French Court Declares Four Agricultural Water Reserves Illegal Over Threat to Protected Bird

The decision suspends construction and filling of the reservoirs, citing the endangered habitat of the outarde canepetière, while allowing limited use of existing water at Sainte-Soline.

The Bordeaux administrative court ruled that four water reservoirs, including the operational Sainte-Soline site, are illegal due to their impact on the habitat of the endangered outarde canepetière bird.
The court found the projects lacked the required 'species protection' exemptions, halting further construction and filling until such exemptions are obtained.
Water already stored in the Sainte-Soline reservoir may be used by farmers this summer, but no additional filling or modifications are permitted.
The ruling supports environmental groups' claims about biodiversity risks but rejects accusations that the reservoirs mismanage water resources.
Twelve other reservoirs in the broader project were upheld by the court, while discussions on regulatory adjustments for the suspended sites are expected to extend into the next year.