💡 On Thursday, May 15, 2025, CEPRI members gathered in Charente-Maritime for a General Assembly marked by productive discussions, site visits, and a strong strategic focus.
A Day Bridging Local Action and National Challenges
The day began in Châtelaillon-Plage, a symbolic location for coastal resilience following storm Xynthia. It provided an opportunity for CEPRI board members to meet with local elected officials, particularly from La Rochelle Agglomeration, and engage in a constructive dialogue on flood risk governance.
The visits continued in Yves and at the Libération construction site in Rochefort, centered around a key question:
How can a flood protection structure be integrated into a major heritage site?
These site visits concretely illustrated how strong political will can turn a natural disaster into a driver of transformation and territorial attractiveness — closely coordinated with State services.
Institutional Dialogue and Strategic Outlook
The afternoon was dedicated to institutional exchanges, during which several local initiatives were highlighted. Notably:
- The Charente-Maritime Department’s role in coordinating inter-municipalities and partners such as UNIMA
- The commune of Saintes’ active involvement in a “Territories Workshop” following recent floods
A lively yet constructive debate brought together CEPRI board members, the Mayor of Saintes, and the President of La Rochelle Agglomeration around a key structural issue:
➡️ Implementing the GEMAPI competence (Management of aquatic environments and flood prevention) across the Charente River basin.
The discussions provided valuable feedback on crisis management, highlighting its limitations and calling for a collective reflection on current tools and coordination methods.
A General Assembly Under the Sign of Continuity and Adaptation
The General Assembly was held at the premises of EPTB Charente, whom we warmly thank for their hospitality. The institution presented its strategic work, particularly on:
- Individual adaptation of buildings
- Supporting inter-municipal authorities (EPCI) in land-use planning
On the agenda:
✅ Approval of the 2024 financial accounts
✅ Renewal of the Board of Directors
✅ Validation of the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan
✅ Amendments to CEPRI’s statutes
These decisions reflect CEPRI’s commitment to continuing its work with agility in a context of evolving risks and territorial needs.
A Collective Expertise in Service of the Territories
We were pleased to welcome the active participation of our expert committee, notably represented by David Goutx and Régis Thépot, former director of EPTB Loire and Seine Grands Lacs, whose insights greatly enriched the discussions.
CEPRI extends its sincere thanks to all participants, elected officials, and partners for their commitment, the quality of the dialogue, and their continued support.
What’s Next?
CEPRI continues its mission in support of flood-prone territories, now more than ever acting as:
➡️ a hub of expertise, dialogue, and support for elected officials, technicians, and State services — enabling the concrete and adapted implementation of flood risk prevention and management policies.