which has been running for more than 25 years, should eliminate the risk of further explosions in the former railway tunnel and in the rubble cone in front of the factory. It also provides for a comprehensive cleanup of explosive residues, heavy metals and fire debris throughout the area affected by the 1947 explosion.

The first residents of Mitholz should leave as early as 2025 because of the work, and it will be time for the rest in 2030 at the latest. About fifty people in the security perimeter would be affected by the move. (SDA)

Source:Blick