The referendum results
In Sunday’s civic vote, residents of St-Maurice (VS) rejected the proposal to end the exploitation of the Râpes quarry within 15 years and to renature the site within 30 years. The turnout reached 58.19%, and 60.05% of ballots were in favor of maintaining operations rather than phasing them out. The result marks a clear preference among the community for continuing industrial activity, at least for the time being, and indicates cautious optimism about a future renovation plan rather than a wholesale halt to production.
Reaction from the council
The municipal council acknowledged the majority decision but expressed regret over the defeat of an object it had considered balanced and potentially beneficial. In a press release, officials argued that the plan offered “very good prospects” for concluding exploitation in a controlled manner while moving toward renaturation in the near future. They stressed that the council would respect the will of residents while acknowledging the project’s perceived advantages in terms of site management and environmental restoration.
“It remains the responsibility of the Bourgeoise de Saint-Maurice, owner of the site, to redraw a new development project,” the statement read, “taking into account concerns raised during the campaign, but also preserving, where possible, the qualitative benefits of handing the land back to nature.”
Background and path to the vote
Earlier approvals and ambitions
In December 2024, the Conseil général of St-Maurice approved a project enabling the two private owners of the site — the Bourgeoisies of Mex and St-Maurice — to continue quarry operations, with the current exploitation scheduled to end in 2040. A renaturation plan proposed to bring the landscape back to a natural state within 30 years, a proposal that had received favorable attention from the local legislature in the nearby city of Agaune.
A citizens’ drive and the referendum trigger
Three months after that decision, a citizens’ committee gathered 883 valid signatures, triggering the referendum so residents could decide the fate of the Râpes site. Opponents argued that the project allowed a high-risk, 200-meter-deep operation for 15 years, despite the fact that the quarry’s vertical exposure had been quiet for decades. They warned about noise, fine particulates, potential seismic risks, and the potential to derail a future natural restoration of the area.
Opposition concerns and stakeholder views
The public debate highlighted a balance between economic activity and environmental health. Critics contended that continuing exploitation could impose ongoing nuisances on nearby communities and hinder the long-term ecological goals promised by renaturation. The PAD (Plan d’aménagement de détail) process, opened for public comment in late 2022, drew around fifty objections. Pro Natura and WWF opted not to oppose the project outright, though neither endorsed it, leaving the final decision to voters and local leadership.
What happens next
With the vote settled, the Bourgeoise de Saint-Maurice now faces the task of designing a revised development plan that respects the expressed concerns while aiming to maintain the beneficial aspects of a future natural recovery of the site. Local officials emphasize that any new proposal must align with community expectations and environmental safeguards, while still recognizing the town’s need for economic and industrial continuity in the area.
Local impact and reflection
The Râpes referendum underscores how communities weigh economic imperatives against environmental restoration. As Saint-Maurice moves forward, residents will likely scrutinize any new plan for its credibility, feasibility, and its ability to safeguard air quality, noise levels, and geological stability. The outcome signals a cautious, participatory approach to managing a landscape that holds historical industrial value and a future environmental promise.
