what missions for the NEC (New Area of ​​Cher)?

Created in 2018 under the impetus of 4 intermunicipalities (the Metropolis of Tours and the three communities of municipalities of Bléré-Val de Cher, Touraine-Est-Vallées, Vouvray-Montlouis and Val de Cher-Controis (Loir-et-Cher) ), the New Cher space (NEC) succeeded the Syndicat du Cher canalisé. The competence GEMAPI (GEstion of Aquatic Environments and Prevention of Floods) is also involved in its creation but the NEC only ensures the “GEMA” part (GEstion of Aquatic Environments), it is responsible for ecological continuity on the Cher and its tributaries. Jacques Paoletti, President of the NEC, explains to us what the missions of this structure based in Bléré consist of, in particular through the work that has been carried out on the Cher in Savonnières: a bypass river which notably allows sediments to pass (avoiding an accumulation) and migratory fish to continue to circulate despite the dam because without this type of development, few individuals manage to cross it, which compromises their survival, several species being moreover in danger of extinction like the shads or the eels. A corridor has been set up to also allow the passage of boats.
The big challenge of the Nec is truly to succeed in satisfying all the actors in the life of the Cher. Indeed, it is not easy to satisfy both fishermen and tourist operators and people sensitive to the good health of the environment, in short, to reconcile economy and ecology.
Among the skills of the NEC is also the management of about fifteen dams, the maintenance of the 160 km of banks as well as the management of the lock houses.