LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGICAL TRANSITIONPublished on September 20, 2024

Hurricane season: new approach to ravine maintenance

In anticipation of potential bad weather, the Collectivité de Saint-Martin carries out maintenance on more than 60,500 m² of ravines, ditches and outlets throughout the territory each year. This maintenance is a crucial step in anticipation of potential flooding, with the aim of improving rainwater drainage.

Hurricane season: new approach to ravine maintenance
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Favor a gentler method that respects ravine ecosystems

Gullies, as non-permanent waterways, play a vital role in the flow of runoff. Vegetation in gullies helps stabilize banks, reduce erosion, and filter pollutants. However, overly dense vegetation could obstruct the flow of runoff and increase the risk of flooding.

Unlike previous years when the dredging technique was chosen, this year the Collectivité wanted to favor a gentler method that respects ravine ecosystems, based on clearing and mowing. This approach makes it possible to control excessive vegetation while preserving the ecological benefits of the plants present. In particular, the stabilization of the banks and the functionality of the ecological corridors.

This year, the maintenance of the ravines will be carried out in a targeted manner, depending on the specificities of each collector, the density of the vegetation and the presence of blockages that could hinder the flow of water.

Hurricane season: new approach to ravine maintenance
Hurricane season: new approach to ravine maintenance

The Collectivité is counting on everyone's involvement to contribute to the cleanliness of the territory.

The outlets located at Galisbay, Grand-Case and Friar's Bay will be pre-opened, with a sand bar left in place which can be opened after the passage of a rain event, if it has not opened naturally.

The companies mandated by the Collectivité began maintenance operations at the beginning of July and will complete the work at the end of August, before the peak of the cyclone season.

Green waste extracted from the various sites will be transported to the Grandes-Cayes ecosite where it will be recovered as compost.

In order to optimize these maintenance actions and work collectively, the Collectivité reminds users that it is up to local residents to maintain the banks and surroundings of ravines located on their property. In addition, it is prohibited to dump green and bulky waste in ravines. Individuals are invited to follow this instruction and take them to the Galisbay recycling center, which is free for individuals.

REMINDER: The Galisbay recycling center is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Collectivité is counting on everyone's involvement to contribute to the cleanliness of the area.