Concessions renewal on the franco-swiss river “Doubs” : NGOs want to be consulted !

The concessions of the three hydropower works on the Franco-Swiss Doubs (Le Châtelot, Le Chrain and La Goule) are soon reaching their end (2024, 2028, 2032 respectively).
The renewal of concessions for these works will be granted by the two states on the basis of the new Franco-Swiss agreement currently under negotiation.The French and Swiss environmental and fishing associations are already heavily involved in the environmental monitoring committee of the new water regulation (signed in 2017) which reinforces the principle of coordinating the management of the three concessions in force. Since the Doubs is a watercourse with a very high protection status, it is essential that civil society, through NGOs, is from the beginning associated with the definition of framework conditions for the renewal of concessions.For this reason, several NGOs (FNE, ERN, CPE, FNPF, ANPER-TOS) sent a letter in early June to the French Ministry of the Environment asking for the creation of a support group for negotiations and, of course, the integration of NGOs in this group. A similar letter was sent by Swiss NGOs to the Swiss government.Photo Copyright ERN France: Cascade du Saut du Doubs (classified site) on the French-Swiss border