Brussels, 20/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The project to build a dam at Sivens (Tarn, France) has provoked violent clashes and the death of an environmental activist on 26 October. It may also become the subject of an infringement procedure under EU environmental law, according to a European source on Wednesday 19 November.
An investigation is currently being carried out at the European Commission in an attempt to decide whether this project has respected EU rules, particularly with regard to the framework directive on water that stipulates protection for humid zones and the “Habitats” directive. Speaking at the European Parliament, José Bové (Greens/EFA, France) immediately welcomed this news and informed the French authorities “the work of the environmentalists has paid off. The government must cancel this illegal and illegitimate project before it receives formal notice from the Commission”.
A collective of people opposing the project filed a complaint at the Commission services. If the investigation proves that there is a case, the Commission could possibly launch infringement procedures. It would then send the French authorities a warning letter (first stage of the proceedings), which would also call on them to explain themselves within a two-month period with regard to the possible infringements committed. A decision would then be taken during the next meeting of the College of Commissioners on 26 November at the earliest. (AN)