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The ski resorts of the Pays des Ecrins from the viewpoint of sustainable development: carrying out an experimental environmental assessment in the resorts of Pelvoux - Vallouise and Puy - Saint - Vincent

Brief description

Established under the terms of the French Act on Urban Solidarity and Renewal (SRU) in 2000, SCOT is an intercommunity planning instrument for sustainable development. The project, which was daringly launched by the Community of Municipalities [Communauté des Communes] in 2003, is exceptional for a rural mountain area and focuses on the complete "space experience" enjoyed by local residents. SCOT ensures the consistency of a global territorial policy and specifies the general guidelines for the Pays des Ecrins; it maintains the balance between zones to be urbanised, natural zones, farming and forestry zones, etc., and, in this particular instance, leisure zones. It is in this context that the determination to carry out an environmental assessment of ski resorts has been expressed.
The prime objective of the environmental assessment is to apply the Alpine Convention and its Tourism Protocol in particular. Based among others on the audit manual of the Pronatura - Proski Foundation (Liechtenstein), the assessment will provide a precise indication of the activities and the impact of the resorts, and draw up a concerted vision of the policies and actions to be undertaken to bring socio-economic activities in line with the preservation of the environment.

Pelvoux-Vallouise
Pays des Ecrins
Pays des Ecrins Pelvoux

Aims

In keeping with the spirit of the Alpine Convention and its Tourism Protocol and to comply with a number of recommendations by the Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEDD), this project aims to lay the foundations for a policy of sustainable development for the resorts. The objectives include:
1. Making elected representatives and managers aware of the impact inherent in any planning scheme or development, and the existence of tools and practices capable of reducing that impact;
2. Incorporating environmental criteria into the resorts' tourism policies. Ultimately this will enable the implementation, follow-up and evaluation of a plan of action;
3. Enhancing the image and approach of the participating resorts through communication with visitors and inhabitants. This will give the resorts an added value in both ecological and economic terms;
4. Permanently establishing and disseminating this innovative approach by broadening the action to other resorts on the area, particularly at Puy Saint Vincent, the largest resort in the canton.

Realization

As part of SCOT the Community of Municipalities has acquired experience in concertation and communication with the population, both resident and tourist. It is the same spirit that prevails with this assessment. It will therefore organise public meetings, a forum on the internet web site, and work sessions with all the partners and volunteers concerned. The work will revolve around the conduct of site studies (fauna, flora, soils, water, landscapes, etc.). A highly detailed analysis of the way in which the resort operates (conformity with regulations, management system, energy consumption, waste management, social ethics, etc.) will be carried out in order to determine the priorities for the measures required. Measures aimed at raising the awareness of the resorts' managers and users will also be conducted. Communication measures (flyers, press releases, etc.) will accompany the project from beginning to end.

Involved

The departments of the environmental sector of the Community of Municipalities of the Pays des Ecrins (waste, improvement and reorganisation, transport, etc.), research department, Ecrins National Park, resort management (SIVU Pelvoux Vallouise), shopkeepers' associations (Vallouise trades and professions), the Mairie of Pelvoux (elected representatives and technical departments), environmental protection association (Friends of the Vallouise)

Projectterm

2007 - 2008

Financing

DYNALP² promotion funds (in euros): 20,000
Own funds and funds from financial backers (in euros): 28,375
Financial backers: Community of Municipalities of the Pays des Ecrins: €9,675; PACA Regional Council: €4,837; DIACT: €4,837; DIREN: €4,837; Hautes Alpes Regional Council: €4,189

Contact person

Communauté de communes pays des écrins
Nicolas Pons
404, av. Charles de Gaulle
FR- 05120 L'Argentière La Bessée
Telephone: +33 4 92 23 20 58
Fax: +33 4 92 23 04 09
E-Mail: info@cc-paysdesecrins.com
Internet: http://www.paysdesecrins.com

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