4. Water stakeholders' perception of the restoration project

As with any ecological restoration project, the results of the measures and their cost-effectiveness are difficult to assess due to their "natural" nature (no "magic wand" effect on fish stocks, for example). Indeed, the lack of knowledge about these measures can sometimes lead managers and the public to doubt their effectiveness. Biophysical processes take longer to set up than political desires.

In this chapter, we present a number of feedbacks and fears from discussions held during the implementation of the new facilities.

Feedback from local residents and elected representatives concerned by the projects generally focuses on the risk of flooding, at least on a one-off basis, caused by the installation of the development. The weir is seen as a flow barrier that should be removed rather than restored. Other criticisms were also levelled...