The inhabitants of Claira and Saint-Hippolyte (Pyrénées-Orientales) as well as neighboring municipalities have until November 12 to express themselves within the framework of a public inquiry to extend the activity of a landfill devoted to asbestos products. .
This is the site of El Fourat, a former quarry where more than 14,000 tonnes of asbestos waste have already been buried.
"All the parameters are controlled and regulatory"
“For us, this means welcoming 44,000 tonnes over the next twenty years, ie 2,000 tonnes per year with an increase of 50 tonnes each year.
We entrusted scientists at the BRGM (Bureau of Geological and Mining Research) with the analysis of the risk associated with this continuation of activity.
All the parameters are controlled and regulatory, ”said Jean-Marc Dasse, CEO of El Fourat environnement, the company which manages the landfill site in the commune of Claira, near the village of Saint-Hippolyte.
"A densely populated area in danger"
The members of the Saint-Hippolyte-Claira Environnement association do not share the same certainties as the industrial landfill.
“To continue the burying of asbestos products under the announced conditions is to put the entire densely populated area with tourist resorts and above all very windy in danger, which can generate significant dust.
We are expecting an unfavorable opinion from this public inquiry, ”indicates Dr. Franck Bardeau, general practitioner and president of the association.
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Critics of the landfill highlight the danger it represents for the water tables which supply drinking water to the localities in the sector.
"The quaternary water table in particular provides most of the agricultural water and private boreholes with a serious risk of contamination of fruits and grapes", continues Edmond Harlé, secretary of the association.
The El Fourat landfill is offering a site visit this Saturday, October 16 as part of the public inquiry.
The investigating commissioner will deliver his opinion by the end of the year and the Prefect of Pyrénées-Orientales will then make the decision.
