Bordesholm in turmoil: dispute over sea rescue sparks political scandal!

Bordesholm in turmoil: dispute over sea rescue sparks political scandal!

Bordesholm is bustling, and not because of the weather. Beautifully situated in the countryside, the community has been fighting for years against the deteriorating water quality of its lake, which is heavily polluted with nutrients. Discussions about a possible restructuring are now really heating up after a recent political earthquake. [kn-online] reports that the local council unanimously decided in September 2023 to create two integrated buffer zones along the Kalbach in Schmalstede and Hoffeld in order to reduce phosphate pollution in the water. With a budget of 64,000 euros, 90 percent of which will be covered by the state, this project is to be carried out in cooperation with Dr. Kirsten Rücker from the Christian Albrechts University.

But not everyone is happy with these plans. The volunteer association “Our Bordesholm See” is critical of the decision. Günter Stühmer, the association's chairman, accuses the community of working with false information. There was also a mishap: an email sent by mistake from Carola Ketelhodt, the second deputy mayor, caused outrage because it portrayed the association's proposals in a negative light. Ketelhodt apologized, but emphasized that the concerns should be taken seriously. Mayor Ronald Büssow defended the statement and rejected the allegations.

Criticism of information policy

The members of the association are anything but enthusiastic and have even passed the accusation of false information on to the municipal supervisory authority of the Rendsburg-Eckernförde district for review. “We must finally be told the truth and we must insist on transparent information,” demands Stühmer. Another point of criticism concerns the project costs: According to the lake association, expenses for a water engineer are not included in the 64,000 euros. This could further increase the financial burden on the community.

The dispute is even more colored by the local election campaigns, which have already begun in 2023. The SPD flyer takes a critical look at the controversial “know-it-alls with quick fixes,” which raised eyebrows among the citizens’ initiative. The association members emphasize that they have drawn attention to environmentally harmful solutions and are calling for more commitment from the community to save the lake for future generations.

The challenges of water quality

But what exactly is behind the problem? Over-fertilization with phosphorus is a serious problem for many bodies of water in Germany. [Federal Environment Agency] points out that many bodies of water are still not in good condition, as excessive algae growth and a lack of oxygen endanger aquatic life forms. Almost 60 percent of the measuring sites show excessive phosphorus levels and it is pointed out that the level of phosphorus must be reduced to avoid further damage.

These warnings may not come in time because experts fear that without urgent action, Lake Bordesholm could deteriorate within the next eight to ten years. The community now faces the challenge of reconciling the various opinions and the reality of water quality in order to find long-term solutions. The lake association plans to bring in a water engineer and other experts to find the right path. As we all know, too many cooks spoil the broth.

In summary, Bordesholm is not just about a lake, but also about the responsibility that the municipality has towards its environment and its citizens. The community's next steps are crucial and everyone involved is required to do their part to ensure that the water quality improves and Lake Bordesholm remains a beautiful place.