The coastline and the sea are major assets for our communities, both from a heritage perspective and in terms of quality of life and the local economy. It is this coastline that defines the uniqueness and charm of the Côte d’Azur: a dynamic place where it is pleasant to live, work or vacation. However, environmental protection is not just about preserving our living environment, it is also a vital issue for our future.
This is why the development of this Bay Contract project is crucial. Emerging from a strong and shared will, the creation of the Bay Contract required significant mobilization of the twelve municipalities involved, as well as all local, departmental, and regional stakeholders, with the aim of enhancing the coastline and its hinterland while preserving our environment.
The Bay Contract dossier received its approval at the end of 2012, and the signing of the Contract is the final step needed to implement the selected projects as quickly as possible.
The Bay Contract area covers 12 municipalities:
5 on the coast: Théoule-sur-Mer, Mandelieu-la-Napoule, Cannes, Vallauris-Golfe Juan, and Antibes-Juan les Pins*.
7 from the downstream part of the Siagne watershed: Grasse, Auribeau-sur-Siagne, La Roquette-sur-Siagne, Mouans-Sartoux, Pégomas, Mougins, and Le Cannet.
This perimeter allows for addressing the main issues of the gulfs and the associated watershed areas that might generate the most significant pollution flows.
With this signing, the 29 project leaders will commit to the State to carry out the 133 actions listed in the Contract, and financial and technical partners (General Council, Regional Council, Water Agency) will commit to providing financial support for these actions.
A Bay Contract is an intervention tool at the watershed scale. It is an operational tool for integrated and rational management of resources and the uses of the natural and marine environment.
It consists of a program of actions over 5 years. Each action is led by a project leader (local authority, associative, or socio-professional) and can be funded by institutional partners.
This approach particularly ensures the coordination of actions carried out on a territory, with the aim of preserving and restoring environments while maintaining and developing human activities.
A Bay Contract is also the local extension of global management measures from national and European policies (basin policies, European Water Framework Directive, and Marine Strategy Framework Directive).
Led by a Bay Committee, the approach is conducted in close technical collaboration with state services, the Rhône-Mediterranean and Corsican Water Agency, the Regional Environment, Development, and Housing Directorate (DREAL), the Inter-Service Water Mission (MISE 06), the Alpes-Maritimes General Council, and the PACA Regional Council.
All marine environment actors have been involved in developing this approach with a focus on consultation.
The President of the Bay Committee, the consultation and steering body, and its operational body SIGLE is Mr. Alain Gumiel, Mayor of Vallauris.
The actions must meet the following objectives defined by the Bay Committee: to have a quality sea and preserve the natural wealth of the marine environment, preserve natural and human environments without hindering economic development.
The actions should predominantly enable the preservation and improvement of the marine environment, waterways, and natural habitats in the watershed municipalities.
