Holcim Granulats France

Objective

To preserve an orchid under regional protection, located on the area of a future extraction site.

Context

The orchid Epipactis muelleri was identified on the area impacted by the project by M. Robert (from the LPO), a natural scientist who has been going around the site for several years.

Solution

Holcim committed itself to implement numerous compensatory measures, among which an experimental project of species transplantations.

A state authorisation for the orchid transplantation was obtained in January 2007 (after a positive notification from the French national council for nature protection).

Result

The transplantation job was conducted and consisted in moving 40 heads of orchid and in completing a report on the transplanting action.

A scientific follow-up on this operation will continue during ten years after transplanting.