The essential issue at hand is reducing significantly Loire basin companies’, industries’, and business areas’ vulnerability , under an “integrated” action plan with a focus on preserving the company’s vital interests against flooding.

The reasons behind the plan

Major flooding of the Loire River or its tributaries represents a great risk, which could cause considerable disturbance and damage. For the Loire river basin, a flood similar to the 1856 event would be one of the most serious natural catastrophes that could affect France.

It is therefore advisable to raise the economic players’ awareness of the risk and their interest in taking action, and then to propose technical solutions, all while pooling the support efforts.

How the plan works

Creation of a favourable environment for deploying the initiative (survey, information, awareness-raising, training, networking, etc.) Objective for 2013 : 15,000 economic players having received appropriate information and/or participated in awareness-building sessions.
 Establishment of a significant number of vulnerability diagnostics Objective for 2013 : 3,000 diagnostics performed.
 Completion of effective, priority measures to reduce vulnerability by voluntary companies, industries and business areas
Objective for 2013 : 900 concrete measures taken

At the same time, river basin overall studies to evaluate foreseeable risks, issues and impacts; launch of innovative research-development projects.
Overall cost of around 30 million euros, co-financed by the European Union in the framework of the Loire River Interregional Programme 2007-2013.  

www.plan-loire.fr/demarche-industrielle

Actions supported by the European Union in the framework of the Loire River Interregional Operational Programme 2007-2013 

Loire River Scientific Council

The Scientific Council of the Loire River Interregional Programme (plan Loire grandeur nature) was set up in 2007. Its remit is to advise the main bodies involved (Monitoring and Management Committee) on the implementation of actions decided, in particular under the Research/ Data/Information section. In this context, it formulates opinions on all issues falling under the programmes and projects related to research, technological development and innovation.

Annual Meeting of the Loire Scientific Community and River Managers

The purpose of this meeting is to share results, experiences and best practices, in order to help develop, share and promote knowledge, also to make the Loire a European benchmark for river basin management.

Research/Data/Information Platform

Regular working meetings of the platform (3 times a year). Participation is open to all potentially-interested organisations and work carried out in full transparency (minutes posted on www.plan-loire.fr).

Promotion of Success-Stories in the Field of Research and Development

Outstanding research projects (including doctoral and post-doctoral works) are granted financial support. In this context, particular attention is also paid to data integration.

Adaptation of the Loire River Basin to the Impacts of Climate Change

Identification as a national pilot site (by the Ministry for sustainable development, in 2007) has opened the way to this 2007-2013 initiative managed by the Loire River Basin Authority (Etablissement public Loire). A major call for research projects was launched in 2008, dedicated to the understanding of human and environmental vulnerabilities in light of the effects of climate change.

Collaborative Intranet/Internet Exchange Platform

The collaborative exchange platform must help develop and share river basin related knowledge (relying on both fundamental and operational research). It aims at stimulating and facilitating communication between the Loire River Interregional Programme stakeholders and all other interested parties.

www.plan-loire.fr/recherche-donnees-information