Daniel Borie, mayor of Saint-Vite and vice-president of the Conseil Départemental of Lot-et-Garonne in charge of Planning, Infrastructure and Mobility, was elected president of the Syndicat Mixte du Bassin du Lot at its annual general meeting on October 28, 2021. He succeeds Serge Bladinières, who had been president since 2015. It is the first time that the political agency bringing together all five départements covering the Lot river basin has elected a president from Lot-et-Garonne since the late Jean François-Poncet, who played a key role alongside Maurice Faure in launching the Lot restoration project in 1992. The appointment reflects the strategic role played by Lot-et-Garonne, which is both the gateway to the Lot valley and the site of major projects and challenges, particularly for navigation.

Replying to our message of congratulations on his appointment, Daniel Borie promised to be faithful to his commitment to members of the CANALET movement. He will strive for the successful outcome of our efforts to secure a prosperous future for the river Lot as a major asset for tourism in all five départements. The upstream départements of Cantal and Lozère generously support the long-term goal of navigability up to Livinhac (270 km and 60 locks), despite not being directly concerned; on the other hand, they offer considerable tourism development potential based on whitewater holiday activities; canoeing, rafting… and cycling on the new river Lot cycling itinerary.