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Environment and heritage
 What information do you have on the history of the inland navigation network in France ?
VNF’s documentation centre is more focused on current activities and the outlook for river transport. VNF has nonetheless published a map of France’s cultural heritage and has jointly published several documents on this subject. ( "documentation" section).
There is a very comprehensive research and documentation centre on the inland navigation network at the musée national de la batellerie in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine. Contact Mr Roblin (tel: +331.39.72.58.05.)
Qui gère les plantations et l'entretien des espaces verts ?
L'entretien des espaces verts situés sur le domaine public fluvial géré par VNF incombe à l'établissement. Il est généralement réalisé en régie par les services de l'Etat mis à sa disposition. Il est également fait appel à la sous-traitance pour des travaux plus spécifiques tel que l'abattage d'arbres. Dans le cadre d'une superposition de gestion, les voies vertes aménagées avec les collectivités locales sont entretenues par celles-ci : ce sont des chemins ouverts au public, avec des équipements et plantations situés de part et d'autre du chemin de service. Circulation et stationnement font l'objet d'arrêtés, conformément aux pouvoirs de police du maire.
What actions does VNF carry out in periods of drought?
VNF 's first duty is to respect the reserved streamflow of rivers. This year, the drought affected more than 55 départements. The navigation services introduced economy measures for the various reservoirs, ponds and dams making up the summer reserve. Starting in May, pleasure craft were grouped together in order to pass through locks. The authority subsequently introduced embayment reductions that made it possible, in spite of a severe water shortage, to maintain navigation as long as possible in the most critical sectors. On the practical side, the navigating schedules were limited, and the water level lowered by 20 cm, at the price of reduced barge cargoes. All information was transmitted daily by agents to the préfets to enable them to take decisions on the various uses for water: drinking water for people and livestock, navigation, irrigation, fish farming activities and the maintenance of biotopes.
What are the functions of fluvial dams?
To regulate seasonal variations in flow, two major types of dam are constructed on rivers: navigation dams and reservoir dams. The purpose of "streamflow" dams that block off rivers and are coupled with locks is to maintain the water level in order to guarantee the draught of boats. Large reserves of water are thus created, which also feed the phreatic table, constitute water sheets for leisure activities, provide drinking and industrial water intake, and so on. In addition, the fall of water reoxygenates the river, which is vital for wildlife when storms cause large flows of polluted water.
Reservoir dams, formed by huge basins enclosed in dykes, have been built to feed the canals that pass from one basin slope to another, like the Canal de Briare. Some of these constructions, which often provide an exceptional environment, have been classified as part of the Natura 2000 zone.
Does VNF play a part in flood management?
Navigation constructions are designed precisely to ensure navigation, not to siphon off the surplus in times of flood. However, during relatively minor flooding, VNF can gain several days before submersion becomes a danger by lowering the water level in a preventive manner using navigation dams, and can improve the situation somewhat through finely-tuned management of the water line. In times of severe flooding, these dams are effaced (lying at the bottom of the water) and the river thus returns to its natural state. Reservoir dams, on the other hand, can be useful even in times of heavy autumnal flooding, but not during the spring, when they have filled up with water for the summer.
In addition, the VNF agents work in daily partnership with the DIRENs (regional departments of the environment) by reading the water levels and transmitting them to the flood warning services.
As regards prevention, the departments working for VNF participate on behalf of the Ministry for Ecology and Sustainable Development in policing the water, and issue recommendations for setting up flood risk protection plans.
As part of France's international commitments, VNF has built the polder of Erstein (Bas-Rhin), a holding reserve of 540 hectares that can contain up to 7.8 million m3 of water from the Rhine. Together with the Moder polder, operational since 1991, it helps to regulate flooding in the Rhine.
What actions does VNF carry out to conserve biodiversity?
In contrast with other transport infrastructures, waterways and their banks are natural environments in their own right, and are inhabited by a remarkable variety of species. However, in the long term, certain developments risk aggravating the danger to vulnerable species. For some years now, in application of water legislation, VNF has been introducing passages for fish with pool systems, fish ladders, fish locks, elevators and artificial channels to enable migrating fish to get past the dams. To preserve the landscape, the authority has developed vegetable engineering techniques for protecting the banks. Here the use of coconut fibres makes it possible to maintain the bank for the time it takes for the roots of indigenous plants and bushes to form a framework for constructions.
VNF also works on the preservation of associated aquatic environments and ecosystems by helping to compile documentation on the objectives of Natura 2000 network sites. VNF is gradually setting up management schemes for the banks and surrounding terrain of big reservoir dams in partnership with local authorities, as for example with the reservoir basin at Champagney (Haute-Saône) and the Stock basin (Moselle).
What techniques are used to protect wildlife?
Each year, VNF sets up passages for wildlife on its domain to limit the number of animals being drowned.
Openings are made in the manmade bank protection, under the normal level of the water, to introduce support points that give animals a foothold so that they can reach the top of the bank. There are also arrangements known as "biological corridors" designed for guiding mammals, particularly beavers, towards natural paths, thus avoiding their having to cross the road. In the future, passes recreating a real natural habitat between the two banks will make it possible for all forms of wildlife to circulate, from deer down to ants.
What solutions does VNF provide for fishing requirements?
The principal demand from fishers is unfortunately to be able to have access to the banks…by car.
Now it is vital to preserve the peace and quiet of the paths. For safety reasons, towpaths are only authorised for pedestrians and service vehicles. But the recent extension of cycle tracks has now raised yet another conflict of interest. Within the framework of a partnership signed with the UNPF (national union of fishing in France), VNF is now offering two types of solution to be set up with local authorities. The first consists of spreading users out in the space available according to needs and the actual locations - for example, the fishing course at Mably (near Roanne).
The second is to share the same space, provided that all partners ensure that the rules of good conduct are respected. This is regulated by a superimposed management system giving local authorities the responsibility for maintaining and policing the network.
In November 2003, VNF renewed its partnership with the UNPF to develop leisure fishing in the public fluvial domain, and to undertake joint promotional actions (organising fishing competitions, welcoming handicapped people, producing informative and educational signage, etc.)
Who manages plantations and the maintenance of greenspaces?
The maintenance of greenspaces located in the public fluvial domain managed by VNF is the responsibility of the authority itself. It is generally undertaken under the control of the State departments made available for this purpose. Outsourcing is also used for more specific work such as tree cutting. In the case of superimposed management,
the greenways developed by the local authorities are maintained by the latter. Greenways are paths open to the public, with facilities and plantations located on either side of the service route. Circulation and parking are regulated by order, in compliance with the remit of the town council police.
How are heritage-enhancing actions financed?
Actions in favour of the heritage are often carried out in partnership with the local authorities, particularly through "city" and "country" contracts. These initiatives generally go hand in hand with the requalification of urban neighbourhoods or dynamic projects for rural territories. The authority also invests in its construction heritage, notably lock houses. When they are not longer serviceable, these can be converted or developed with public or private partners.
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