Flanders and France agreed on Monday on future flood management strategies for the cross-border region of De Moeren, with Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele signing the accord in Lille with French Foreign Minister Jean Noël Barrot.
De Moeren is an expansive area between Veurne and Dunkirk that was reclaimed from the sea in the 17th century and frequently experiences flooding, as it lies about four metres below sea level.
This was evident in November 2023 and the spring of 2024, when Flanders and France collaborated without a legal framework, which is now being established.
Infrastructure in both regions is crucial for rapid drainage, with an emergency pumping station in Veurne capable of directing water from Binnen Moeren to the Nieuwpoort-Dunkirk canal. Dunkirk features a sluice gate for additional discharge into the Exutoire Canal.
The new agreement stipulates how this infrastructure will be managed and maintained, with automatic activation in emergencies. It was signed on Monday by Diependaele and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Noël Barrot.
