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Soil - not just the mud underneath our feet

For decades air and water protection have been considered first priority issues on the environmental agenda. However, during the last couple of years public awareness has more and more focussed on soil as an important environmental compartment, which requires protection. With the introduction of a legal framework for soil protection at the federal and regional level, soil finally became an environmental asset protected by law.

Soil protection in NRW is focussing on different spheres of action. The Soil Protection Unit of the LUA is developing the technical basis for soil protection measures. These are ranging from merely precautionary measures to concepts preventing hazards caused by harmful soil alterations. This also includes the development and implementation of the NRW Soil Information System.

Special emphasis is given to agricultural soil protection issues, as more than half of the surface of NRW is agricultural land.

On the link Soil Protection News authorities working in the field of soil protection, consultants and other interested persons will find news and some useful technical guides for the implementation of soil protection measures, together with some information on relevant events and projects.

      North Rhine-Westphalia State Environment Agency 2006