Gaëligue Jos, Claire Delande and Régis Villepontoux, departmental advisors, brought together the Lot players from SAGE Dordogne Amont on Wednesday May 22. The Water Development and Management Scheme covers the watershed of the Dordogne river upstream in several departments, from Puy de Dôme to the Dordogne via Cantal, Corrèze and Lot.
This morning of work and discussions aimed to coordinate proposals and development issues specific to the Lot department. And to make the department’s own interests heard within this assembly of elected officials and different organizations, whose mission is to develop SAGE documents and implement their guidelines.
Management of water resources for multiple uses, starting with drinking water, but also agricultural irrigation; preservation of biodiversity in rivers and wetlands; guarantee of water flows and low water levels on a river which has no less than ten dams (not counting tributaries), for a total volume of stored water of one billion cubic meters; quality of bathing water and preservation of river banks… These are some of the many issues addressed during three thematic workshops, presented in a final restitution.
Beyond the Dordogne itself and its tributaries, it is the entire territory of 10,000 km2 – called “watershed” – which is concerned by the missions of the SAGE Dordogne upstream, on subjects as varied as rainwater runoff, soil pollution, sanitation systems or even hedge plantings and agricultural practices to maintain wetlands. All in a context of accelerated climate change, which requires solutions both to combat disruption and to adapt to warming.
Elected officials, managers and technicians from various organizations concerned were present at this meeting, including representatives of the State (Departmental Directorate of Territories), the Lot Chamber of Agriculture, the Adour Water Agency Garonne, and various communities or public establishments. Representatives of SAGE Lot Célé came as neighbors to share their own experience.
The meeting gave rise to a list of decisions and proposals, in the form of a report which will be sent to the president then to all elected officials of SAGE Dordogne upstream, in order to contribute to the debate and proposals for future developments.
