Environmental public inquiry Sector 1: Favorable opinion of the Commission of Inquiry

The environmental public inquiry report on sector 1 of the Canal Seine-Nord Europe (CSNE), between Compiègne and Passel in the Oise, was published this Friday, December 18 and reports a favorable opinion of the Commission of Inquiry.

The environmental public inquiry for sector 1 took place from October 5 to November 12 in 27 municipalities in the Oise. 122 comments and 25 contributions were made by individuals, communities, socio-economic players and associations. From a thematic point of view, a majority of opinions focused on issues related to the environment (water, environment in general, works, clearing, management of material deposits, etc.), the subject of the survey. But some opinions also concerned more general aspects of the project: route, related development projects in particular. The Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe will continue in the coming months to inform, explain the choices and share the economic, social and environmental benefits of the future Canal.

The brief from the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe provides detailed answers to the various observations gathered by major theme. Beyond that, the contracting authority undertakes to continue consultation and information on the project to take into consideration the recommendations that have been made.

In view of the opinions expressed by the public and the responses provided by the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe, the commission of inquiry unanimously issued a favorable opinion on the application for environmental authorization for sector 1 of the Seine Canal. -Northern Europe, with eight recommendations.

One of these recommendations concerns the environmental measure providing for the restoration of an old gravel pit located in Pontpoint in a wetland conducive to the development of biodiversity. It consists of partially filling in this gravel pit to create a reedbed (25ha) and restore a mosaic of open wetlands (13ha), while preserving the flood control function of this site. Belatedly included in the authorization file in order to comply with a legislative amendment made in mid-2019, i.e. after the file was submitted to the State services, the detailed elements of this compensatory measure could not be provided before the investigation environmental public, raising questions. Since the end of the public inquiry, the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe has already had discussions with local elected officials. They will continue in the weeks and months to come to define a shared development contributing in particular to strengthening the environmental quality of the territory.

The Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe will also pay attention, in the rest of the project, to the other recommendations made by the Commission of Inquiry.

The project owner also noted contributions from fishing industry : the associations have expressed their strong expectations that the construction and subsequent commissioning of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal will guarantee the maintenance of their activities. Here again, the SCSNE will continue the dialogue with the federation of fishermen of the Oise in order to find the development solutions best suited to fish farming issues.