The government delegate in Extremadura, José Luis Quintana, today chaired the first meeting of the Follow-up Commission of the project for the eradication of the Mexican nenúfar in the Guadiana River. This meeting takes place after the recent favorable resolution of the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition on the Environmental Impact Statement to end this exotic plant.
The meeting was attended by the mayor of Badajoz, Ignacio Gragera; the councilor for Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development, Mercedes Morán, and Samuel Moraleda, president of the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation.
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. The forecast is that the works could be completed in 2029, with a budget of approximately 26 million euros, co-financed to 85% with European funds.
As already announced, the work will be divided into two phases. The first will cost 6.5 million, of which 4.5 million will go to the Tragsa company to undertake the initial work, plus 2 million for technical assistance. At the same time, the remaining EUR 20 million will be tendered for the next phase.
In her speech, Quintana reiterated the importance of collaboration between administrations to undertake projects of this kind to address an environmental problem, where dialogue and collaboration between institutions such as the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation (CHG), the Junta de Extremadura and the City of Badajoz is fundamental.