The Fédération environnement durable (FED) Federation, which is in fierce opposition to the idea of constructing industrial-type wind turbines, is demanding that the state submit details of the project for a wind turbine park in the Arguj commune in the Manche region of Lower Normandy, near the famous medieval complex. In its struggle, the federation relies on the decision of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, adopted in August last year. International officials are demanding that the French government, by February 1, 2011, provide details of the expertise it carried out, on the basis of which it was determined that the impact of the new structures on the natural “context” of Mont Saint Michel would be minimal.
Both UNESCO officials and the national anti-wind “Fronda” believe that the new park of three 100-meter windmills will irreparably damage the beautiful landscape that serves as the basis for the island. So far, the state and the Manche department, which approved the park's project in 2007, have been slow to respond to criticism. At the same time, the neighboring department of Ile et Vilaine (Brittany region), whose coast is also close to Mont Saint-Michel, rejected as many as three applications for the construction of wind turbines there on the grounds that they would be visible from the island.
The main addressees of the criticism, the Syndicat des énergies renouvelables and its "wind" subsidiary France Energie Eolienne, defended their project in Arguzh: according to them, it will be implemented at 19, not 15 km from Mont Saint- Michel, according to UNESCO representatives; three windmills will be lined up along the highway and none of them will be visible from the island. They also emphasize that their plan was approved by more than 20 state inspection institutions, and, in general, it is strange to wait for pitfalls from a project implemented in such a "prominent" place, under the scrutiny of society and the state. This is probably a valid argument for France.
N. F.
