The site is part of Natura 2000 network both through Habitats and Bird Directives. The Natura 2000 Management Plan (DOCOB) will be developped during year 2005.

This site is also part of a ""Loire Nature Programm"" conducted by LPO Auvergne -2002-2006). The sector ""Bec-de-Dore"" whose description is given here, is a specific project of the general programm."

Within the Natura 2000 site: the BEC DE DORE management project...

PROJECT GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
Insure the long terme preservation of fluvial dynamics and alluvial habitats

PROJECT 2005 OBJECTIVES:
- undertake prior studies and management plans
- Maintain the lateral movement freedom of the river
- improve knowledge of the site
- Save / enhance local biodiversity
- Marketting the river's and valley's image toward visitors / avoid local pollutions

LAND OWNING AND GENERAL CONTEXT:
- LPO owns 11 ha since 1989 (bought as part of an ACNAT project).
- LPO manages an 11ha piece of land since 1996, which is owned by SIAEP (water adduction body)
- LPO also works on 380ha of fluvial public property (DPF) through annual agreements and concertations with sectorial Equipment Bodies in charge of the administrative management ; Regarding this aspect,

Management agreements between LPO and French State should be signed in 2005. Based on these starting points, the Bec de Dore sector was included in the « Loire Nature Programm » second phase (2002-2006), as well as a vast complementory sector located both in Allier and Puy-de-Dôme (downstream the Allier/Dore confluence). In 2003, the Auvergne Conseil General (Department) acquired 67ha of hard wood forest, dry meadows and plantations. This was done as part of the ENS departemental projects, following advice from LP. This land is located next to LPO and DPF land, therefore forming a large 80ha protected sector. LPO and ONF (Public Forest Body) wrote the management Plan, and LPO now awaits to be given the management responsibility.

FIRST ACTIONS:

Prior studies / Management plans or directories:
- Writing the 80ha anagement plan in collaboration with ONF (2004-mars 2005). Its main objectives are :
- Maintain the lateral movement freedom of both rivers (Dore and Allier)
- Maintain / enhance local biodiversity eg by maintaining / creating open spaces within this densely closed (wooded) properties
- Insure quietness of the sector

Maintain the lateral movement freedom of both rivers:
- Partners now expect to start working on the possibility to suppress rock embankments on some sectors

Improve knowledge of the site:
- Study Herons breeding sites (breeding pairs counts)
- Study Burhinus oedicnemus and Sterna sp. breeding
- Implement IPA (breeding bird census techniques)

Preserve / enhance local biodiversity:
- Management works were undertaken on the hydraulic annexes of the river, where the Auvergne most important Esox lucius breeding grounds are found : pollarding Salix trees, topographical surveys, water levels surveys relating to Allier water flows, chemical and physical water quality surveys, fisch and water macroinvertebrates inventories, post-opening vegetation recolonisation surveys…
- Dry meadows management (haying, clearing of bushes) helps maintaining the site's diversity as fluvial dynamics will not, in this particular place, renew habitats before a very long period of time. The objective is to maintain a high breeding birds and rhopaloceran diversity.
- The Marsilea quadrifolia plant station is being visited regularly so as to detect and deter any new Ludwigia growth.
- a second hydraulic annex is completely invaded by Ludwigia. A group of volunteers carried out a suppressing work on a « witness point » in july 2004. The objective was to evaluate the cost of such work, as well as tyhe necessary effort to maintain such cleared out points opened.
- All works are carried out by LPO employees (2 persons) plus volunteers, helpers, students, external interventions…

Marketting the river's and valley's image toward visitors / avoid local pollutions:
- Eliminate an important wild dumping site, have interventions on several others
- Sensibilise the public through field visits, conferences…
- local newsletter
- Leaflet on the local natural heritage
- As part of the public information actions, the Regional Park of Livradois-Forez and the Tourism Office from Thiers organise yearly, in the summer, a programm including 4-6 Discovery Visits in situ, which are conducted by the local environmental organisation LPO Auvergne

PROJECT'S PARTNERS:
These actions are carried out in partnership with financing bodies, administrations, local communities : Departments of Allier & Puy-de-Dôme, Region, DIREN, Water Agency, maires of the concerned towns. Each action as specific collaborations : for instance, the « Esox lucius project » works through a LPO - Fishermen - Fish Council partnership. The « Ludwigia » and « wild dumping sites » projects work trhough an LPO - Maires - Equipment Body cooperation…

FINANCING BODIES:
This action is financed through Loire Nature Programm, by the fiollowing partners : DIREN Auvergne, Region Auvergne, Department 63, Loire Bretagne Water Agency.