Golf Courses Receive Combined Fine of €16,500

The Senlis police court has issued fines totaling €16,500 to Ugolf, the company managing three golf courses in the Oise region – Chantilly, Ivry-le-Temple and Raray – for non-compliance with water usage restrictions during the summer of 2023. The decision followed a month of deliberation after the courses were initially accused of thirteen violations of water legislation.

Violation Details: Filling Technical Basins

The violations did not relate to the actual watering of the courses, which was found to be compliant with regulations. Instead, the fines stemmed from the unauthorized filling of technical basins, a practice prohibited by the prefectural anti-drought decree in place during the summer of 2023.

Raray Golf Course Exceeded Subsoil Water Limits

The Raray golf course was also found to have exceeded permitted subsoil water extraction limits in both 2022 and 2023, drawing 42,000 and 43,000 cubic meters of water respectively, while the maximum allowed was 30,000 cubic meters.

A threshold that the golf course management was unaware of,” Mr. Alexandre de Konn, lawyer for the three golf courses, stated during the hearing.

Mr. Alexandre de Konn, Lawyer for Ugolf

Mr. De Konn further pointed out that a subsequent prefectural decree increased the maximum threshold to 60,000 cubic meters, which clearly shows that there was no risk to the resource, which golf courses never accept lightly.

Compliance Measures Implemented

The OFB (French biodiversity office) also identified offenses related to the declaration of ponds and installations exceeding 1,000 square meters. Since these issues were brought to light, the three golf courses have taken steps to ensure full compliance with all relevant legislation.

Looking Ahead

This case highlights the importance of strict adherence to water regulations, particularly during periods of drought. The golf courses involved have demonstrated a commitment to rectifying past issues and operating within the legal framework.

FAQ

• What caused the fines? The fines were issued for filling technical basins without authorization during a drought period.
• Which golf courses were involved? The golf courses of Chantilly, Ivry-le-Temple, and Raray were involved.
• Was the watering of the courses compliant? Yes, the watering of the courses themselves was found to be compliant with regulations.