On behalf of the French Government, Mr. Xavier Sticker, Ambassador for the Environment, signed on 4 September 2014, an agreement with the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP) on the coastal zone management of the department of Var.
With this agreement, the Var becomes the first French department of the Mediterranean coast to lay the foundation for a fully integrated coastal zone management program, with the close coordination of all stakeholders: the government departmental services, local authorities, and in particular the General Council, the Conservatoire du Littoral, the Regional Water Agency, the regional environmental Agency, IFREMER, the National Park of Port-Cros as well as the UNEP/MAP, which will provide assistance.
The agreement signed with UNEP/MAP will be implemented over the period 2014-2017. A budget of 825,000 Euros is allocated to particularly finance studies and concretely prepare the management and enhancement of Manteau port (La Seyne sur Mer), the development of ecological moorings for sailing in the Bay of Pampelonne (Ramatuelle) and the relocation of activities in the coastal plain of Ceinturon (Hyères), confronted with coastal risks.
A "sea and coastline" unit was set up in Var with the participation of public and private stakeholders to plan all these concrete projects. This will contribute to create a better access to the sea for all, along our coastline, through better coordination of the seaside and maritime activities. This will also entail taking into account all users of the sea in accordance with sustainable development. It will also imply better management of the port areas and their hinterland, averting pollution risks, anticipating pressure impact of any kind faced by our coastline and adapting our territorial strategies accordingly.
