Ecological Restoration of Oudar and Grand Journans Rivers in Ain

The Pays de Gex Agglomeration Community requests a derogation to protect 46 animal species during restoration work.

Aerial view of the restored Oudar and Grand Journans rivers in the Ain department.
AI

Aerial view of the restored Oudar and Grand Journans rivers in the Ain department.

As part of an ecological restoration project, the Pays de Gex Agglomeration Community (CAPG) has applied for a derogation to protect 46 animal species in the communes of Gex, Cessy, and Chevry.

The morpho-ecological restoration project for the Oudar and Grand Journans rivers, led by the Pays de Gex Agglomeration Community (CAPG), requires intervention on the waterways and their associated environments. To this end, CAPG has submitted a request for a derogation from the provisions of Article L.411-1 of the Environmental Code.
This derogation aims to authorize actions such as the capture or removal, destruction, and intentional disturbance of protected animal species, as well as the destruction, alteration, or degradation of their breeding sites or resting areas. A total of 46 species are concerned by this request: 21 bird species, 6 herpetofauna species, 18 mammal species, and 1 fish species.
The main objective of this project is to address the current morpho-ecological dysfunctions observed on the Oudar and Grand Journans. It aims to restore the hydromorphological and ecological functions of these rivers and their surrounding ecosystems, within the communes of Gex, Cessy, and Chevry.
A public consultation is currently open regarding this request. It is accessible to citizens from October 1st to October 16th, 2026, inclusive.
Based on information from the official source: DREAL Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (01/10/2026)