Since the creation decree of March 7, 2008, the Operation of National Interest (OIN) launched by Christian Estrosi, then Secretary of State for Land Planning, has been progressing, according to Jacques Molinari, in the greatest opacity.
Yet, even before the creation of the Public Land Development Agency (EPA), tasked by the State with overseeing the operation, the major lines of the project were presented as early as March 19, 2008, by the local Nice press. The project was supposed to receive funding of 2.5 billion euros, covering 10,000 hectares of the lower Var Valley and its slopes, extending over about fifteen kilometers, from the confluence with the Estéron to the mouth of the Var. The ambitions of the project included—not only addressing the existing chaotic development and enhancing agricultural and natural areas—but also creating 50,000 jobs, accommodating 100,000 to 150,000 inhabitants, and enabling, besides the development of commercial activities and businesses, the establishment of national and international conglomerates, as well as university research centers and the associated infrastructural amenities.
Faced with the scale and grandiosity of such a project, numerous local, regional, and even national associations came together to appeal to the National Commission for Public Debate, so that a genuine public debate could be initiated around this project pompously labeled “Eco-Valley Var Plain.”
Over the years, the change in government resulted only in adding a Permanent Consultation Committee (CPC), established in July 2013, to the Public Land Development Agency (EPA) tasked by the State with overseeing the operation. This committee comprised 40 members divided into 5 groups, including 16 union and association representatives.
After one year of existence, this CPC, whose numbers quickly dwindled, serves little more than a “showpiece” for an operation continuing discreetly, especially since, following the footsteps and model of the pseudo-consultations that preceded it, the Authorities decided to entrust a consultancy with the task of configuring, leading, shaping, and crafting the conclusions to validate projects for which the EPA has neither listed nor assessed the impacts, disregarding the State’s instructions.
This approach was thwarted from the opening of the first “Citizen Workshop” on July 2 in Carros, where the public immediately demanded the public debate, which was unanimously requested in 2010 and reiterated in 2011, yet has not come to fruition.
It was once again thwarted on August 27 in Colomars, where the associations categorically refused to participate in the second “Citizen Workshop,” referring to the priority demands developed jointly with the members of the Inter-College Working Group (GTIC) that brings together six unions and associations [UD CFDT 06 – UD CGT 06 – FNE 06 – GADSECA – GIR Maralpin – Green Region] who are members of the CPC.
In the face of such clear and firm positions, we regret even more the deaf ear of the Prefect to the offer of the President of the CNDP, which was to delegate to this consultation the guarantor who would be the only one able to accredit it and engage reflection on more serene and constructive grounds.
on behalf of the Inter-College Working Group (GTIC) [UD CFDT 06 – UD CGT 06 – FNE 06 – GADSECA – GIR Maralpin – Green Region]
