The Formentera Department of Environment reports that an array of measures in recent months designed to guarantee appropriate water flow in Estany Pudent have the twofold objective of ensuring sanitary conditions and enabling bird nesting.
With the blessing of Ses Salines nature reserve management and the national coastal authority, municipal personnel positioned bags of gravel to reduce the incoming flow of water. The stopgap measure has so far proven effective, with Estany Pudent registering water levels far below normal levels, circumstances which are conducive to nesting birds. While authority on species preservation lies with the Govern balear, Formentera’s government collaborates with the regional administration on such issues.
The Consell maintains constant communication with the firm contracted to manage Formentera’s salt pans in order to ensure an coordinated monitoring of water levels. FDE staff insist that though many birds vie for nearby nesting sites, current physical limitations mean the number of couples the pond can accommodate is limited.
The current measure is viewed as a Band-aid until a permanent lock-gate is installed. The Consell has begun related legwork and brought in an outside firm to draft a project so reproductions of the original Sa Sequi lock-gates can be made. The salt-mining firm has proposed its own strategy, however, given the area in question is classified as a cultural interest site (BIC) and a briefing from the Regional Environmental Commission requires permits to be issued before action is taken, that proposal is currently under review.
Illegal construction in a protected space
On 6 March, the Consell ordered crews to halt works which the contract holder had commissioned unilaterally, without permits and without the go-ahead of the coastal authority or the Balearic natural spaces office. The project, for which the company had also failed to draft a highway impact study, involved installation of three lock-gates under PM 820-2. Given features protruding into the highway, the installation appeared dangerous, particularly for motorists. Agents of the national coastal authority, FDE and local inspection service stopped the operation so it could first be assessed and requests issued for related permits, and to guarantee the safety of individuals traveling on the highway.
10 April 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera
Consell de Formentera and Barnasants renew partnership to bring independent singer-songwriters to the island and promote hometown talent offshore
The Formentera Department of Island Services is taking the lead on various improvements and upkeep at children’s play areas across the island. This week, in response to petitions from nearby residents, crews will put up a safety fence around the perimeter of Ses Bardetes park. The operations, which carry an estimated cost of €4,864.13, will also enable access by people with reduced mobility and involve replacement of the previous entry gate, which was prone to frequent breakdown. Rubber will also be refitted at Illes Pitiüses park in La Savina and, opposite Marc Ferrer secondary school, at Frank Jackson park in Sant Francesc.
The Formentera Department of Youth Services announces the April activities bill at the drop-in centre for young islanders. The programme kicks off with an all-new initiative, Xerrades en Línia (Online Lectures), with an inaugural 6 April edition focused on transgender visibility in a nod to Transgender Visibility Day (31 March). Presented by Chrysallis, the talks will take place on the 6th and 16th at 6.30pm and the 28th at 5.00pm and may be attended person-to-person at the Casal.