In France, the SEA HSL reaches its environmental compensation goals
Operated by VINCI Concessions since 2011, the South Europe Atlantic high-speed line (SEA HSL), has officially completed the implementation of the compensatory measures set.
From its design and construction, this major rail infrastructure project was part of the “Avoid, Reduce, Compensate” (ERC) regulatory sequence. VINCI Concessions and LISEA have thus committed to a major environmental compensation programme in the land crossed by the SEA high-speed line, in particular the protection of 223 species or the implementation of 3,800 ha of environmental and forestry compensation measures along the line. A long-term programme, drawn up in direct collaboration with all the local players concerned: naturalist associations, scientists, Conservatories of Natural Areas, Chambers of Agriculture, Fishing Federations, Regional Forest Property Centres, Prom’haies, local forestry company agencies, State services, Region, etc.
Thus, LISEA creates, restores and manages natural sites with 3 main challenges: location as close as possible to the impact, integration into existing ecological networks, pooling of protected species on the same site.
These measures are now fully validated by the French State services in charge of these regulations, in the six department and two regions crossed by the SEA HSL. They will be monitored over the long term by LISEA, until the end of the concession contract in 2061. Led by the SEA HSL’s Environmental Observatory, the monitoring and conclusions are shared with the State services and stakeholders concerned. The reports are published on the LISEA website.
“This milestone marks the achievement and success of a collective work. From now on, one of LISEA’s priority challenges is to ensure the management of the sites of compensatory measures and the sustainability of the actions implemented. We will continue to work with all our partners in line with our approach of consultation and proximity”, explains Hervé Le Caignec, President of LISEA.
As a partner to the territories, VINCI Concessions is committed to sustainable development and solidarity over the long term. This achievement of environmental offset objectives on one of the largest transport infrastructure projects in Europe is a concrete illustration of this.
