« Ouvrir les bras pour qu’on soit bien dans son lit »

Abstract

Since 2000 and the adoption of the Water Framework Directive, a good ecological status of rivers has become a key objective for their managers. However, river restoration projects may lead to strong modification of local uses, landscapes, rights and practices. When implemented, their social reception is a key issue. Locally, it reveals local uses and practices, but also the riparian inhabitants’ social representations of their river.This article is based on a case study located on the downstream Loire (the weirs of Ingrandes-Le Fresne). It focuses on several controverses that appeared between stakeholders while the project was defined and implemented. We point out the consequences of those controverses on the project. Eventually, this case study enables us to raise questions about ecological restoration projects and the way they are implemented in France.

Keywords

• ecological restoration
• downstream Loire
• hydraulic works
• environmental public policies
• controverses