Ecological continuity of waterways
The policy of restoring the ecological continuity of waterways is aimed at restoring the flow of migratory fish and the transport of sediments along certain waterways. It aims to ensure the health of waterways (as defined in the European Water Framework Directive) and to protect species and ecosystems. The policy of restoring the ecological continuity of waterways takes into account the preservation of cultural, archaeological and built heritage.
The Environmental Code provides that works on certain waterways must be subject to appropriate measures to ensure sufficient sediment transport and the free movement of migratory fish (waterways classified under the second paragraph of theArticle L. 214-17 of this Code, known as “listed 2”).
The induced interventions have an impact on the entire cultural heritage crossed by waterways: the bodies of buildings but also the hydraulic infrastructure, water reservoirs, rods, paddle wheels or turbines and the associated mechanical assemblies (mills in particular).
An interdepartmental working group
To balance environmental and heritage issues, a working group was established in 2015.
This working group brought together representatives of the Ministries of Culture and Ecological transition and territorial cohesion and representatives of two mill federations; the French Mill Federation (FDMF) and the French Federation of Mills Conservation Associations (FFAM).
An analysis grid for characterizing the hydraulic heritage
Following the group’s work, the Water and Biodiversity Directorate (Ministry of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion and the Directorate-General for Heritage and Architecture (Ministry of Culture) established a characterization and qualification analysis grid (with its instructions for use) of the hydraulic heritage.
This grid is intended, in particular, for water agencies, owners and owners, design offices or any project promoter on a watershed or watercourses such as local authorities and fishing federations.
The objective is to complete this analysis grid in order to better characterize a work and to make it one of the constituent parts of the dossier of proposal of development or change of management modality of the work in question.
Legislation & regulation
- Act no. 2006-1772 of 30 December 2006 on water and aquatic environments
- Environmental Code, section L. 211-1
- CASL (Freedom of Creation, Architecture and Heritage) Act, Section 101
- Environment Code, Article L. 214-17
- Circular of 25 January 2010 on the implementation by the State and its public institutions of an action plan for the restoration of the ecological continuity of waterways
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