Mitholzer will not let the DDPS force them out of their homes

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“Understood here!” This response is expected in the military – and apparently also from Viola Amherd’s (60) Department of Defense (VBS). Members of the National Council Security Commission (Sik-N) report this. It was about 2.6 billion Swiss francs in tax money that you should have channeled to clear the former ammunition depot of Mitholz BE.

However, at the request of SVP land council member Erich Hess (41), the committee ordered the march to be stopped. The federal government should investigate alternatives to the complete evacuation of the former army camp. And as thoroughly as he checked the eviction variant. Many residents, but also politicians, doubt that the DDPS, for example, also carefully examined a filling or encapsulation of the rubble. Well-known experts such as civil engineering specialist Heinz Hieke consider encapsulation to be more environmentally friendly and, at an estimated cost of CHF 200 million, much cheaper.

Kamir gets nowhere

Initially, the complete eviction would cost 900 million – and suddenly almost three times as much. The Ordnance Disposal and Mine Clearance Command (Kamir) had expressed safety reservations in the DDPS. It is unclear to the Kamir experts what condition the spilled ammunition was in, what the layers of the earth would look like and how much ammunition is still buried, the “mist splitter” reported.

According to information from Blick, the Kamir has barely moved from the spot so far. It is still the first of more than a dozen planned exploratory wells.

Mitholzer fights back

After the suspension by the committee, the DDPS announced that Mitholzer’s houses could no longer be purchased. There were complaints from local residents and also from the Swiss Association of Mountain Regions (SAB), which fears a delay of years. Hess has now applied for an additional loan of CHF 50 million so that the DDPS can continue to buy the houses of those who want to move.

But they are not all. Many oppose the DDPS forcing them from their homes. For example Monika Küenzi (56). She lives with her parents in a two-family house. “We are lucky that we can stay now. The border is in front of our house. But they are trying to scare us.” It is then no longer worth living in Mitholz, she is told. It will be loud and dusty. ‘We have to go. But my parents and I want to stay”, Küenzi makes clear.

Wrong order

Mitholzer Peter Zumkehr Junior (55), who has to give way, makes it clear: “I am not against an eviction.” However, the order does not work for him: “First, the situation that the experts find in the rubble must be analyzed and then it will be decided how best to proceed. Here, however, the working method was determined first.”

According to Zumkehr, a way must be found to protect the ammunition depot and to dispose of the ammunition without the need for disproportionate rail and road protection constructions and without the population moving away. After all, he also wants to stay.

Reservations about IG Mitholz

When the media reports about the local residents, they are often equated with the interest group Mitholz. However, the local residents now see their role differently: after all, the goal of the IG is complete evacuation. Anyone who violates this can be banned by the IG board, as stated in the bylaws.

So some Mitholzer don’t want to be mentioned by name. Because if you want to stay informed, you have to be a member of the IG, otherwise you won’t find out. Monika Küenzi emphasizes that the board of IG has done a lot of good. “But now he seems to me to be really obedient to the VBS.” It is good that there is a thorough investigation into what would happen with a supplement. “If the DDPS has already done that, it can put the reports on the table. And if not, it needs to get started now,” she says.

“You have to look there!”

Zumkehr Junior says that if the IG board stubbornly insists on clearing the ammunition and the village, he will leave the association.

On Tuesday, the safety committee will consider the Mitholz file again. Erich Hess only says: “You have to keep this in mind: the taxpayer would have to put 2.6 billion on the table without any new infrastructure being created for it – you have to look closely!”

Source:Blick