With winter and the successive floods of the Loire River, immense quantities of driftwood accumulated on the banks of Lake Villerest. The mayor of the town wants to make it easier for individuals to recover this wood.
On March 16, the federations of hunters, fishermen and hikers organized the “I love the clean Loire” operation in more than 80 municipalities in the department. The initiative aimed to clean up the banks of the Loire and fight against illegal dumping. Around a hundred people took part in this morning on the Villerest side. The opportunity in particular to recover the driftwood present on site. As an extension of this initiative, the town hall has wanted to authorize for a month, access to Chemin du Grézelon for motorized vehicles. The decree, first extended until April 17, will finally remain in force until the end of April, announced Mayor Philippe Perron.
“This path is usually not allowed for cars. Until the end of April, we will leave the removable terminal giving access to the path down. People can go, with or without a trailer, to collect wood along Chemin du Grézelon. »
A collection that is a big success
It must be said that the edges of the lake are still well stocked with driftwood, although many individuals have already come, the councilor welcomes: “This given possibility of recovering this wood attracts a large number of people: artists, parents, children who come to look for materials to be able to do a whole bunch of things with them. It’s successful. »
But what to do with the remaining wood at the end of the operation and as summer, synonymous with swimming, looms?
The mayor indicates that the Etablissement Public Loire (EPL), manager of the Loire River, the Villerest dam and the potential consequences that its activity can cause, has decided to mobilize a financial sum to set up barges intended to clean the lake and its banks.
There are therefore a few days left for interested people to be able to obtain this very popular natural material to make tables, shelves or works of art.
