#TECT2611962AFrance expands protected forest reserve in Espinouse and approves 2024-2043 management plan
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This order converts part of the Espinouse managed biological reserve into a stricter integral biological reserve and expands it to 193.23 hectares across three forest sites in Hérault. The new reserve is meant to let forest ecosystems develop naturally, protect biodiversity, and support scientific knowledge about Haut-Languedoc forest habitats. Forestry operations and most human interventions that could change natural habitats are banned inside the reserve. Limited work remains allowed for safety, boundary maintenance, fire prevention, legal brush clearing, control of ungulate populations through hunting, and removal of non-native species. Public access and vehicle movement are also restricted, so forestry managers, local authorities, hunters, nearby property owners, and visitors will need to follow the 2024-2043 management plan.
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Key Changes
- Part of the Espinouse managed biological reserve is converted into an integral biological reserve and expanded to 193.23 hectares.
- A first management plan for the reserve is approved for 2024-2043.
- Forestry operations, most habitat-altering interventions, public access, and vehicle movement are restricted, with limited exceptions for safety, fire prevention, legal clearing, hunting-based population control, and removal of non-native species.
Obligations
What this law requires
Do not carry out forestry exploitation inside the RBI du Pas de la Lauze, du ruisseau du Vialais et du ravin de Cadiol.
Do not carry out human interventions inside the reserve that are likely to modify the composition, structure, or functioning of natural habitats, except for actions expressly allowed under the reserve management plan.
Manage the covered parts of the Espinouse state forest in accordance with the reserve management plan approved for the 2024-2043 period.
Limit boundary-maintenance work within the reserve to work necessary for maintaining the reserve perimeter and carry it out in accordance with the reserve management plan.
Limit safety works within the reserve to work necessary to secure the RD 180, the Notre Seigne refuge and access path, the marked footpath along the Vialais stream, and properties adjoining the reserve.