The Regional Chamber of Accounts has released its report on the Department of Hérault. It is part of an inter-regional investigation relating to the development of the Mediterranean coast, with regard to its risks and environmental issues.
The Chamber of Auditors begins its report with a necessary contextualization. “Since the 1960s, the coastline has become the main location for human activities in the Hérault department,” say the auditors. In 2018, it was the leading tourist destination in the Occitanie region and the fourth nationally. It was also positioned at the forefront of the departments in terms of attendance at campsites, increased in the summer period. Not to mention the numerous economic activities, particularly maritime, which also take place there.
Risks of flooding and marine submersion
However, the coastal fringe of Hérault, which therefore concentrates a large part of its population, is exposed to major natural risks. “In addition to coastal erosion, which is characterized by slow action that the public authorities are trying to contain, they are essentially made up of the risks of flooding and marine submersion,” alarms the Chamber. These will worsen in the years to come under the effect of climate change and rising sea levels. “The operational management of the departmental coastal development strategy must be improved,” believes the Chamber of Accounts.
“Operational management currently appears incomplete”
Since 2018, the Hérault department has formalized its overall coastal development strategy in a document, called Hérault littoral, summarizing
all public policies to be implemented by 2030. This strategic document is supplemented by three pillars specific to ports and maritime sectors, sensitive natural areas and tourism. “Their operational management currently appears to be incomplete due to a lack of systematization of all of these plans, results indicators and detailed reports on the actions carried out, making it possible to regularly assess their effectiveness,” judge the auditors.
“Contrasting” results
“The actions of the department aimed at coastal development have recorded contrasting results,” continues the Chamber. The Hérault department has historically been involved in flood and marine submersion risk management actions. Not having the competence to develop regulatory documents governing land use, its action now focuses mainly on raising public awareness of the fragilities and specificities of the coastline.
What about the Maison du littoral on the Aresquiers site? ?
“The ambitious nature of certain major projects in the Hérault littoral strategy came up against practical implementation constraints,” the auditors point out. This is the case with the construction site linked to the construction of the Maison du littoral on the remarkable Aresquiers site, which has been substantially lengthened and which should not be completed before 2026. » More information, click here.
