The opposition of local residents will have got the better of the future Coulobres water reservoir, north of Béziers. The Hérault department has formalized the abandonment of this project but intends to continue working on similar projects, in Florensac and Pouzolles in particular.
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“This is excellent news for us” jubilant on the phone Eric Marcinkowskithe secretary of the “Terre de Lène” association.
Since April 2023, the latter has been mobilizing against a water retention project carried out by the department, in Coulobres (Hérault) which would allow local farmers to supply themselves with water during droughts, by diverting water from the Bas-Rhône. A project definitively buried by the president of the Departmental Council, Kléber Mesquida, this Monday, January 13, on the occasion of his wishes to the press of western Hérault.
“We are delighted with this favorable outcome for us, continues this resident of Coulobres. We have undertaken various actions while respecting the institutions and we are happy to see that our actions and our voices have been heard.”
On the other side of the negotiating table, the department of Hérault regrets a dialogue that it considers difficult: “We tried to discuss, to travel to Coulobres with the department's services, to present this simple project, assures Yvon Pellet, vice-president of the department responsible for agricultural economics and rural development. But in front of us, we came up against people who did not want to hear about these deductions and who put pressure on the mayor of Coulobres, who is a man of integrity, common sense and the territories.
In the joint morning show Ici Hérault – France 3 Occitanie, this Wednesday January 15, President Kléber Mesquida was more lively.
If they don't want it, we're not going to make people happy despite themselves. When we see the impact, it was added value for the territory (…) They are missing out on an opportunity, it's their choice. We have more to do.
Kléber Mesquida, president of the Hérault Departmental Council.
If the Coulobres project does not see the light of day, the department wishes to concentrate on two other independent sites, despite a financial context “very tense”.
That of Florensac where the department “continues his work” and that of Pouzolles l’étang. The latter would, subsequently, supply new water reservoirs in the Magalas, Autignac and Caussiniojouls sector. “For these two projects, a strategic committee must meet in February. We will propose the continuation of the studies.” If the continuation of the studies is confirmed, the work would not begin before the end of 2026.
