In response to a complaint from the Association of Estany des Peix Businesses and Users' regarding approval of the initial list of assessment of anchoring applications, the Consell de Formentera wishes to highlight the fact that comments and documentation are currently under review.

The Consell laments this association's instrumentalisation of the judiciary to delay proceedings and will continue to work for the preservation and traditional uses of this space, which is part of Ses Salines Park. The appropriate authorities approved the plans to regulate anchorage at the lake to redress a situation of ecological and environmental risk. Estany des Peix is suffering under the pressure of overcrowded anchored boats and unregulated activities, including for-profit rental of recreational watercraft, which is prohibited in this protected site.

Last March, the Balearic High Court of Justice (TSJB) endorsed regulation of Estany des Peix and rejected the precautionary suspension which had been requested by the business group. The TSJB signalled that Formentera's government "is acting to defend the general and public interest, since the park's use and management protocol prohibits the boat rental activities that the appellant association intends to continue carrying out."

20 February 2023
Office of Communications
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera is pleased to report that the first two weeks of a push to remove nests of the pine processionary caterpillar has logged 8,483 nests –a daily average of 566– since beginning in January. Two people have been hired to remove nests from public spaces and play areas in and around towns. To date, operations have taken place in Es Ca Marí, Es Pujols, Es Mal Pas, Camí de s'Abeuradeta and Cala en Baster.

The Consell has seven telescopic shears (three more than last year) to cut nests at heights of five and six metres. These shears can be borrowed at no cost from the Office of Environment. In addition, the Consell wishes to thank local hunting clubs, whose members have joined the effort to destroy nests, using 2,000 ammunition cartridges so far this year.

The Balearic Government's Healthy Forests Division (SFGIB), the branch of public administration that is chiefly responsible for intervening in wooded areas, has remit in such matters. Property owners, for their part, must see to forest upkeep themselves.

For more information, please contact the Office of Environment by phone (971 32 12 10, extension 1) or e-mail (mediambient@conselldeformentera.cat). You can also consult the SFGIB website (http://sanitatforestal.caib.es), and reach the SFGIB by phone (971 17 66 66) or email (sanitatforestal@caib.es).
 
9 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera is expanding solar panel installations across various public buildings, including CEIP Sant Ferran de ses Roques, the Formentera Day Centre, Es Molí social building and tennis courts and the Nautical Sports Centre (CENF) of La Savina.

Work at CEIP Sant Ferran de ses Roques is already completed, with panels installed on the school's roof that will add 33.79 kilowatts peak (kWp) of clean energy to the 30.24 kWp already generated. Approval is forthcoming for expansion of the current installation on the Formentera Day Centre, which will bring total sustainable energy production at the building from 25 kWp to 125 kWp. The project also includes plans to install an electric vehicle charging point near the buildings. As for the Es Molí social building and tennis courts, crews have just completed works to guarantee electricity production totalling 16.79 kWp. The installation at the CENF, which will generate 13.08 kWp, is also underway.

Antoni Tur, environment councillor, said that the Consell "continues to develop the goals set out in the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and is committed to achieving EU targets for cutting green-house gas emissions with actions related to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources." In that connection, it is estimated that the new facilities, when fully operational, will prevent the emission of roughly 80 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Upcoming projects
The next projects that the Office of Environment is working on include photovoltaic pergolas across part of the Antoni Blanc Sports Centre car park, which will generate approximately 99 kWp, and five recharge points with 22 kWp of power each. Additional plans are being finalised to cover the main offices of the Consell de Formentera, in the Plaça de la Constitució, with an installation that will produce 17 kWp of clean energy.

Councillor Tur stressed that these actions, in addition to improving energy efficiency, "will help raise awareness about current actions among islanders who use the facilities and the public at large." The Consell is currently spearheading the creation of two energy communities in the area of Sant Francesc as part of VPP4 Islands. The initiative, which Formentera joined in 2020, incorporates technological innovation to promote the use of renewable energies in Europe.

In that regard, the Office of Environment is finalising the cross-cutting Action Plan for Climate and Sustainable Energy (PACES), which proposes varying lines of action and that will set the path forward for the island's energy policy.

8 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Office of Environment of the Consell de Formentera is processing 46 disciplinary proceedings for noise pollution in view of reports filed by Formentera Local Police last year. Most of the associated fines fall under Article 18 of the Municipal Ordinance for the Protection of the Environment and Health against Noise and Vibration Pollution, which prohibits disrupting collective coexistence. Violations are punishable by fines of up to €750 for minor offences and up to €3,000 for very serious offences. Under the ordinance, committing more than one minor offence in a period of fewer than two years is considered a serious offence, while more than one serious offence in the same period warrants a very serious offence.

New noise plan and modified ordinance
The Office of Environment is finalising the Municipal Action Plan on Noise, noise map and noise zoning map of Formentera. This plan "will help improve islanders' quality of life and our environment and will allow us to promote policies to improve environmental quality", said Antoni Tur, environment councillor.

The new noise plan "mean Formentera can modify its current ordinance, which dates from 2014, and study increasing fines." Likewise, the councillor stressed that "coordination with other competent administrations and security forces will be key to preventing noise pollution in sensitive and protected areas of the island."

The plan is divided into three phases. The first involves preparing the noise map and acoustic zoning; second, drafting the Municipal Action Plan on Noise; and third, a proposed modification of the current Municipal Noise Ordinance and the declaration of Special Noise Protection Zones (ZPAE). Moreover, given the uniqueness of the island, two different noise maps, for high and low season, have been established.

This document will mean urban planning and economic activity decisions can be evaluated according to acoustic criteria, and will put Formentera in line with European, state and regional regulations on noise pollution.

3 February 2023
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera