The PAN questioned the City Council of Olhão on the «possible practice of environmental crime in the middle of the riverside», more precisely near the T Pier, where an access ramp to the maritime area of the local recreational port was built, using «tonnes of construction and demolition waste (RCD)', for the removal of sludge and garbage from the bottom of the concession area, next to the T Wharf.
The People-Environment-Nature party is questioning the legality of this intervention, which is being carried out in broad daylight by the recreational port concessionaire, «without being marked or identified, and it requires an Environmental Incidence Assessment previous for being in a special protection zone (ZPE)».
As revealed to the newspaper Público Castelão Rodrigues, regional director of the Conservation of Nature and Forests, the assessment made by this entity, responsible for the Natural Park of Ria Formosa (PNRF), to the request for authorization by the promoters of the intervention «was unfavorable, for not the environmental impact study that we requested has been presented'.
However, said the same person in charge, authorization was granted to clean up the garbage.
Contacted by Sul Informação, António Pina, mayor of Olhão, said that the licensing of this work did not go through the local authority, nor did it have to go through, "because it was being carried out in the Public Maritime Domain".
Whoever has jurisdiction in this area "is Docapesca", which will have been the one who authorized the intervention. However, in an intervention of this nature, and because it is an area included in the PNRF, the ICNF also has its say – and binding.
What is certain is that, even without the authorization of the latter entity, the intervention progressed.
«The PAN visited the site and, as can be seen in the photographs, it was observed that the backhoe removes potentially contaminated sludge from the surrounding area, placing it in trucks, which are then transported and deposited in an open ditch at the place where the construction work takes place. future infrastructure of the Porto de Recreio de Olhão», describes this party.
«These sludges, as they are contaminated sediments, must be analyzed in advance in order to know their degree of contamination and subsequent correct conditioning and final destination», defends the PAN.
António Pina, for his part, speaks of “trash that was left there over the years, like nets”. But there is also, recalled the PAN, a pipeline that ends right next to the place where the ramp was made, which “for several years now discharges urban and industrial wastewater from old illegal connections to the rainwater collection network, a regrettable situation that should have been resolved a long time ago».
“The sediments have been deposited on the site for decades and any intervention will be dangerous, as it will release heavy metals and organic compounds into the marine ecosystem. The final destination of these sludges must also be specific for their degree of contamination, and it is visible in the photographs that the sediments should not be classified as “clean dredged”», adds the same party.
Photos: PAN People-Animals-Nature
Help us to do the Sul Informação!
Contribute your donation so that we can continue to make your journal!
Click here to support us (Paypal)
Or use our IBAN PT50 0018 0003 38929600020 44
Comments