Protecting the southern damselfly

In connection with the works to widen the A9 motorway around Perpignan (south-west France), ASF (VINCI Autoroutes) has signed an agreement with the association managing the Salses-Leucate pond concerning the protection of the southern damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale), an insect similar to the dragonfly, which enjoys protected status nationwide. Under the terms of the agreement, ASF has committed itself to implementing, for a period of 20 years, a management plan involving preserving and restoring this insect's habitat (network of small waterways, appropriate pasture-land) and monitoring its population numbers.