Should the mountain village of Brienz/Brinzauls (GR) have to be partially or completely abandoned, land will soon be available for new buildings. In addition to specific relocation locations, the municipality of Albula/Alvra and the canton of Grisons were also able to present key financing points.
On December 12, representatives of the municipality of Albula/Alvra, the Graubünden cantonal government and experts met with more than 40 evacuated residents of Brienz/Brinzauls. The question of whether the village can be inhabited in the medium and long term has become more important as a result of the second evacuation. With the help of the canton and the federal government, the municipality is working on various variants. They should make relocations possible while keeping financial losses for those affected within tight limits.
Based on the positive feedback from the Federal Office for the Environment, Councillor Carmelia Maissen was able to promise that the federal and cantonal authorities would assume 90 percent of the eligible costs for preventive relocation. Maissen and her government colleague Marcus Caduff showed understanding for the concerns and fears of the Brienz people. The situation was not only emotionally stressful for them, but also financially. The Graubünden government stands by the village of Brienz/Brinzauls and supports the population, regardless of how the situation develops, the two government councils emphasized to the evacuated residents.
They thanked all experts involved and the community leadership staff for their tireless efforts.
The future of the two Brienz farms was also a topic of the evening. Councillor Marcus Caduff explained that securing livelihoods in agriculture is supported and given priority by the cantonal authorities and the Federal Office of Agriculture. The location evaluation for farms had already been carried out in summer 2023. If everything goes according to plan, resettlement would be possible as early as winter 2025/26.
Location and financing issues
Investigations into possible relocations from Brienz/Brinzauls have progressed very well in recent months. The Municipality Settlement Commission has named three sites for major resettlements. Commission President Benno Burtscher explained that the rezoning and zoning in Tiefencastel and Alvaneu Dorf as well as the locations in Vazerol West are to be voted on next May.
As before, the destruction of a building or the imposition of a permanent ban on use can be considered as reasons for relocation. Preventive relocation is now also possible due to the burden of the risk situation.
“In intensive discussions between the Commission, Building Insurance GVG and those responsible from the canton and federal government, a solution was also found for financial compensation,” said Urban Maissen, Head of the Office for Forests and Natural Hazards. As soon as the new population survey has been evaluated, a corresponding resettlement project can be developed based on it in accordance with the Forest Act.
However, the presumed main reason for possible relocations is the further damage to buildings due to landslides.
“Brienzers are wondering whether the drainage tunnel will have an effect soon enough,” said Mayor Daniel Albertin. “They fear that more houses will become uninhabitable before the tunnel has a calming effect on the landslide.”
Don't give up the village
Geologists and natural hazard experts are convinced of the effectiveness of the drainage tunnel. Around 80% of the northern arm has been completed and the drilling carried out so far in the slippery mass and under the village has been successful. The water pressure in the slippery mass above the northern arm could be reduced locally by over 60 m.
“Such a large pressure relief could not be achieved in the exploratory tunnel even with three holes in the slip mass,” said geologist Reto Thöny. “We therefore expect that the northern arm with its drilling will have a calming effect on the landslide as early as the coming months.”
“We haven't given up on Brienz/Brinzauls. We want the village to be able to live on,” said Mayor Albertin. “Until recently, resettlement was just our “Plan B”. Now it has become an alternative, which we are clarifying for them as far as possible. We want to be able to offer them should they need them.”
The presentations of the mentioned event on December 10th are available for download on the municipality's website.
Source: Bulletin of the municipality of Albula/Alvra on Brienz Rutsch dated 13.12.2024.
Christian Gartmann has been Communications and Media Officer for Brienz Rutsch and a member of the Albula/Alvra community management staff since 2019.