Fundamentals

The agreements as per Art. 15a of the B-VG define the cornerstones for the establishment and management of each national park: area, purpose, administration, tasks, funding and possible advisory boards or curatories.

The detailed national park legislation and the national park ordinances (management plans) are issued by the Provinces.

Forms of organisation and administration
A fund-type solution has been found for the first national park (Hohe Tauern), whereas the second one (Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel) is a public corporation.
 
For the following national parks (Danube Floodplain, Upper Austrian Limestone Alps, Thaya Valley, Gesaeuse) non-profit companies with limited liability have been established.  The company contracts have been concluded between the Republic of Austria and the respective Federal Province (Provinces).  The Federal Government and the Federal Province (Provinces) each hold 50 % of the shares of these limited liability companies.
The organs of the company are the managing director and the general assembly. There are normally 4 to 6 assembly members representing the Federal Government and the Federal Province (Provinces) on the principle of parity. The position of managing director is advertised publicly.
 
The organisational structures of the two national parks of Hohe Tauern and Lake Neusiedl -Seewinkel differ from the national parks that were established afterwards.  In the case of the Hohe Tauern NP there are three Provincial funds (Carinthia, Salzburg and the Tyrol) and three separate national park administrations with the “National Park Council” as coordinating body.  The Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel NP is a public corporation. 

03.05.2011,