Letourneur Conseil > Wetland

Defining and regulating wetlands:


On February 2, 1971, the Ramsar Convention (an international treaty) was adopted to conserve wetlands. In 2018, 170 countries have signed up to the convention, including France, which has been a signatory since 1971. In its Water Act of January 3, 1992, France defines wetlands as follows:

"Wetlands are defined as areas of land, whether or not they are exploited, which are usually permanently or temporarily flooded or waterlogged by fresh, salt or brackish water; where vegetation exists, it is dominated by hygrophilous plants for at least part of the year".

As a wetland is a protected area, it is necessary to carry out some research during the project phase to ensure that it does not exist at the study site, or to provide solutions if it is confirmed.

Identifying wetlands

There are two steps to take:

Firstly, carry out bibliographical research by consulting available data (cartography, listings in certain departments);
Secondly, to carry out field investigations by studying biodiversity (flora) and by studying the soil surface horizon between the surface and 1.2 m depth.


Conclusion:

If the area impacted by the project does not contain a wetland, no action is required. If a wetland is confirmed in the area of the project, a water law dossier must be drawn up and action taken:

Avoidance: change the project in order to maintain the entire wetland;
Reduction: implement measures to minimize the impact on the wetland;
Compensation: implement compensatory measures if the wetland cannot be maintained.


To support project owners in sizing the measures to be implemented (avoidance, reduction or compensation), a guide was drafted in 2016 by ONEMA, accompanied by a tool presented in the form of an Excel spreadsheet.