The renovation work began at the end of August to allow the return of tourist barges on a portion of around twenty kilometers between Friesenheim (Bas-Rhin) and Artzenheim (Haut-Rhin). An order was issued to this effect on August 5.
The prefects had granted environmental authorization allowing the work to begin, reports the Strasbourg administrative court in a press release. Two associations urgently took legal action to challenge this order suspended by the judge.
The magistrate considers that the emergency condition is met, because the work will lead to the destruction of individuals of protected species of bats and birds, as well as that of shrubs, brambles and brushwood essential to their biology, producing thus irreversible effects.
This suspension is provisional, until the administrative court rules on the merits of the appeal. A decision could be made in the coming months, as the case is still under investigation.
Cowherd, kingfisher, goosander. So many protected species have been spotted as living on the 24 kilometer section of the canal intended to be renovated, according to environmental defense associations.
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