Simple download service (Atom) of the dataset: Vulnerable areas in Alsace

Vulnerable areas are the land designated in accordance with European Directive No. 91-676 whose objectives set out in its first article are to reduce pollution of water caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources, and to prevent further pollution of this type. A vulnerable area is a part of the territory where water pollution by direct or indirect discharge of nitrates of agricultural origin or other nitrogen compounds that may become nitrates threatens in the short term the quality of aquatic environments and, in particular, the supply of drinking water. Vulnerable areas shall be designated as vulnerable areas where: — groundwater and surface fresh water, in particular those used or intended for water abstraction for human consumption, with a nitrate content exceeding 50 mg/L, and those with nitrate content between 40 and 50 mg/L without showing a downward trend — estuary waters, coastal and marine waters and surface fresh waters which undergo or are likely to undergo eutrophication to which enrichment of water with nitrogen compounds from agricultural sources contributes An action programme shall be implemented in each region concerned, setting out the requirements to be complied with by all farmers in the corresponding vulnerable area. They are constructed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, based on a local diagnosis. They aim to correct the most pollution-generating practices. Outside vulnerable areas, a national code of good agricultural practice is voluntary. The decree establishing all the municipalities classified as vulnerable areas on the Rhine-Meuse basin was signed on 8 October 2015 by the Rhine-Meuse Basin Coordinating Prefect, after consulting all the Regional Basin Councils, the Regional Chambers of Agriculture of the Basin, the Regional Commissions for the Agricultural Economy and the Rural World of the Basin, the Rhin-Meuse Water Agency, the Rhin-Meuse Basin Committee and after consulting the public. Vulnerable areas are reviewed every 4 years.