Quintana has expressed its satisfaction for the compliance of the procedures in time and form, which demonstrates the commitment of all the parties involved. “The eradication of the Mexican nenúfar, an invasive exotic species included in the Spanish Catalogue of Invasive Exotic Species, is a priority for us. This project required addressing an environmental problem that is the result of dialogue and collaboration between institutions such as the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation (CHG), the Junta de Extremadura and the Badajoz City Council,” he said.
In 2024, the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation submitted the request to begin the procedure to carry out an intervention focused on the eradication of the Mexican nenúfar in the Guadiana basin. The action affects 38 kilometers of the river, including its passage through the municipal area of Badajoz and its tributaries, the Cabrera stream and the Gévora river.
The project includes the removal of all nenúfar stains and the disinfection of sludge accumulated over the years, which have facilitated the proliferation of this species in the urban section. In addition, work is being carried out to improve the permeability of the Granadilla and Pesca Blues through the installation of gates.
The implementation of the work defined in the project will be divided into two phases, an initial phase comprising all the sections of rivers affected up to the motorway bridge and other downstream up to the border with Portugal. The forecast is that the works could be completed in 2029, with a budget of approximately 25 million euros.
Together with the president of the CHG, Samuel Moraleda, the government delegate has emphasized the importance of complying with the commitments made and the established deadlines. “The agreement reached is the response that the citizens expected from us. Our job has been to bring all parties together to reach the necessary understanding and make this action a reality.” Quintana has announced that once the resolution is published in the BOE, it will convene the Follow-up Committee of the project of which the Badajoz City Council and the Junta de Extremadura are part.