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A. and others vs the Municipality of Saxon and the Conseil d’Etat of the Canton of Valais

Country/Territory
Switzerland
Type of court
National - higher court
Date
Jul 16, 2014
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Court name
First Administrative Court of the Federal Tribunal
Seat of court
Lausanne
Judge
NA
Reference number
1C_741/2013
Language
French
Subject
Water
Keyword
Private forest Flood Inland waters Water desalination Property rights Freshwater resources management Private land Ownership
Abstract

In 2010, the Municipality of Saxon has developed a major water project. This project, providing for the extension of a watercourse, was impacting the applicants’ private properties. The Conseil d’Etat approved the project in 2012.

The applicants challenged before the Federal Tribunal the decision taken by the public authorities to undertake this water project.

According to them, the watercourse planning measures would represent a serious infringement of their right to property.

The Federal Tribunal dismissed the appeal on the basis that the right to property enshrined in Article 26 of the Constitution is not absolute. It may be restricted on a legal basis in the public interest.

In the present case, the Federal Law of 21 June 1991 on Flood Protection and the Federal Law of 24 January 1991 on Water Protection are aimed at protecting watercourses against any environmental harm. As a consequence, the contested decision was issued on a sufficiently precise legal basis.

Full text
1C 741 2013.pdf