Dinant Evasion, the historic operator of kayaking trips on the Lesse, is currently facing a critical situation. The renewal of the operating licence, indispensable to continue this popular activity, is currently under review and new, unjustified and particularly worrying restrictions could be imposed.
A public enquiry will be launched in the coming days, with one last chance to tip the balance.
Unjustified restrictions
Over the past five years, a rigorous scientific study has been conducted on the Lesse, the protocol of which was validated by the Walloon Region. Based on the way the river is currently organised and used, the study concludes that the impact of kayaks on nature is limited to an extent that does not prevent the preservation and even flourishing of the river’s fauna and flora.
Nevertheless, the authorities not only plan to reduce the number of kayaks allowed on the Lesse by 30 per cent, but also to revise the threshold limits (the minimum water level above which kayaks are allowed to navigate). The latter measure would lead to an extension and multiplication of closure periods, especially during the summer.
Absolute nonsense, as the study proves this is unnecessary.
Particularly worrying consequences
Apart from their uselessness, the dramatic consequences of these restrictions are worrying: the application of such restrictions would inevitably lead to an almost fatal loss of profitability for Dinant Evasion.
With a 50% capacity reduction, the company would have to triple its prices to survive, making kayaking on the Lesse unaffordable compared to other rivers in Belgium and France.
In the short term, these conditions would lead to the permanent closure of the company, putting 85 jobs at risk and negatively affecting local businesses, especially shops, cafés, restaurants, campsites, hotels and gîtes. Not to mention the funding for the municipalities of Houyet and Dinant, which receive almost €300,000 a year in various taxes!
“We live in this green environment and live off it, so we don’t need to be convinced that nature must be preserved.”
– Olivier PITANCE, director of Dinant Tourisme/Dinant Evasion
Mobilisation and public survey
The public enquiry will run from 10 June to 10 July 2024. Dinant Evasion is calling on all its supporters to share their positive views on kayaking on the Lesse with the local authorities to challenge the proposed new restrictions.
You can send your opinions by e-mail to patrimoine.territorial@houyet.be or service.environnement@dinant.be (or info@dinant-evasion.be, which will pass them on).
A few lines are enough, but they could change everything.
