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With the New Year comes new plans for the protection and conservation of the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest salt-water lagoon. The latest plans involve a cash injection of 2.6 million euros in subsidies from the Biodiversity Foundation, which will finance two projects aimed at naturally preventing flooding and overflows.

 

As explained by Cartagena City Council, the first scheme will reinforce the surrounds of the Rambla de la Carrasquilla to prevent storm water from flowing in, and the second involves building natural flood barriers at vulnerable points.

 

So far, a total of 6 million euros has been designated for these specific works on the Mar Menor this coming year.

 

The project focused on the La Carrasquilla boulevard consists of the building of a series of green filters, filtering ditches and a green corridor intended to retain rainwater in Mar de Cristal, Islas Menores and Los Nietos and will finish with a new urban drainage system in Los Belones. Here, flower beds and green areas planted at strategic spots will act as water barriers.

 

However, the most labour intensive part of the project by far is the much-needed modernisation of the sanitation network that surrounds the Mar Menor, which will be reinforced to prevent leaks. It will involve a total investment of 3.5 million in 20 network renovation and expansion works. The municipal government has already approved 13 projects, 10 of which are already in the contracting phase.

 

Meanwhile, another 837,000 euros has been set aside for the re-naturalisation of former mining areas in Cabezo Ventura, which will involve transforming agricultural plots into new dry lands.

 

The City Council will also work to promote better farming practices to improve the management of soil, water and the reduction of pollutants, in addition to developing new techniques and protocols to reduce the contribution of nitrates and the use of biosolutions in fertilisation in crops.

 

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena