Then, between the summer of 2020 and the summer of 2021, the Pointe Defense Association (ADPCF), which finances the maintenance of the dike, took the sand that was accumulating to redistribute it over 250 meters further to the west, beyond the property of Benoît Bartherotte, on the lands of the Conservatoire du Littoral. More than 110,000 m³ of sand have thus been brought up and if 43,000 m³ left in the water with the winter storms, the balance is positive with 68,909 m³ of sand in the area between August 2020 and August 2021. According to Parallèle 45, between November 2018 and August 2021, the beach advanced by 60 to 90 meters.
The softening of the roundhead captures sand which must then be redistributed on the beach, further west, beyond Benoit Bartherotte’s property.
David Patsouris
private money
All for about 300,000 euros and an annual maintenance cost of 80,000 to 100,000 euros. Far from the massive sand reloading plan announced in 2019 by the Syndicat intercommunal du bassin d’Arcachon (Siba) of 14 million euros over ten years, with sand taken elsewhere and unloaded by truck at La Pointe.
“It’s a simple method that costs infinitely less than what Siba had proposed. We are at 2 or 3 euros per cubic meter. »
Is this the solution? In any case, it is the one that is emerging. The ADPCF has just been reinforced by a major ally: the association of owners of the 44 hectares of Cap Ferret, which has 230 members. In a video published a few days ago, Jean-Lionel Clamadieu, the president of the association, formalizes a partnership with Benoît Bartherotte on the Pointe beach.
“Benoît informed me of the need to perpetuate the experiment he carried out with the sand from his pierhead, says Jean-Lionel Clamadieu, and therefore to find more private funding for this purpose. I said yes. »
“It’s a gentle management of erosion, a simple method that costs much less than what Siba had proposed. »
Jean-Lionel Clamadieu is now convinced: “The pierhead captures sand which can re-silt up the Point. The usefulness of the book is obvious. It is a gentle management of erosion, a simple method that costs much less than what Siba had proposed. The owners have to finance the defense against the sea. They do. But by protecting their property, they also protect all the owners of the 44. The latter could, rather than involving the inhabitants of the bottom or the south of the Basin, finance this maintenance. »
The owners’ association board voted unanimously for the partnership. The Bartherotte family already funds the defense association of La Pointe which maintains the dyke. Private donors, who sometimes do not live in La Pointe or even Cap Ferret, also abound (126,000 euros in 2020). Today is about moving up a gear.
The rounded sandy beach of Pointe du Cap Ferret at the end of 2021.
Claude Petit/SOUTH WEST
The city applauds
Gabriel Marly, town planning assistant at Lège-Cap-Ferret, supports the two associations on behalf of the town: “What Benoît Bartherotte did in 2020 and 2021, with everyone’s blessing, is the most environmentally friendly solution. And she doesn’t bother anyone. It is clean sand, that of the littoral drift. The city, the Siba, the State observe this experience with attention. According to the readings of the Siba, to the right of the pierhead a sand plateau is recomposed. But you have to keep it all going. Anyway, Gabriel Mary applauded. Moreover, the city, in 2021 and 2022 granted a subsidy of 23,000 euros to the ADPCF. And benoît Bartherotte ensures that the beach has further advanced into the sea during this rather mild winter.
“To maintain what has been done at La Pointe, you need the agreement of Siba, the city, the Marine Nature Park, the Conservatory, the State. »
But things aren’t that simple. Authorizations are needed to deposit this sand beyond the property of Benoît Bartherotte. “It’s the only thing missing,” says Gabriel Marly. A temporary authorization of occupation (AOT) of the retroactive maritime public domain has been granted for the sand reloading operated, but to maintain what has been done, the agreement of Siba, the city, the Marine Nature Park, of the Conservatory, of the State. Asked, Ronan Leaustic, the sub-prefect of Arcachon, has, for the moment, no particular comment to make on the subject. But it will come…