“Excessive tree cutting” in Yvelines? Associations file complaints against the ONF

Jade and Sauvons les Yvelines, two environmental associations, filed a complaint against the ONF, denouncing work in the Beynes area around a pond, which would threaten protected species. The establishment responsible for managing public forests highlights “numerous controls” to “limit the impact of exploitation on the environment”.

The associations point the finger at “excessive tree cutting” on a plot of the national forest of Beynes, in Yvelines. A complaint, filed on December 30 by Jade and Sauvons les Yvelines, targets the National Forestry Office (ONF) and Zunino – a public works company – in particular For “deliberate destruction of clearly identified wetlands” et “voluntary and irremediable destruction of protected habitats of amphibians and other protected arboreal species“.

The plot in question is home to a pond, around which trees stand, some of which were felled during work which began in mid-December. “It threatens the habitats of protected species, explains Jean-François Bron, member of the Sauvons les Yvelines association. We denounce the non-compliance with the Environmental Code, which prohibits starting work without an exemption concerning protected species. This is a wetland, in which species protected by law have been inventoried: amphibians and bats.“

“Several species of bats have been formally identified around the pond. During felling in the immediate vicinity of a wetland, a lot of wood falls, which will end up in the amphibian habitat. And trees are habitats usable by bats“, he continues.

“Species are protected because they are in decline. The destruction of habitats is one of the primary causes of the decline of biodiversity. For an exemption to be justified, a complete inventory of the species concerned must be made. We are not asking for an end to logging in the forest, but we must respect protected species when we exploit the wood. The ONF could leave this wetland free, but they do not take our requests into account and the State services let it happen.“, says Jean-François Bron.

The ONF, contacted, highlights the implementation of “numerous checks“and a”framing“near the pond for”limit the impact of operations on the environment” with “particular attention to adapting the work to the plot“. “There have been requirements implemented, including compliance with regulatory distances for the circulation of machinery. Lumberjacks work tree by tree to avoid taking over the land and changing the environment too much.“, explains the establishment.

The ONF also regrets “damage“discovered on its panels – notably with the inscription”ONF forest plunderer“-and a”conflict of uses“involving”a small portion of users“. The establishment also reminds “the many reasons“for which the operations are carried out:”National forests are areas that belong to the State. The ONF, which manages its domains, applies the forest regime, a framework which seeks to ensure the management and conservation of the forest.“

The establishment cites the importance of “ensure local and sustainable wood resources“, while ensuring the reception of the public in the forest with “a layout that allows everyone to enjoy the place but also avoids too great an impact on the environment“. “Wood that is not managed will not necessarily grow well. The objective is to support healthy growth of trees to better promote wood, while maintaining ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.“, indicates the ONF, which says it has for “vocation to perpetuate the forest“.

On the side of Sauvons les Yvelines, Jean-François Bron hopes for the opening of an investigation so that “for the future, the prosecutor can take legal action to go to court“The associations are calling for the cuts to be temporarily suspended, fearing a “irreversible impact on the biodiversity“. A request which, according to them, has remained unanswered at this stage.