Extinction Rebellion activists occupying Bois de la Colombière
that the prefect of Haute-Savoie has just published an order declaring of public utility the project to develop the hillside reservoir of La Colombière, in La Clusaz, in Haute-Savoie, activists from Extinction Rebellion have settled on the site to request its removal.
Members of local associations and environmental organizations are standing up against the hillside reservoir project at the La La Clusaz. They intimated to “save Beauregard”.
Car, in youn decree published on September 19 last, the prefect of Haute-Savoie, declared of public utility the development project of the hillside reservoir of the Colombiereon the plateau of Beauregard.
A reservoir deployed at an altitude of 1,500 meters which will supply the inhabitants of the commune with drinking water, irrigate agricultural activities and also produce artificial snow.
So during the night from Friday to Saturday, more than a dozen Extinction Rebellion activists arrived in the woods of the Col de la Colombiere and have integrated platforms between the trees to “to live”they explain. Their goal is toprevent hill reservoir work from starting: “We will stay night and day, taking turns until the prefect withdraws the project.” confides an activist from Extinction Rebellion present on the spot.
Opponents of the project do not find “it is normal that the feasible work should begin when several appeals have been filed by associations against the prefect’s decision”. Furthermore, they claimthe organization of a collective citizen reflection on the management of water, energy, soil and spaces on the Massif des Aravis with a real consideration of the current ecological crisis.”
Yesterday, two police cars came to see the occupation of the premises. This Sunday morning, the activists of Extinction Rebellion have been joined by other conservation associations from the Beauregard plateau. In particular, they invited citizens to come and discuss this project.
This project for a new hillside reserve was voted on April 29, 2021 by the municipal Council of the La Clusazin Haute-Savoie. “We are in dire need of water”then assured the mayor, Didier Thevenetto defend this 148,000 m3 altitude reservoir project.
On October 24, 2021, a public inquiry commission issued a favorable opinion on the project, declaring it “of public interest for the population of the valley of the Aravis which lives off tourism in its current form”could we read in the report, which however pointed out some limits, in particular a “questionable” energy efficiency, the “destruction of habitats and specimens of protected species” to carry it out and a “negative impact on biodiversity”, especially during the construction phase.
Work for this hillside reservoir can begin at any time.