| End of 19th century: |
|
Foundation of the Steiermärkischen Landesforste (Styrian Provincial Forestry Commission) as a protection against land speculation |
| 1908-1912: |
|
First plans for use of water power in the Gesaeuse |
| 1913: |
|
Suggestions about the creation of a Styrian conservation park in the Niederen Tauern |
| 1919: |
|
The "Landesarbeitsstelle (Regional Department of Works) for Common Electric Supply in Styria" draws up a detailed proposal for 8 dams between Admont and Altenmarkt; from the Gesaeuse, the Enns was to be diverted through a tunnel under the Buchstein and into a reservoir near St. Gallen |
| 1954-1956: |
|
Construction of the "Kummerbrücke" reservoir at Gstatterboden by Steweag |
| 8th July 1958: |
|
Decree by the Provincial Government of Styria, declaring the Gesaeuse a conservation area, along with the linked Enns valley up to the provincial boundaries, and the Wildalpener Salza valley (first Styrian conservation area) |
| 7th December 1977: |
|
Resolution by the Landtag (Provincial Assembly) concerning the creation of the Niedere Tauern National Park. |
| 1985: |
|
The Alpenvereinsjugend (Junior Alpine Association) of Styria proposes the creation of the 'Totes Gebirge' National Park on land belonging to the Federal Forestry Commission |
|
|
| The Alpine Association, from the outset one of the essential moving forces behind the Gesaeuse National Park. | | |
| 1986: |
|
Discussion of a hydroelectric power station at the entrance to the Gesaeuse valley, planned since the late-1970s, leads to the public campaign "Plattform Gesaeuse". |
| February 1988: |
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The "Gesaeuse-Eingang" (Gesaeuse Entrance) cataract is declared a natural monument. |
| 1991: |
|
Resolution by the Landtag (Provincial Assembly) to establish the Kalkalpen National Park. It fails because of grass-roots opposition. The popular demand is for a National Park on land belonging to the Styrian Provincial Forestry Commission, not on private property. |
| 1991: |
|
Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Steinbach, the regional executive in charge of conservation, ascertains the Gesaeuse as being suitable to be developed to a National Park. |
| 1996: |
|
Year of the National Park. |
| Autumn 1996: |
|
The mayors of eight towns in the region present a letter of support, backing the Gesaeuse National Park proposals. |
| 12th Dec. 1996: |
|
Representatives Posch, Flecker, Tasch, Getzinger and Karisch petition the Styrian Provincial Assembly for the establishment of the Gesaeuse National Park. |
| 23rd June 1997: |
|
The petition comes before a session of the Provincial Government of Styria. A decision in principle to establish the Gesaeuse National Park is unanimously agreed. (A decision in favour of making a feasibility study follows in July). |
| Autumn 1997: |
|
Foundation of a steering committee for the establishment of a National Park Association (from which the 'Gesaeuse National Park Association' arises). |
| February 1998: |
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By order of the Federal Ministry for Environment, Youth and Family and of the Province of Styria, a feasibility study is launched. |
| June 1998: |
|
The 'Gesaeuse National Park Protection Group ' is founded and speaks out against the setting up of a National Park. |
|
|
| A "protection group" attempted to prevent the Gesaeuse National Park going ahead and even published their own journal. | | |
| 17th August 1998: |
|
The leadership of the Styrian Conservation Association appeals to the representatives of the Provincial Assembly in favour of a Styrian National Park at the Gesaeuse |
| November 1998: |
|
Hans-Peter Scheb is appointed Provincial Co-ordinator for the Gesaeuse National Park project. |
| December 1998: |
|
The first edition of the National Park's journal 'Xeis' is published. |
| 26th June 1999: |
|
Presentation of the feasibility study for the Gesaeuse National Park. |
| February 2000: |
|
The 'Socialist Youth of Styria' publishes an opinion poll, showing that 71 percent of the young people of Admont are in favour of setting up the National Park. |
| 3rd July 2001: |
|
Petition of the Green Party's 'Landtag Club' requesting permission to submit a proposal for a National Park Law to the Provincial Assembly. |
| 10th July 2001: |
|
Unanimous decision of the Provincial Government to establish a Gesaeuse National Park by October 2002, and to work intensively on the draft of a National Park Law, to be produced by the National Park Planning Committee, in consultation with RA 6, the Constitution Service, the Ministry of the Environment, the Provincial Forestry Commission, and regional interest groups, both for and against the Park. |
| 9th October 2001: |
|
Presentation / publication (through newspapers, internet, mail shots), of a universally accessible draft of the expert assessment of the project. Public discussions held throughout the region, increasing support for the National Park (e.g. forestry workers of the Provincial Forestry Commission declare themselves in favour of the National Park, the hunting groups and agriculturalists are for the National Park, the Seminary at Admont promises to take part in the project, alpine associations and alpine hut landlords back the National Park, &c.) |
|
|
| There are many arguments in favour of the Gesaeuse National Park and - after intensive discussions - these secure its establishment. (flyer, Admont, Oct.2002) | | |
| 26th October 2001: |
|
Referendum on the municipality of Admont's contribution to preparations for the National Park and its application to host the National Park Centre (amongst other things) results in the rejection of the official mayoral policy. |
| 29th October 2001: |
|
Decision by Head of Provincial Government Klasnic and Provincial Assembly Leader Pöltl to establish a planning group. |
| 12th Nov. 2001: |
|
Decision of the municipality of Weng in favour of the National Park. |
| 10th Dec. 2001: |
|
A poll conducted under § 116 of the Styrian People's Rights Law shows that 66,67% of all registered voters in the municipality Weng approve of the National Park. |
| 16th January 2002: |
|
Formal resolution of the Provincial Government for the establishment of the Gesaeuse National Park Ltd. |
| 21st January 2002: |
|
The Provincial Government decides in favour of founding the Gesaeuse National Park Planning Ltd. |
| 24th January 2002: |
|
The Conservation Advisory Board considers the National Park Law |
| 12th March 2002: |
|
Approval of the National Park Law at the Provincial Assembly |
| 6th April 2002: |
|
Constituent General Assembly of the Gesaeuse National Park Planning Ltd. |
| 18th April 2002: |
|
Definitive nomination of managing directors Hans-Peter Scheb and Robert Riemelmoser |
| 4th to 6th May 2002: |
|
Visit of a IUCN delegation which reports (2nd July 2002) that the Gesaeuse is worthy of being recognised as a IUCN Category II site. |
|
|
The IUCN delegation, Dr. Knapp and Fr. Zupancic, discussing the international recognition of the Gesaeuse National Park with DI Liebel, FD Thurn and Man.Dir.Scheb
(Johnsbach, 4th May 2002). | | |
| 24th May 2002: |
|
Reference to the Gesaeuse National Park as "soon to become the
youngest member of the National Park family" at the 'parks day' in the Federal Parliament. |
| 1st August 2002: |
|
The National Park Law comes into force under the Provincial Law Gazette number. 61/2002. |
| 7th October 2002 |
|
Decision of the Provincial Government: that Head of the Styrian Government Klasnic is authorised to sign the 15a Contract. |
| 15th October 2002: |
|
Decision of the Federal Council of Ministers: Federal Minister Molterer is authorised to sign the 15a Contract. |
| 26th October 2002: |
|
The signing in Admont of the Art. 15a Federal Constitutional Law Agreement between the Federal Government and the Province of Styria for the establishment of the Gesaeuse National Park and for its commencement of business. The signatories are Mag. Wilhelm Molterer, the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Supply, and Frau Waltraud Klasnic, Head of the Styrian Government. |
| 30th October 2002: |
|
FA 13C despatches drafts of the two decrees, the National Park Declaration and the National Park Plan, for their hearing. |
| 2nd Dec. 2002: |
|
Foundation of the Gesaeuse National Park Ltd. |
| 23rd January 2003: |
|
The Gesaeuse National Park Association unanimously resolves to dissolve itself as of 28th February 2003. At the second General Assembly of the Gesaeuse National Park Ltd. the annual accounts are approved; Dipl.Ing. Werner Franek is appointed Managing Director. |
| 24th February 2003: |
|
The Provincial Government of Styria unanimously approves the two decrees, the National Park Declaration and the National Park Plan. |
| 26th February 2003: |
|
The National Park Subcommittee of the Styrian Provincial Assembly's Conservation Committee holds a meeting in Johnsbach. The Nature Conservation Advisory Body also meets in Johnbach. |
| 28th February 2003: |
|
The National Park Association is wound up. |
| 1st March 2003: |
|
The two decrees, the National Park Declaration and the National Park Plan come into force - the Gesaeuse National Park comes into existence legally. Dipl.Ing. Werner Franek takes over from Ing. Mag. Robert Riemelmoser as Managing Director of the Gesaeuse National Park Ltd. and as National Park Director. |
| 23rd April 2003: |
|
The General Assembly of the Gesaeuse National Park Ltd. authorises the first annual work programme. |
| 25th April 2003: |
|
On the occasion of the leasing of pastures for 2003, there is a ceremony to mark the signing of contracts between the farmers of the National Park pastures, the Styrian Provincial Forestry Commission and the National Park Ltd.. |
| 17th May 2003: |
|
The 'Alpine Forum', consisting of the National Park Administration and the alpine organisations, takes place at the Haindlkar mountain hut. |
| 12th June 2003: |
|
The first National Park Forum takes place in the municipality Weng.
|
| 17th June 2003: |
|
The National Park Agents Law is approved unanimously by the Styrian Provincial Assembly. |
| 1st October 2003: |
|
With the National Park Agents Law the last of the special legal provisions comes into force. |
| 5th December 2003: |
|
International recognition of the Gesaeuse National Park as a Category II site by the IUCN. |
