This Thursday, on the border between Gard and Hérault, political and administrative leaders signed PAPI 3. A vast €70 million plan, allowing work to be carried out to limit the damage caused by flooding.
Year 2002. Torrential rains pour down on the Gard. Some elected officials, like the mayor of Villetelle (34), Jean-Pierre Navas, still remember it. For those who were not there, flood marks on the buildings bear witness to the cruel passage of water. This morning, on the Moulin de Carrière site, on the banks of the Vidourle, the natural border between the departments of Gard and Hérault, the elected officials of the two territories signed Papi 3.
• Coralie Mollaret
A flood prevention action program (Papi) carried out by the EPTB Vidourle (territorial public basin establishment) chaired by Pierre Martinez. The result of a political union between elected officials from the two departments, this plan is worth around €70 million, spanning from 2024 to 2029. It will notably make it possible to secure 150,000 people and 3,000 businesses. On the financing side, a third is provided by Hérault elected officials, €5.8 million by the Departmental Council, €8.5 million by the Region, €2.7 million by European funds and around 40% by the State.
What actions?
“ There is consensus on water issues », commented Jérôme Bonet, prefect of Gard, adding that this signature “ should have taken place several months ago » but the absence of government caused some delays. However, “ we did not wait for this signature to launch some actions “, reassured the state representative. This Papi 3 is divided into eight areas including an improvement in risk awareness, an extension of the flood forecasting network, support for the development of flood risk zoning studies. On the works side, actions will be carried out to reduce the vulnerability of buildings and homes with improved drainage of the Marsillargues plain.
• Coralie Mollaret
In order to slow down flows, the EPTB will put in place ice jam management systems and create flood expansion zones, particularly in the Jassette sector. Regarding the management of hydraulic works, construction of dikes is planned on the right bank side (Lunel/Marsillargues). Dyke works also in Gallargues and Aimargues.
• Coralie Mollaret
This program follows Papi 1 (2003/2011) worth €30 million and Papi 2 (2012/2017) costing €43 million. A long fight against the vagaries of water, “ useful and essential for the future », Underlined Fabrice Verdier, PS Occitanie regional advisor. In the distance, Marie Christine, a resident of Villetelle who came by chance to hike on this site, says she is relieved: “ It’s reassuring… I still remember the floods of 2002 with the people traveling in boats. I will tell all my friends that there is such a plan coming. »
