The Commission
The Federal Commission for the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage FCNC is an independent, extra-parliamentary body, comprising 15 experts in the fields of nature, landscape and cultural heritage protection.
The Commission
- advises the Federal Council and the relevant Department on fundamental matters of nature and cultural heritage protection;
- contributes in an advisory capacity to the enforcement of the Federal Law on the Protection of Nature and Cultural Heritage (NHG);
- contributes to the preparation and updating of the inventories of sites of national importance;
- submits opinions on proposed projects to the federal and cantonal authorities in cases where implementation could have a substantial adverse impact on sites listed in the Federal Inventory of Landscapes and Natural Monuments of National Importance or the Federal Inventory of Heritage Sites of national importance ISOS and protection of heritage sites;
- advises cantonal agencies on matters of nature and cultural heritage protection;
- prepares submissions to the Federal Supreme Court or cantonal administrative courts.
Secretariat
In terms of organization, the FCNC secretariat is attached to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). In terms of subject matter, the Secretariat reports to the Commission itself.