Chapter One

Environmental Pioneers

emergence and institutionalisation of a policy to safeguard Lake Annecy, 1945 - 1970

Cécile Pietu 2003 - 2004, Diplôme d'études approfondies Politiques Publiques et Gouvernements Comparés

Conclusion of thesis (cont.)

1.6   "Setting up SILA was a political action of unprecedented magnitude, entirely designed and implemented in Annecy, at a time when national politics  paid little attention to those concerns later grouped under the term “environmental issues”.   It was the result of the will of local citizens and their financial commitment, since they were engaged in raising loans that future generations will have to repay.  It was also the result of the determination of elected officials attached to state administrative bodies such as the Bridges & Highways department, which falls under the control of the prefecture.

1.7   Was Annecy the first ever example of an environment policy in France?

1.8   This was in any case how the safeguarding of the lake was perceived by the Minister of the Environment and Quality of Life Robert Poujade, during his visit to Annecy in July 1971, just three months after taking office and six months after the establishment of his ministry.

1.9   We can see this visit in two ways.  On the one hand, by his visit the minister was supporting the local political establishment in Annecy.  On the other hand  the successful efforts of the city of Annecy were being used to justify the new direction taken by the government on the environment. Nevertheless, the connection between local issues and national policy was finally realised. In a "hybrid" policy, combining not only hygiene issues and infrastructure management, but also  the protection of natural resources, we arrive at the first real recognition at a national level of environmental issues.

1.10   Was concern for the environment the exclusive preserve of public authorities at the time? The example of Annecy would tend to prove otherwise, or at least to be an exception to the rule, since it was actually more than twenty years in advance of official government policy. And it was at a very local level that the town of Annecy demonstrated innovative thinking, covering a number of issues to do with the relationship between man and nature, how best to manage this natural heritage, not just to preserve it but to understand its economic potential.

1.11   This leads to further considerations. It raises questions about the role of Annecy’s example in the momentum of the early 1970s around the preservation of alpine lakes. For in the light of Lake Annecy other rescue campaigns were launched, particularly at Lake Bourget, the big brother in Savoy of Lake Annecy, and also with the resurrection of Lake Nantua, considered in the early 1960s to be completely eutrophic, and in an advanced state of dying. These studies were part of a more general consideration of mountain lakes, evidence of which was the creation within the Ministry of Environment of a technical committee on mountain lakes. It would be interesting to understand the role of Annecy in bringing about this more general government policy."

Conclusion of thesis (cont.)

1.12   "Secondly, it would be interesting to carry out a more comprehensive study on the development of environmental issues at a global level, namely the creation of specific ministries of the environment and the institutionalization of this social problem.

1.13    As Annecy is an example of an environmental policy being implemented at a very local political level, it would be interesting to find out whether there are other examples of this kind, not necessarily specifically in relation to lakes but generally in the same area, which would support the idea that concern for the environment has also arisen “bottom-up”. In short are environmental concerns a product of governmental policies or has local action driven a national dynamic?  The example of Annecy alone does not enable us to answer this question because it may very well be an exception to the rule, including its contribution to the advancement of thinking in this area.

1.14   We cannot conclude without saying a few words about the current situation.  SILA, Syndicate of Lake Annecy, now includes all neighbouring districts in the watershed of the lake. The syndicate is now an essential institution for everything related to Lake Annecy.

1.15   Its statutory role to carry out multiple objectives made it the only competent authority in many areas. From a biological point of view, the phenomenon of eutrophication has not only been stopped but reversed, leading to the recovery of the lake's formerly healthy state. The ultimate goal of the great enterprise to save the lake has been achieved. The people, who, as we have seen have contributed greatly to this effort, can now see every day the lake water flowing from their taps.

1.16   In the 1990s, work was also  undertaken to upgrade the drinking water system and that of the wastewater treatment station which had by then been operating for forty years. What, finally, about the other original aim of the project, namely the protection of economic and tourist interests? We can say without risk of error, that Lake Annecy and its basin remain a very attractive resort area. The lake’s reputation for pure water has made its way throughout metropolitan France. And it is no coincidence that year after year, Annecy is ranked among those cities in France with the highest quality of life."

Continue Reading   Chapter Two