Four Algarve MPs from the ruling Socialist Party are recommending the classification and preservation of wetlands in the region.The MPs have submitted a draft resolution to parliament recommending that the government preserves and classifies the Algarve's key wetland areas, including, it was hoped, the Lagoa wetland that currently is threatened by the construction of a Continente supermarket. (* see Update below)
In their proposal, Luís Graça, Ana Passos, António Eusébio and Fernando Anastácio, suggest that the government comes up with a concerted action plan with the Association of Municipalities of the Algarve, in particular with Lagos, Silves, Albufeira and Loulé councils.
The most important sites requiring more protection are claimed to be Pául de Lagos, Alagoas Brancas in Lagoa, under threat from Continente, Lagoa dos Salgados (Silves and Albufeira councils) which is under threat from the development of Millennium BCP's 'Praia Grande eco-Resort,' and the Trafal and Foz do Almargem wetlands under Loulé council.
The petition seeks to establish a legal classification and level of ecological protection while providing funds and support to associations and environmental non-governmental organisations which would classify the bird, animal and plant life of these wet zones, some of which were named.
The initiative, which seeks to highlight and draw attention to World Wetlands Day on February 2nd, comes after a series of meetings between Luís Graça and environmental associations, as well as with local councils which say they are aware of the need to preserve these areas - and Lagoa council saying precisely the opposite when questioned by an action group about the Alagoas Brancas wetland site.
"Lagos council has already started preparing a management plan for Pául de Lagos, just as the Câmara de Loulé and the parish council of Quarteira are committed to the classification of Trafal and Foz do Almargem," explained the MPs.
In their draft resolution, the politicians point out that these wetlands are areas of marsh, peat and water, existing in coastal and river areas, with aquatic plants and soggy soils, that often feed underground reservoirs, rivers and streams and controls flooding and erosion through their vegetation.
The MPs also recall that "despite their ecological, aesthetic and cultural importance, these wetlands have been considered as marginal territories that should be transformed into dry land," and that the Algarve "has a diverse set of coastal wetlands of richness and ecological importance."
Portugal’s Institute of Nature and Forestry issued a report stating that Lagoas Brancas 'is not wet all year round and is too small to warrant protection.'
Faced with this sort of blinkered officialdom working in Continente’s favour while ignoring the essential natural role played by this freshwater area, the MPs' presentation to parliament is long overdue.
For a view of a 'dawn chorus' at the Lagoa wetland site, click HERE
UPDATE Feb 2nd
The Save Alagoas Brancas pressure group said today that it has seen the MPs' submission to the Parliamentary Environmental Committee and confirms that Alagoas Brancas is not named. This does not mean the site will be excluded from any additional protection agreed by parliament but does raise suspicion that the Continente supermarket chain, owned by Sonae Group, has been lobbying hard to continue with its plans to build another supermarket over this unique bird and wildlife site.
Also on February 2nd, Almargem issued a statement welcoming the draft resolution presented by the Socialist Party MPs to preserve Pául de Lagos, Lagoa dos Salgados and the adjacent Sapais de Pêra, Trafal and Foz de Almargem and took the opportunity "to request that Lagoa council, once and for all accepts, without prejudice, to hold an open and transparent debate on the current situation and future prospects of the Alagoas Brancas wetland site."
Almargem suggests including the Algarve's Environmental Agency, the ICNF which already has dismissed the area as being 'too small,' the Regional Development Council which generally is pro-building and the owner of the site, "in the search for a consensual and ecologically sustainable solution."
Almargem suggests including the Algarve's Environmental Agency, the ICNF which already has dismissed the area as being 'too small,' the Regional Development Council which generally is pro-building and the owner of the site, "in the search for a consensual and ecologically sustainable solution."
Sonae has rejected all attempts at opening a dialogue.
Alagoas Brancas, a site of "no value," according to the ICNF and soon to become a Continente supermarket - unless the government acts
