Sarkozy back in Vendee

[Rochej]

The Head of State (Sarkozy) will present a speech today (16 March), after a visit in the Charente-Maritime, about the programme for the sea defences and the future of the municipalities affected.

He promised to take stock before the summer. Nicolas Sarkozy is back today at the scene of the disatser, between the two rounds of regional elections. He will be accompanied by four ministers: Jean-Louis Borloo (Ecology), Brice Hortefeux (Interior), Bruno Le Maire (Agriculture), Dominique Bussereau (Transport) and Secretary of State for Ecology, Chantal Jouanno.

All will be received at the Prefecture of La Rochelle, then onto Charron, the main disaster commune inCharente-Maritime. Then onto the Vendee for a meeting with oyster farmer Bouin. At the General Council of Vendée, Nicolas Sarkozy will thank all those who rallied to help victims, but also address the sea defence plans and urbanization of coastal areas.

The floods caused by Xynthia has reignited the debate on the status and effectiveness of dams. There are about 8 000 km of dams in France for most of the XIX th century. For one third of them their condition is poor.

Since 2007, all dams over a meter tall (about 5 600 km) should be maintained and "reviewed every ten years." This is what the Department of Ecology has been asked to verify.

Should we construct as in La Faute-sur-Mer, Philippe de Villiers, President of the General Council, has challenged developers who "have concreted the coast, hoping that the affected areas" will never again be inhabited ".

Will residents be able to return to live with them? The issue is currently undecided. 329 homes were deemed uninhabitable in La Faute, 209 in L'Aiguillon and 25 in La Tranche. In France, one town in three is affected, to varying degrees, with a risk of flooding. 100 000 homes have been built in flood plains, between 1999 and 2006.

After the disaster of Vaison-la-Romaine, in 1992, plans for prevention of flood risks (IRPP) was established under the supervision of state services. Their geographical coverage and level of demand varies, but areas classified in the red zone, are not to ne built on. La Faute-sur-Mer is not yet classified. In 2009, the council asked the prefect to suspend the investigation on its new plan.

[Rochej]

During his visit to the Vendée, Sarkozy announced key measures for victims of the storm Xynthia. "The damage is considerable. One thousand houses were affected in Vendee, 767 people were evacuated. 192 farms were flooded. The oyster profession has paid a heavy price. "

President Sarkozy stated: "The catastrophe of 28 February was not only the product of climatic events. It is also the result of a series of contentious decisions or contrary to common sense, neglect, non-conformities, expertise neglected. "But for now, the priority is national solidarity. The time is to provide compensation to the victims and repair the damage. "

The State has announced a series of measures, beyond the recognition of the state of natural disaster,agreed on March 2. "Already, losses of less than 2 000 € will be compensated without expertise in the fastest time, less than a month. I want to assure my determination to get insurance companies to work with speed and optimum efficiency. "Nicolas Sarkozy urges banks to facilitate the staggering of maturities of mortgages" so that victims do not face additional difficulties cash. "

Companies affected by the storm have also supported by Gérard Rameix, National Ombudsman of credit. "Exceptionally, people who lost their homes in areas most affected can ask the local representative of the Ombudsman of credit, Yann Boaretto,''the insurance man', for help in case of any difficulties with their banks. "

For individuals, the President announced that "the contributions of 2010 for residence tax and property tax on developed properties will be reimbursed in full, upon request by the taxpayer, where buildings have been destroyed or have suffered such damage, until expertise, they are doomed to demolition. "

A final word about the temporary relocation of victims Xynthia: Sarkozy said that "the grouping of mutual insurance companies agreed to fund the temporary relocation during six months of evacuees. "

[Rochej]

http://www.vendee.fr/videos/190/nicolas ... s-2010.htm