Does the law ban mess in forests?

We live next to a lake in a forest and love to walk there, but our summer is ruined by fishermen who camp, leaving litter and even excrement covered by toilet paper. Our mayor does not seem interested in acting. Are there any laws that could help? A.F.

The Code Pénale (Art. R632) says leaving behind rubbish or excrement in a public or private place, unless the owner permits it, is punishable by a second-class fine (up to a maximum €150).

It is a minor criminal offence which could be enforced by the police, gendarmes or gardes champêtres.

The Code de l’Environnement states (art. L541-2) anyone leaving behind rubbish which degrades natural sites and countryside, causes odours or is a health risk must remove it and if they do not the council can do it and bill them (art. L541-3).

The Code Général de Collectivités Territoriales (art. L373-6) says bodies responsible for public spaces are obliged to clean up rubbish.

The first port of call should be the mairie but if they do not act you could complain to the prefecture or eventually appeal to an administrative court.