The association Ecologistas en Acción Lanzarote has presented allegations to the project promoted by the company Hermanos Ramírez Barreto SL for the mining extraction in the protected area of El Jable, in Teguise, under the name of the quarry project Arenera Hoya de La Plata. The environmental group has denounced serious irregularities in the environmental impact study of the project, before the General Directorate of Industry of the Ministry of Economy, Industry, Commerce and Self-Employed of the Government of the Canary Islands.
Likewise, Ecologistas en Acción Lanzarote has warned that if approved, it "could irreversibly affect the unique ecosystem" of El Jable. With this allegation, there are already three presented by the environmental association to other projects in the same area and with the same purpose. According to a press release, in the three previous projects it achieved the "paralysis of the authorization process for lacking an environmental impact assessment consistent" with the characteristics and environmental values of El Jable.
This association has criticized "the lack of rigor in the preparation of environmental impact studies", especially in projects that "affect biodiversity". Despite the existing protection measures and the ecological importance of the species in El Jable, "extraction proposals continue to be presented that put at risk an area already degraded by human activity".
Moreover, there are already numerous warnings from institutions such as the CSIC, GREFA and this Association itself about the importance of El Jable. "It has been shown how this habitat is the world genetic reserve of the Canarian houbara bustard and how little by little its habitat is decreasing, this being the only hope for its long-term survival", Ecologistas en Acción highlighted in a statement. Professor Nigel Collar, one of the leading experts on the species, has warned of the critical situation in which it finds itself.
It should be noted that the bustard is a symbolic species that is intimately related to 14 other species of birds of community interest declared, which inhabit the same space together with other animal and plant species that are also ignored. El Jable is "a territory with a natural and cultural importance that must be respected and not a barren area on which any activity fits", the association recalled.
Specifically, the allegation presented states that the environmental impact study presented is "incomplete, biased and lacking adequate scientific methodology".
Among the main errors detected, Ecologistas en Acción has highlighted:
- Absence of solid studies on the affected fauna and flora. Key species are omitted and statements are made without scientific basis about their presence in the area.
- Lack of alternatives to the project. The study does not assess alternative locations or examine scenarios of non-intervention.
- Erroneous assessment of environmental impacts. The effects of extractive activity on the soil, biodiversity, landscape and cultural heritage are underestimated.
- Use of repealed regulations. The document cites obsolete laws, which shows a serious lack of technical rigor.
To conclude, Ecologistas en Acción Lanzarote has requested the public administrations to "deny the authorization of the project, given that it violates environmental and territorial legislation, and that the protection of El Jable is reinforced as an area of high ecological, cultural and heritage value".
