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Show area of the canton to determine the need for avalanche zone planning. This canton is the only one which has a detailed law concerning avalanche zoning plans, which went into effect April 24, 1964. The serious avalanches in January 1968 drastically demonstrated the need for avalanche zone planning. On 5 February 1968, Senator Hubacher introduced the following bi11/ postulate to the Senate of the canton of Berne: " The government is asked to investigate the possible methods of constructing an avalanche zoning map for mountain areas. The latest avalanche occurrences have shown that such a map would not only be beneficial for the local people, but also for the tourist trade and for the building of tourist facilities, since it would give information on possible avalanche paths. In this connection, the question is raised if in areas designated as avalanche zones, construction should be prohibited, and if avalanche zoning could be used as a basis for an avalanche cadaster, which, analagous to the torrent cadaster, could be used for the promotion of structural avalanche control. The avalanche zoning map should also include every known avalanche path. Complete information is probably not possible, and no government responsibility could be linked to such a map. It should be used only as a guide." In the press release, the Federal Forest Inspectorate also focused attention on avalanche zoning plans: " Because of observations made this winter, it is necessary to focus additional attention to organizations such as the Avalanche Warning Service in these regions, and to the so- called Passive Avalanche Defense that deals with the mapping of avalanche zones in which provisions have been made to restrict construction and which include building specifications." As a result of a bill/ postulate introduced by Representative Leu on 5 March 1968, the Diet ( representatives of the cantons in the Parliament) will also have to deal with avalanche zone planning. This bill/ postulate demands a thorough investigation on how law could be applied to inhabited areas to force the construction of avalanche defense structures and to prohibit construction in danger zones. A bill introduced to the National Council by Senator Grunig on 6 March 1968, states the following: " Thought should be given to a possible speedy establishment of an avalanche cadaster that would encompass all areas in Switzerland, especially since such a cadaster has already been demanded by different cantonal parliaments. Such an avalanche register would be prerequisite for avalanche zoning according to Article 32, Section 1. It would also constitute a solid basis for additional and necessary control structures. It would be an important part of indispensable national and regional planning in the mountains." On the whole, avalanche zoning in Switzerland is still at its beginning. It can be proofed by some figures how big the task is which should be set about doing now. In the twelve mountain cantons of Berne, Uri, Schwyz, Ob-walden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Fribourg, St. Gall, the Grisons, Tessin, Vaud and Valais there are 312 communities that need avalanche zone plans. Of these only 29 or 9% have such plans which often are not complete and extend only over part of the whole territory. These 312 communities extend over 1.5 |