The friends of the dams association

THE FRIENDS OF THE DAMS ASSOCIATION (Les Amis du Barrage) DEMAND THAT THE DECISION TO LEVEL OFF THE DAMS BE FROZEN.

To satisfy a handful of fanatical ecologists and some daydreamers, the government decided to level off the dams of VEZINS and LA ROCHE QUI BOIT in South Manche.

The reasons set forth are the restoration of the water quality and that of the free circulation of migrating fish.

The dams themselves are not polluting, but their lakes play the part of purification basins and retain part of the pollution coming from upstream. Thus, human beings together with salmon enjoy the use of a correct quality of water. To assert that migrating fish would get upstream the Selune following the disappearance of the dams is pure utopia because the polluted waters would flow way down to the Mont St Michel bay and salmon would probably not get farther than the mouth of the river from which it would totally disappear.

Although rightfully opposed by the officials and a majority of the concerned population, such a decision is said to be irreversible on the grounds that it arises from the “Grenelle de l’Environnement” based on a vote from the “SAGE Sélune” and the approval of the “CLE”.

The government stresses the necessity to reduce pollution, increase the production of clean and renewable energies and preserve water reserves.

Yet, it is about to contaminate one of the world’s most beautiful bay in increasing significantly the proliferation of green algae. The leveling off of the dams would also result in the disappearance of two hydroelectric plants capable of supplying power to 15,000 people, and in the suppression of a 20 million cubic meters water reserve.

All inconsistencies and contradictions which is high time to stand against, because if such a decision were to be executed, its consequences would be irreversible.

This is the reason why we demand the freezing of the leveling off process and immediate start of the studies of impact which should have been carried out prior to a hasty decision, and up to this day, unjustified.