The Canal's environmental authorization

The Seine-Nord Europe Canal works are subject to environmental authorization under articles L. 181-1 and L.214-3 of the environmental code. Delivered by State services, this authorization ensures the protection of the environment at each stage of the project and covers different areas (authorization under the law on water and aquatic environments, exemption from regulations relating to protected species and clearance authorization).

3 steps:

The environmental authorization procedure takes place in 3 stages:

an examination phase : collection of all the opinions required by the regulations, in particular from the General Council for the Environment and Sustainable Development (CGEDD) and the National Council for the Protection of Nature (CNPN);
a public inquiry phase, organized by the Prefect of Oise;
a decision phase : the decision rests with the Prefect, who has previously consulted the CODERST (Departmental Council for the Environment and Health and Technological Risks).

The public inquiry: a key step that concerns you

The environmental public inquiry phase brings together the inhabitants and the actors of the territory. It aims to inform them and collect their observations on the integration of the Canal into its environment. It is conducted by an independent commission of inquiry.

At the end of the public inquiry period, the commission studies all the contributions on the project and then drafts its opinion. Taking into consideration the report of the investigation, the State intervenes finally by granting, if necessary, the environmental authorization, in the form of prefectural decree, containing prescriptions for the construction site, and allowing the Société du Canal Seine- Nord Europe to begin work on the Canal.

What authorization for the Today Channel?

The environmental permit for the Seine-Nord Europe Canal is issued in two stroke :

first for sector 1 of the Canal: from Compiègne to Passel,
then for sectors 2, 3 and 4: from Passel to Aubencheul-au-Bac.

The sector 1 public inquiry took place from October 5 to November 12, 2020. It concluded with a favorable opinion from the commission of inquiry, issued unanimously by its members, accompanied by 8 recommendations, then by the environmental authorization decree issued by the State on April 8, 2021.

The public inquiry for sectors 2, 3 and 4 will be held in the first quarter of 2024. The environmental authorization order is planned for the second half of 2024.

Environmental authorization of the sectors between Compiègne and Passel (sector 1)

Environmental authorization of the sectors between Passel and Aubencheul-au-Bac

The Canal's environmental authorization

3 steps:

The public inquiry: a key step that concerns you

What authorization for the Today Channel?

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