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A dynamic approach for the Ain river

All the SAGE policies contribute to the preservation of the site, one of the basic policies in particular :

"To preserve all the habitats shaped by the Ain river and the remarkable species associated with them, by developing better knowledge and methods of conservation management."

Natura 2000: managing the natural heritage together


European Directives

In order to further the maintenance of biological diversity and the conservation of natural habitats and species habitats, the European Union has issued two Directives, a "Birds" Directive in 1979 and a "Habitats" Directive in 1992.

These directives provide for the setting up of a network of sites which are home to the natural habitats and species habitats of wild fauna and flora of Community interest. The Natura 2000 Network will cover all the sites designated under the two Directives, Habitats and Birds.


Progress of the Natura 2000 procedure

On the basis of scientific inventories, and after consulting local municipal authorities and the EPCIs (inter-commune public cooperation bodies), the State submitted to the European Union a list of sites of Community importance.

The coherence of these lists of sites proposed by the Member States is checked by the European Commission, which then adds them to the list of sites of Community importance (in progress).

Finally, a ministerial order designating sites one by one will allow them to integrate the Natura 2000 Network officially.


Transposition of the Habitats Directive into French law

The provisions for the implementation of the Natura 2000 Network were transposed into French law in 2001.

- Order no. 2001-321 of 11 April 2001 relating to the transposition of Community Directives and the implementation of certain provisions in the environmental field.
- Decree no. 2001-1031 of 8 November 2001 relating to the procedure for designating Natura 2000 sites.
- Decree no. 2001-1216 of 20 December 2001 relating to the management of Natura 2000 sites: objectives document, Natura 2000 contracts, evaluation of the impact of the programmes and projects subject to authorisation or approval.
Remember : Principles for the implementation of Natura 2000

- Natura 2000 does not introduce any new regulatory authorisation procedures.
- Natura 2000 encourages a joint approach (steering committee and Natura 2000 objectives document), a contractual approach (Natura 2000 contracts).
- The Natura 2000 issues are taken into account when evaluating projects (impact studies and statement): if there is an impact, compensatory measures may be requested for the conservation of habitats and species of Community interest.
- Leisure activities, fishing and hunting in particular, are not considered as detrimental activities.

Find out more : http://natura2000.environnement.gouv.fr


Natura 2000 on the Lower Ain valley

The Lower Ain valley is concerned only by the Habitats Directive, centred on the conservation of the natural habitats of the wild fauna and flora.

Two adjoining sites are involved :

Alluvial and aquatic environments of the Lower Ain valley - 1614 ha – Natura 2000 code: FR 8201645

Alluvial and aquatic environments of the Ain-Rhône confluence: 680 ha – Natura 2000 code: FR 8201653
Find out more : http://natura2000.environnement.gouv.fr/sites/code Natura 2000


The Lower Ain valley steering committee and the Natura 2000 objectives document

The composition of the Natura 2000 Steering Committee for the "alluvial and aquatic environments of the Ain-Rhône Confluence and the Lower Ain valley" sites was set out in a prefectoral order dated 19 February 2003. It includes all the members of the CLE (Local Water Commission), with a few small changes made necessary by the applicable regulations.

Its vocation is to participate in and prepare the Natura 2000 Objectives document, and the Natura 2000 contracts. It also monitors them and evaluates their implementation.

The Natura 2000 Objectives document for the Lower Ain valley is currently in the process of being drawn up. A genuine tool serving as a reference and aid to decision-making for the preservation of endangered habitats and species, it lays down the management guidelines and conservation measures to be implemented.


Forest Regulations and managers' partnership for the preservation of the natural environment

Spread of types of ownership on the site (DPF = River Public Domain)

Municipally held land occupies almost half of the territory.

Already applicable in certain municipal authorities on the site, the Forest Regulations are enforced where they allow :
- the maintaining of the intended use of the land,
- the lasting preservation of the site, reinforced by bringing the forest management plans into line with the Natura 2000 Objectives document,
- municipal councils to retain control of these areas, with all operations having to be approved by deliberation,
- the policing and surveillance of the site, which may be reinforced by contract,
- for the possibility of a technical partnership between the managers of natural environments and landowners: ONF, CRAEN (Rhône-Alpes Natural Areas conservation body), SBVA (Lower Ain Valley association) and municipal authorities.

Concerning the DPF (public river domain), which covers approximately 40% of the territory, the same type of partnership is proposed by the State, by contract.

Concerning private properties, in the minority on the territory, solutions are envisaged on a case-by-case basis, and may go as far as the acquisition of the land.