The Philippe Lamour canal

It is not a navigation channel but an infrastructure intended for the transport of water. The company BRL was established by decree in 1955 under the name "Compagnie Nationale d'Aménagement de la Région du Bas Rhône et du Languedoc." Philippe Lamour was its founding President. Being a commercial company, its shares are mainly held by the public sector (local authorities). A decree from 1956 grants it a 75-year concession for the execution and operation of hydraulic works contributing to the economic development of the region. The works are declared to be of public utility. BRL is authorized by the State to draw a maximum of 75 m3/s from the Rhône, upstream from Arles. The water is carried over 12 km by a feeder canal to the pumping station "Aristide Dumont," inaugurated in 1960 by General De Gaulle. Nikita Khrushchev and numerous foreign heads of state and international donors will visit it in turn. This station allows directing 63 m3/s to the Philippe Lamour canal, (+ 20 m), which carries water to Mauguio, in Hérault, 60 km further on, providing irrigation to 36,000 hectares equipped for irrigation as well as to the coastal tourist stations and municipalities of the Montpellier agglomeration. In 1993, the original statutes evolved. The BRL group was created. The regional development mission is attached to the parent company, the holding company of the group (BRL), which holds the concession from the State and the local authorities. In February 2008, the State concession was transferred to the regional council of Languedoc-Roussillon. Since 2009, the group's holding company has changed its name: the Compagnie Nationale d'Aménagement de la Région du Bas Rhône et du Languedoc has become the company BRL. On January 29, 2010, a new amendment to the concession treaty was signed by the President of the Region and the President of the Board of Directors of BRL. This amendment updates the initial treaty and adjusts the scope as well as the duration of the initial concession. The term of the concession granted to BRL is extended until 2051.

Le Barjonaute à la retraite...