Question 7690 — water and sanitation

Summary

Restoring the ecological continuity of watercourses (free movement of fish and sediments) is an essential component of achieving the good status of water bodies in accordance with the Water Framework Directive. This continuity is essentially impacted by the weirs and dams which are on the watercourses. They more or less strongly prevent the movement of fish towards their habitats, refuges and spawning grounds, flood some of these same elements and store sediments. To reduce these effects, the law has provided for classifications of watercourses which make it obligatory for existing works in a minor bed to ensure fish circulation and sediment transport where this issue is high. This concern is old since the first law requiring fish to cross structures dates from 1865 before the large dams. and before the pollution of the 20th century. The implementation of ecological continuity requires the reconciliation of several important issues such as water quality, hydroelectricity, heritage and the preservation of biodiversity. Some stakeholders concerned are showing strong reactions. However, the restoration of continuity in no way has the objective and consequence of destroying the mills since it does not is only interested in thresholds in the minor bed of watercourses and that different development solutions exist. In order to calm things down, a working group was formed within the national water committee (CNE). The mill defense federations and the French residents' association are fully involved. Made up of representatives of all the stakeholders concerned, this working group will have met five times between October 2017 and June 2018. He was entrusted by the CNE with a mission of listening, analysis and synthesis formulated in the form of a draft action plan to improve the implementation of ecological continuity on the ground. The national water committee will issue an opinion on this draft plan which will be addressed to the Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition. We have no doubt, in view of the group's work, that it will make it possible to take the necessary measures to facilitate a more peaceful implementation of ecological continuity while respecting the different parties, the different issues and European regulations.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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