The decree “redefining the perimeter and regulations of the Yves Bay and Marsh National Nature Reserve” has been published. It therefore formalizes the extension of the reserve to 1,206 hectares, including 880 in the public maritime domain. The draft decree was submitted for discussion in 2022.
It immediately raised protests among regulars of the place such as owners of boat docks whose access is located on the perimeter of the extension – dogs are therefore prohibited from being present on the pontoons. The text also provided for the ban on fishing on foot, the limitation of professional fishing and imposed restrictions on walkers, cyclists, farmers, hunters… The Tudaf association (All united for the defense of the bay of Fouras) s was formed to obtain flexibility while preserving biodiversity.
Pedestrians, hunters…
The communities were especially concerned about seeing the reserve “jump” the national road, as well as potential complications in the hydraulic management of the marsh and the possibility of intervening for necessary work, including emergency work. Departmental Council of Charente-Maritime, Agglo de La Rochelle and town halls of Fouras, Châtelaillon and Yves had issued an unfavorable opinion on the draft decree.
In December 2023, the Council of State was referred to the file for an opinion. Decree 2024-1030, signed by the Minister of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, also mentions that the high court was “heard”, without that this does not hinder the extension project.
The document confirms the ban on dogs on pontoons, the ban on fishing on foot, drone flights at less than 300 m altitude, etc. Cyclists must not leave the trails provided for this purpose, the same goes for horses ridden or held in the bridle as well as walkers whose dogs must be on a leash.
Confiscatory
In an email addressed to these members, this Tuesday, November 19, the Tudaf association calls for “the mobilization of all to support us in the preparation of the appeal to the Council of State against the maintenance of the confiscatory and liberticidal provisions” contained in the decree and “which were at the heart of our fight during the public inquiry in November and December 2021.”
The president cites in particular article 1 of the decree which sets the limit of the reserve at the level of the sea wall for Yves and at the level of the cliff for Fouras. “This provision prohibits access to the beach and the foreshore to all walkers, visitors, tourists and local residents who have always frequented Anse de Fouras!”
