NEWS

The consultation phase led by the Grand Port Maritime of Bordeaux from April 2 to May 20, 2024, in preparation for aligning the Intercommunal Local Urban Plan of Bordeaux Métropole, has significantly evolved the EMME project. Here are the main changes that have been implemented:

Several additional meetings are being organized prior to the submission of permit and authorization requests to share the results of studies and counter-expert assessments conducted during the summer of 2024 on key issues:

A public forum on Wednesday, September 18, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at L’Art Y Show, focused on hydraulic challenges and water management.
A public forum on Tuesday, September 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at L’Art Y Show, addressing environmental, industrial issues, and the economic and social impacts.
An information meeting for the right bank on Thursday, October 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the auditorium of the Pôle Culturel Evasion in Ambarès-et-Lagrave.

Mr. Erik Loot, an independent third-party guarantor, has been appointed to ensure the quality of exchanges and the accuracy of the information shared.

Finally, the regulatory procedures for reviewing permit and administrative authorization requests include a public inquiry phase, which will further deepen the information and consultation with the concerned populations and local authorities.

What are the project developments?

1. Strengthened flood risk site security

Additional digital simulations have been carried out to account for more impactful scenarios than those prescribed by regulations (1999 storm + 120 cm; removal of all dikes), with a millennial probability of occurrence.

In addition to raising the construction platform to 5.5m to ensure safety in extreme events, the industrial product storage areas are sealed and raised to more than 6m.

1 – 1999 storm event +60 cm at Verdon

2 – 1999 storm event +120 cm at Verdon

This enhanced site safety is also achieved by reducing the initial footprint by 40% and designing the construction profile to respect the terrain's geography and hydraulic functionalities. It has been designed to avoid any indirect impact on neighboring homes (by diverting water flows) on both the left and right banks.

A counter-expert review by the Dutch firm CDR International, a global specialist in these matters, validated all these studies and protective measures this summer.

2. Elimination of sulfur dioxide emissions

To reduce the industrial risk and nuisances related to the use of sulfur dioxide, the project has changed its process and abandoned the production of a manganese by-product. Thus, the accidental risk to the population from the use of sulfur dioxide has been eliminated. As a result, only the presence of significant amounts of Nickel and Cobalt on-site triggers the Seveso classification.

3. Reduction of construction phase nuisances

The construction phase has been redesigned to minimize the impact on local residents. A modular approach has been chosen for building the plant. This involves transporting the modules by boat and then assembling them on-site. This method offers several advantages:

Reduction of road traffic: fewer trucks on the surrounding roads, reducing noise and air pollution.
Shorter construction times: faster and more efficient assembly, shortening the construction phase and, consequently, reducing nuisances.

4. Reuse of water from the Blanquefort wastewater treatment plant

The project now plans to use treated wastewater from the Blanquefort treatment plant instead of drawing water directly from the Garonne River. This process recycles an existing resource, thereby reducing pressure on natural resources.

To ensure responsible water management, several stages of filtration and treatment are planned:

Treatment and filtration before use: wastewater will first be purified to meet the industrial process's requirements.
Treatment and filtration before discharge: after use, the water will be filtered again, ensuring that discharges remain neutral.

Project Timeline

Public consultation

The public consultation on the declaration of compatibility of urban planning documents took place between April 2 and April 30.

You can read the consultation file in digital or paper format at the head offices of the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux and Bordeaux Métropole, as well as in the town halls of Ambarès-et-Lagrave, Bassens, Blanquefort, Parempuyre and Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand.

To contribute, you can express your opinion and ask your questions until May 20, 2024 (23:59) in:

The digital register:
www.democratie-active.fr/concertation-mecdu-gpmb-emme/

Paper registers are available during opening hours at the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux head office and the Bordeaux Métropole head office, and in the town halls of Ambarès-et-Lagrave, Bassens, Blanquefort, Parempuyre and Saint-Louis-de-Montferrand.

To discuss certain subjects in more detail, you can make an appointment at the head office of the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux (152 quai Bacalan CS 41320 33300 Bordeaux).

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.

To make an appointment, please contact : postoffice@bordeaux-port.fr