The mitigation hierarchy in French regional nature parks: a territory for projects or a territorial project?

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the application of the mitigation hierarchy in France (referred to herein as AMO sequence, for Avoid - Minimize- Offset) in regional nature parks. It is the result of a survey of avoidance on the scale of several parks including the regional nature park "Boucles de la Seine Normande", the latter having integrated the AMO sequence in its core strategic charter. The regional nature parks are regularly solicited to provide support and feedback on environmental impact studies. Due to the difficulties faced by the territory's stakeholders when applying the AMO sequence, the challenge for the regional nature parks is to bring forth their know-how and in-depth knowledge of the territory in order to include this sequence in a broader territorial project.