The Canal and biodiversity

The Seine-Nord Europe Canal is committed to the preservation of natural spaces and the biodiversity of the territory in which it is located. The fauna, flora and habitats of existing species are an integral part of the project to guarantee its sustainability and development. More than a waterway, the Seine-Nord Europe Canal is designed as a living Canal, a place of reception and life for multiple species.

AVOID – REDUCE – COMPENSATE

To limit its impact on the environment as much as possible, the Seine-Nord Europe Canal implements the Avoid-Reduce-Compensate approach, which aims to avoid impacts on natural environments, if not reduce them, and ultimately compensate for them. Many measures are thus integrated into the design and construction choices of the Canal.

Illustration of this approach, the route of the Canal has been designed to avoid impacts on sites with high environmental stakes. Spanning the river, the emblematic 1 meter long Somme Canal Bridge preserves the great ecological wealth of the Somme valley.

More than 1200 hectares dedicated to biodiversity

Beyond ecological equivalence, the Canal ultimately aims an increase in biodiversity of the territory. Its design incorporates various environmental features:

Developments creating favorable habitats for animal and plant species: 25 km of ecological banks and 17 hectares of hydraulic annexes.
Facilities to facilitate the crossing of the Canal by wildlife and preserving the existing ecological corridors: gently sloping climbing beaches, water outlet structures, passages under the Canal, climbing ladders that can be used by wildlife, eco-bridge dedicated to the passage of large wildlife, etc.
About sixty compensation sites, mostly near the Canal: creation or restoration of wetlands, ponds or even dry meadows; plantations of afforestation, hedges, etc.

A construction site that respects the environment

The Seine-Nord Europe Canal is deploying a series of actions aimed at reduce the effects of the construction site on fauna and flora: displacement of plant species and capture/release of amphibians and fish before works, clearing outside bird breeding periods, installation of nesting boxes as substitute habitats for birds… but also specific treatment of invasive plants.

Already done

First developments in Bienville

From 2017, first developments in Bienville: planting of 3 trees, creation of ponds and a footpath.

First developments in Bienville

From 2017, first developments in Bienville: planting of 3 trees, creation of ponds and a footpath.

Ribécourt high school works

In 2019, development of an ecological space by the students of the horticultural school of Ribécourt-Dreslincourt, prototype for the next ecological works.

Ribécourt high school works

In 2019, development of an ecological space by the students of the horticultural school of Ribécourt-Dreslincourt, prototype for the next ecological works.

6500 plants in Chiry-Ourscamp

In 2021, planting of 6 seedlings in Chiry-Ourscamp and Cléry-sur-Somme.

The Canal's nesting boxes

In 2022, nearly 600 nesting boxes installed in the gardens of local residents and schoolyards in the municipalities of sector 1

Moving the Crest Speedwell

In 2022, continuation of planting in the Oise valley, movement of seeds of the protected species Veronique à écusson

Environmental development

Early 2023, already 150 hectares of environmental improvements completed

The Canal's nesting boxes

The Nichoirs du Canal operation was launched in 2022 and continues until the end of the works: Let's make residents' gardens and schoolyards, places of reception and reproduction of birds living near the Canal construction sites.

The Nesting Boxes of the Canal

The Canal and the water

The Canal and the ecological transition

The Canal and the landscapes

AVOID – REDUCE – COMPENSATE

More than 1200 hectares dedicated to biodiversity

A construction site that respects the environment

Already done

The Canal's nesting boxes

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