In the past, some of these works have already been undertaken, sometimes urgently. The next ones will start in the first week of August 2009 for the Carros and Broc dikes. The MIN dike, another strategic area, will be reinforced in October.
Eric Ciotti, President of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, speaks of a progress that will be of general interest, since areas still non-buildable will be able to develop economically once the necessary work is done.
“There is a need to act quickly,” declares Ciotti. PAPI will be one of the main priorities of the General Council in 2009 and in the coming years.
The highlight of these security operations is the protection of people. Everyone remembers the tragedy of November 5, 1994, a historic flood in the department that caused significant damage, particularly in Nice Airport and the California neighborhood.
The cost of this agreement totals 23 million euros, with 5 million euros provided by the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, and 9.5 million euros by the State. The PACA Region will also fund the project with about 2.8 million euros. The concerned municipalities and local authorities are also participating.
The risk of overflowing from the Var River is one of the main issues hindering the realization of the Eco-valley project, a French National Interest Operation (OIN) dedicated to sustainable development in the Var Plain.
The Var is a “powerful and impetuous” river, according to Francis Lamy, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes. For once, it seems, man will manage to direct nature and prevent the river from overflowing and flooding the city of Nice and its surroundings.
