Properly speaking, conservation is one of the responsibilities of the Federal Provinces; therefore national parks - like other conservation projects - have to be financed by the Provincial Government. Owing to the national parks' nationwide and international significance, however, the Federal Government also contributes to the costs of their establishment . Consequently an agreement was required between the Province of Styria and the Republic of Austria, under Article 15a of the Federal constitution: a so-called 'constituent state contract'.

On 26th October 2002 the National Park was launched with the ceremonial signing of the Article 15a-Contract by Federal Minister of the Environment Molterer, and Head of Styrian Provincial Government Klasnic. In the first place this contract recorded the goals and objectives that would be achieved by the setting-up of the National Park; it also laid down the size of the National Park Area - up to 12,500 hectares.

The 'National Park Law' is fundamental to the National Park's legal status. The Law was passed by the Styrian Landtag on the 12th March unanimously and came into force on the 1st of August 2002.

As a special enactment, the National Park Law supersedes the Conservation Law (with the exception of the regulations regarding natural monuments and European Protected Areas). It gives priority to the protection of outstanding and largely unspoilt virgin landscapes, as well as of the precious man-made landscape of the alpine pastures. This is a case where we invoke the premise that people and their areas of settlement also have to be protected. The IUCN criteria for Category II sites were set down as appendix to the National Park Law, and were thus raised to the level of legal enactments. As ever, this relates back to the aim of the Gesaeuse National Park to gain international recognition.

The terms of the Law establish the boundaries of the 'National Park Region', corresponding to the six municipalities of Weng, St. Gallen, Landl, Hieflau, Johnsbach and Admont. The internal subdivisions 'Natural Zone' and 'Protection Zone' are defined. The commercially valuable trademark 'Nationalpark Gesaeuse' ('Gesaeuse National Park') is also given legal protection.

There is a very large circle of legal stakeholders. All the alpine pasture farmers have the same entitlements, regardless of whether they use their pastures on the basis of 'Einforstungsrecht' (customary rights) or whether they have a formal lease. No-one should feel obliged to take part in the Gesaeuse National Park, if they are not already convinced of the merits of the project; there can be no attempts to force people to come on board. Only people who make an application for the inclusion of their estate in the National Park can become incorporated. Furthermore, by means of the National Park Law, the Provincial Government has laid down that the public authorities are obliged to take into account regulations regarding the protection of the environment, when they apply the Province's own regulations. Moreover, selling land within the National Park is strictly prohibited by the Provincial Government. The regulations concerning the protection of the animal and plant world are straightforward: all that is not expressly allowed, is prohibited. Exceptional cases are covered in § 8 of the National Park Law and in the National Park Plan; otherwise, special approval can be obtained from the Provincial authorities.

The National Park Law has been put into more concrete terms by means of two decrees: the National Park Declaration and the National Park Plan. Specially trained and authorised National Park Agents are appointed by the Provincial Government to ensure that the law is adhered to.

For more information please go to Rechtsinformationssystem RIS

First and foremost, the National Park Agents Law sets out regulations concerning the qualifications and authority of the National Park Agents. It was unanimously passed by the Styrian Provincial Government on 17th June 2003 and came into force on 1st October 2003. As such it was the final piece of legislation required for the establishment of the Gesaeuse National Park.

National Park Agents are sworn-in auxiliary agents of the Conservation Authority and supersede the mountain rescue teams and nature wardens formerly working in the National Park area. Their duty is to provide information, education and supervision. However they also have policing powers, such as the confiscation of illicit items and the issuing of fines. Consequently, a great deal is demanded of them in terms of both their personal and professional qualities. The National Park Agents work on a voluntary basis. They are appointed and certified by the Provincial Government, only once they have passed a proficiency test. They must commit themselves to a particular period of annual service and to continuous training. The National Park Agents are under the control of the Local Government Head Office and are obliged to carry ID-cards and a clearly visible badge of office.

The decree, passed unanimously by the Provincial Government on 24th February 2003, supplements and elucidates the protection regulations laid down in the National Park Law. The National Park Plan is divided into two sections, covering respectively, management measures for the protection of the natural environment and for the guidance of visitors.

Picking and damaging plants is just as much forbidden as disturbing, catching or killing animals. The protection of the sensitive water biotopes is of paramount importance. It is only permitted to enter them at specially marked places. As in the past, entering caves and damaging geological formations (including digging gravel) remain prohibited. The natural woodland must be preserved and forest plantations must be transformed along more natural lines. Because woodland-protection managers interfere as little as possible with nature, measures against so-called 'forest pests' are reduced to a minimum. No more is done than is required to afford protection to neighbouring woodlands. Laws governing hunting and fishing remain valid within the Gesaeuse National Park and are applied under the terms of the National Park Law.

Amongst other measures, therefore, the National Park Administration has drawn up a Wildlife Protection Plan, has set up a 'quiet area' where wildlife will not be disturbed, and it is also gradually reducing the practice of feeding the animals. With the consent of the National Park Administration, angling is permitted in order to preserve natural biodiversity. Spawning areas can only be entered by authorised persons. Alpine pastures are maintained on the basis of organic farming.

Steps taken for the guidance of visitors must promote the understanding of nature and types of activity and experience that are environmentally acceptable, such as traditional mountaineering. Particular points of focus are: to offer people better, environmentally-friendly ways of moving around the Park, and to construct the means whereby the physically disabled can gain access to an authentic experience of nature. People who do commercial work in the National Park need the consent of the National Park Administration. Generally speaking, sporting competitions are prohibited. However, such traditional events as the Xeis-Rodeo and the Tamischbach Tower Race are still allowed, subject to the approval of the conservation authorities. Together with the local municipalities and alpine organisations the National Park Administration is putting together a plan for a long distance Alpine footpath. On marked routes cycling, mountain biking, and horse riding are permitted, and, as in the past, so is rafting on the Enns for holders of navigation licences. The legal situation has also remained unchanged in respect of aviation: a minimum height of 150 meters has to be maintained. On the other hand, moto-cross and rallying are not regarded as compatible with the environment and are therefore prohibited.

The National Park Plan is valid for ten years. However, its effectiveness will be reviewed after five years.