Announcement pursuant to § 5 para. 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (UVPG) regarding the determination of the EIA obligation for a project by Kaiser 90 Immobilien GmbH, Am Hohnekirchhof 5, 59494 Soest for the relocation of the Gummersbach in the area of the former wallpaper factory P+S

Kaiser 90 Immobilien GmbH, Hohnekirchhof 5, 59494 Soest applies for the relocation of the Gummersbach in the area of the former wallpaper factory P+S.

The proposed project involves a watercourse development according to § 67 para. 2 WHG (Water Resources Act).

According to § 68 para. 1 WHG, watercourse development requires approval by the competent authority.

According to § 68 para. 2 WHG, for watercourse development for which there is no obligation to carry out an environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Act, a planning approval can be granted instead.

The planned project falls under § 2 para. 4 no. 1a) UVPG in connection with § 1 para. 1 no. 1 UVPG and is listed in no. 13.18.1 column 2 of annex 1 to the UVPG. Accordingly, a general preliminary examination for the environmental impact assessment was required.

The application documents comprehensibly demonstrate that the project is not expected to have significant adverse environmental impacts on the protection objects to be considered according to UVPG. This assessment is based on the following aspects in particular:

The piped section of the Gummersbach is located below the property of the former wallpaper factory P+S and is in need of renovation. The project sponsor also plans the construction of a residential complex.   The area is designated as a mixed-use zone in the land-use plan. The area is not covered by a landscape plan and is not located in a landscape conservation area.

The relocation is intended to align the planned development and future maintenance.

There is an entry in the suspected contamination register. Appropriate measures will be determined by the competent authority.

Noise pollution is expected to be construction-related and temporary. Suitable protective measures will be taken against water pollution. During dry periods, little to no water flows as a rule.

Other significant adverse environmental impacts on the protection objects to be considered are not apparent.

The general preliminary examination of the individual case has shown that significant adverse environmental impacts of the aforementioned project are not to be expected, taking into account the criteria listed in annex 3.

According to § 5 para. 1 UVPG, it is determined that there is no obligation to carry out an environmental impact assessment for the proposed project.

The determination is not independently contestable according to § 5 para. 3 UVPG.

The public information required according to § 5 para. 2 sentence 1 UVPG is provided with this announcement.

Gummersbach, May 4, 2026
Oberbergischer Kreis
The District Administrator
Environmental Office of the Oberbergischer Kreis
On behalf
signed Müller