The government's sub-delegate in Huelva, María José Rico, has highlighted the "infrastructure with a future vocation" that the Executive is implementing to "protect" the coastline of Huelva against climate change. Rico emphasized that climate change is "a fact that kills and destroys indiscriminately," urging preparedness and a "preventive and constant effort."
Rico indicated that the government is addressing this reality with a national strategy based on "prevention and action," and stressed the need for the involvement of "all sectors" and "citizens" due to the direct impact of the phenomenon.
Specifically, she referred to the sand replenishment on Matalascañas beach, an action that concluded on June 30th with an investment of over 6.5 million euros and the addition of more than 700,000 cubic meters of sand, supplemented by an emergency contract. This measure is combined with the reinforcement of nine breakwaters.
Regarding the promenade of Matalascañas, severely affected by storms like the one in January, Rico explained that the government offered to undertake its complete repair, but the jurisdiction did not fall within the public maritime domain. After the mayor's initial refusal to sign an agreement, the promenade will be financed with 12 million euros from a 23.5 million euro aid package granted to the Almonte City Council for municipal infrastructure affected by storms.
Additionally, a previous subsidy of 400,000 euros to the Almonte City Council for repairing promenade damage in the Caño Guerrero area was recalled, ensuring that Matalascañas will be "well protected."
In La Antilla (Lepe), three million euros have been invested in the construction of a 160-meter breakwater to "curb the retreat of the coastline," along with an addition of 490,000 cubic meters of sand.
For Isla Cristina, a "comprehensive design" with partial setback in the area of Playa Central, annually affected by storms, is being considered. The project is expected to be finalized and presented in September to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Morán, for a "comprehensive and future-oriented solution."
In El Portil, the area "most affected this year," it has been concluded that massive sand replenishment is a "waste of public funds." Therefore, an "administrative concession rescue proceeding" has been initiated for eight affected properties.
The mayor of Punta Umbría has a "golden opportunity" to repair deficiencies, such as the El Portil collector, with aid from the government. The repair of the Mazagón collector, reinforced with riprap and to be replenished with sand, was cited as an example.
Finally, a project between the Ministries of Ecological Transition and Transport was mentioned to use sand from the dredging of navigation channels in Mazagón to regenerate the beach, a process that could take "a minimum of a couple of years."
