Formentera acts to protect the dune system of some beaches in the face of state inaction

PalmThe Consell Insular de Formentera has decided to intervene motu proprio on the coast due to the lack of action by the Spanish government (competent administration) in maintaining the protection elements of the dune systems of the Natural Park of Ses Salines.

According to the Minister of Environment, Verónica Castelló, the institution will assume the removal of the poles, ropes, and deteriorated closures that are currently broken, displaced, or abandoned at different points in the protected area. The decision responds to the need to avoid new environmental impacts and to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors, given the state of degradation of these elements. The action, however, will be provisional and limited to the minimum intervention necessary while the actions corresponding to the competent bodies are carried out.

From the Consell they emphasize that the situation not only affects the conservation of the natural values of the park, but also entails evident risks, since the presence of broken or unstable structures can cause incidents and hinder passage in sensitive areas of the coast. Castelló has recalled that the institution had already requested these actions from the Demarcación de Costas of the State government and that, even, in April of last year it requested authorization to intervene directly. This request did not prosper because a tender had been announced to carry out the tasks, which, according to the Consell, has not yet resolved the existing needs.

Given the lack of material actions and the absence of ongoing procedures for the maintenance or replacement of the elements, the Consell has formalized an urgent request for measures to be taken to guarantee the conservation and restoration of the dune systems. The document, also sent to the Directorate General of Environment and Forest Management, includes an annex with a photographic report prepared on April 9, 2026, as well as reports from the Environment inspection services that document the current state of the area.

With this initiative, the insular institution wants to reinforce its commitment to the protection of natural heritage and safety, while demanding that the competent administrations assume their responsibilities. Finally, the Consell recalls that the replacement of these elements has been a recurring demand from the island's economic fabric and employers' associations. In parallel, the public company Ibifor has already begun maintenance work in the park, such as cleaning and replacing shades in the car parks, with the aim that all facilities are in good condition at the start of the summer season.