The Prefect of Haute-Vienne and the Sub-Prefect of Rochechouart, visiting the Park territory

This Friday, August 9, the President of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park had the pleasure of receiving a visit from the Prefect of Haute-Vienne and the Sub-Prefect of Rochechouart, for a morning of discussion around initiatives flagships of the Park in terms of sustainable development.

Accompanied by a delegation of local elected officials, the President welcomed the Prefect and the Sub-Prefect to Bussière-Galant. An initial discussion allowed us to present the Park's actions in terms of energy transition and adaptation to climate change.

The Park is a historic player in the energetic transition, actively committing to sobriety and energy efficiency as well as to the controlled development of renewable energies (ENR). It is regularly requested by State services to issue advisory opinions on current ENR production projects in the territory. Faced with the deployment of ENR Acceleration Zones, and the multiplication of requests for opinions, the Park is currently working on the development of a framework document on the production of ENR, in collaboration with elected officials, communities of municipalities and state services.

At the same time, the Park works to promote energy efficiency by combating light pollution. This resulted in an application for the “international dark sky reserve” (RICE) label and the establishment of support for private structures in the management of their lighting. In this context, a “Company committed to preserving the nocturnal environment” label has been created.

The Park teams then presented the dynamic involved in terms ofadaptation to climate change, today as essential as mitigation efforts. In 2022, in partnership with Ademe, the Park carried out a diagnosis of the region's vulnerabilities to anticipate the challenges that Périgord-Limousin will face tomorrow. In response to these challenges, the Park is already carrying out several actions, intended to be reinforced, such as testing new methods of forest management and erasing ponds, etc.

After these discussions in the room, the officials went to the banks of the Dronne, where Mr. the Prefect and Mrs. the Sub-prefect were able to appreciate the work of restoration of ecological continuities of watercourses carried out as part of LIFE Haute-Dronne. At this location, the two culverts which formerly obstructed the watercourse were removed and replaced by a framework bridge, allowing the free circulation of water, biodiversity and sediments. In total, 13 structures were removed on this emblematic river of the Park.

This work illustrates the expertise of the Park in terms of Water Management, a skill recently reinforced by the management of aquatic environments and flood prevention (GEMAPI) on behalf of the communities of communes of Pays de Nexon – Monts de Châlus, Périgord Nontronnais and Périgord Limousin. This transfer of skills ensures coherent management at the scale of this hydrographic entity.

The Park also runs a Technical Assistance Unit for Wetlands and Ponds (CATZHE) for individuals and communities. The territory is dotted with numerous wetlands and waterways, which are subject to various threats to which they must respond collectively.

Following this sequence on the ground dedicated to water, the Park teams led the officials to a plot of wetland with high environmental value. On site, they presented examples of actions aimed at improve knowledge of local biodiversity, notably the ongoing inventories of wild pollinators and bats.

This plot visit was also an opportunity to present the actions carried out for the preservation of environments and species, in particular the Agro-environmental and Climate Measures (MAEC) implemented by the Park. Their objective is to financially support the development of agricultural practices combining economic performance and environmental performance. In the case of the plot visited, this support allows the maintenance of floristic diversity and is based on an approach of obligation of results (having and maintaining its floristic diversity), leaving freedom of means. Mr. Prefect and Mrs. Sub-Prefect were thus able to try their hand at identifying the numerous flowers on the plot, a preliminary step to any application for the MAEC “flower meadows”.

Finally, the discussions highlighted the need to put in place strong protection zones, while France has committed to placing 10% of its territory in strong protection status by 2050. On the scale of the Park, they currently represent only 0,24% of the 185 ha of the territory, i.e. approximately 800 ha.

To conclude the morning, the officials met in Rilhac-Lastours for an organic and local lunch, which allowed discussions to continue.