El Consejo de Participación de Doñana pide al Gobierno actualizar evaluación de sondeo de gas.

The Participation Council of the Doñana Natural Space has met at the El Acebuche administrative center in Matalascañas, Almonte (Huelva) where the Annual Activities and Results Report for the Doñana Natural Space for the year 2024 was unanimously approved. Additionally, a proposal was made to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) to complement or update the risk assessment of the ‘Marismas-3NE Drilling’ project for potential direct or indirect impacts on groundwater bodies, the Doñana Natural Space, and therefore the Doñana Special Conservation Area.

During the meeting, chaired by Enrique Mateos and with the participation of the Vice-Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Sergio Arjona, it was agreed that the central government should inform the European Commission about the authorization process for the Marismas-3NE drilling, whose environmental assessment supporting the initial gas storage project dates back to 2010, in order to enhance transparency and compliance with EU environmental regulations. It was also suggested that this information be forwarded to the UNESCO World Heritage Center for review in line with the recommendations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on environmental assessments for World Heritage sites.

Lastly, it was decided to request MITECO to keep the Participation Council of the Doñana Natural Space informed about the actions taken regarding the agreement reached at the Plenary. The ‘Marismas-3NE Drilling’ project is linked to underground natural gas storage in the Doñana area and was a point of discussion at the Participation Council Plenary. These proposals aim to enhance the environmental protection guarantees of the Doñana Natural Space.

Additionally, unanimous reports were approved on the ‘Project for the recovery of streams in the Rocina area’ and the ‘Project for the recovery of lagoons’, both in the municipality of Almonte.

852 million mobilized by the Regional Government for the Doñana Agreement

During the interventions, the Vice-Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Sergio Arjona, provided a brief overview of the progress of the Doñana Agreement, signed between the Andalusian Government and the Spanish Government. He highlighted that since the signing, more than 58% of the committed funds have been mobilized, amounting to over 428 million euros in specific actions in strategic sectors such as fishing, agriculture, forestry, natural environment, and hydraulic infrastructure.

«Thanks to the decisive push from the Regional Government, we have mobilized over 852 million euros, surpassing the initial commitment,» he emphasized, noting that these investments are translating into tangible improvements for biodiversity, sustainability, and socio-economic development in the Doñana area.

He also shared an optimistic outlook on the evolution of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia, highlighting that the census population in 2024 has reached 836 individuals, 78 more than the previous year. Arjona praised this growth, particularly significant compared to the 2019 figures when 463 individuals were counted. «Andalusia has doubled the population in just five years, demonstrating the effectiveness of the conservation strategies implemented,» he noted.

Furthermore, he highlighted the population census in the Doñana-Aljarafe area, which includes 133 individuals, with 33 females, a historic high. In this area, a total of 75 individuals were counted, including 38 cubs, detected within the Doñana Natural Space. Additionally, at least seven litters with 18 cubs were identified, with three litters located within the Natural Space housing 6 cubs.

240,000 waterfowl after this year’s rains

Regarding the current state of the Doñana marshes, the Vice-Minister emphasized the positive impact of the abundant rainfall since September, restoring a landscape unseen for over a decade. «We are facing the first wet year since 2010, with nearly 100 liters per square meter above average,» he detailed, noting that March was the rainiest month on record. Thanks to this water cycle, over 28,000 hectares of the National Park and 11,000 of the Natural Park were flooded, with depths reaching up to 80 centimeters in areas like Vetalengua. This scenario has also led to the presence of over 240,000 waterfowl from 87 different species. «It’s a historic event that renews our confidence in the ecosystem’s recovery capacity,» he expressed.

Arjona also emphasized the significance of the recent acquisitions of the ‘Veta la Palma’ and ‘Tierras Bajas’ estates, adding 8,700 new hectares to the Andalusian public heritage with an investment of around 80 million euros. This operation will allow for a more coherent and comprehensive management of the Doñana complex.

The Vice-Minister also commended the exemplary implementation of the Romero Plan and the traditional Mare Roundup by the Doñana Natural Space staff, two emblematic events reflecting the close relationship between culture, tradition, and sustainability. Finally, he praised the collaboration agreement with the González-Gordon family, owners of the ‘El Puntal’ and ‘El Lobo’ estates, as a model of public-private cooperation for the active conservation of the National Park. «This agreement reinforces our commitment to participatory and sustainable management, focused on ecosystem restoration, habitat improvement, and the protection of key species such as the Iberian lynx or the imperial eagle,» he concluded.

The plenary session was attended by the Director General of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo; the Director of the Doñana Natural Space, Juan Pedro Castellano; the Commissioner for the Doñana Agreement, Jaime Mora; and the Territorial Delegate for Sustainability and the Environment in Huelva, Pedro Yórquez. Mayors from municipalities within the Natural Space, representatives from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the Doñana Biological Station, universities, environmental associations, and the Andalusian Hunting Federation, among other authorities, also participated.