Agenda21: On Rain , and more rain, drought, sustainable tourism, General Plan, fruit crops and bees.
Chris Jones
Sixty years since Xàbia and Denia were rivers
24th Sept
Come October 1st it will be sixty years since Xàbia suffered the worst floods in its history. The rain gauges overflowed, so we can never be sure of the exact amount of rain, but it is reckoned to have been close to a metre of rain over three days, and a national record. The port area was severely damaged and at least one person lost their life. A detailed account is given in La Marina Plaza. For more information on Xàbia's floods see: Jávea Floods
Expect November and December to have more intense rain than normal
24th Sept
The rainfall in the Med, and Comunidad Valenciana in particular exhibit a high variability. Periods of drought alternate with very intense rain concentrated in a short time. Experts from the University of Alicante and the Spanish Met Office have warned that these effects are expected to be enhanced with climate change over the next decades, and there is concern that municipalities at risk are not properly prepared. Of the 542 municipalities in the region, 300 are at flood risk, with 50 at serious risk. Many of the recommended infrastructures to mitigate against flood have not been constructed, partially because of the conflicting competence of different agencies. From Las Provincias Sunday 24th Sept. print edition.
Cheaper road tax for electric vehicles in Xàbia
Sept 20th
From 2018 electric vehicles will pay 75% less road tax in Xàbia. This is "the legal maximum allowed" Hybrid vehicles will pay half of what they have been paying so far. According to Mayor Chulvi, "this measure is in tune with our global commitment to sustainability" and therefore "it is necessary to wager on clean technologies and provide facilities to users." The town council has indicated that it is studying the installation of charging points in different areas of the municipality, as well as the reservation of parking spaces. From: Xàbia al Día
Citrus crop down 20% next season, but prices maintained
20th Sept
The forecast of citrus production in the Comunitat Valenciana for the 2017/2018 marketing year stands at 3,143,984 tonnes, which represents a 20% decrease compared to the previous season. The higher yields and lower volume will be due to the natural alternation of citrus cultivation, the reduction of the cultivated area by "2,000 hectares" and the rise of other products such as persimmon. Another reason for this decline in production is the climatic effect, namely the abundant rains at the end of 2016 and the high temperatures in May that affected the setting of the fruit. From: Las Provincias
Yes, it rains more on the Montgó
A map generated from data supplied by Meteoxàbia for the year 2016/2017 shows the distribution of rainfall in the Xàbia municipality.
The Montgó experiences, and generates the most rain, since warm air and clouds are forced to rise over the mountain, generating rainfall.
This year, the Arenal has had unusually low rainfall, perhaps because the light rain on Montgó has not been sufficient to affect this area which lies between two contrasting zones: Montgó to the north and Cap de la Nau to the south, which have had more rain than usual. from La marina Plaza.
279 allegations received about new general Town Plan
Sept 12
As of today, Xàbia has 30 days to resolve nearly 300 allegations that have been submitted to the General Structural Plan (PGE). To date 279 registered lettrs have been received though these may be added to by post sent before September 11. Once the Town Hall resolves the allegations and makes the modifications to the text, it will forward the PGE to the Ministry of the Environment and expects a period of between 4 and 6 months for final approval. from Xabia Town Hall website
Xàbia organises Forum on Sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean
Sept 11
This being the international year of sustainable tourism, Xàbia Town Hall is organising a regional forum entitled: "Mediterrànea Xàbia Forum - Destins Sostenible" in the Parador on 26th and 27th October. This initiative aims to collaborate and exchange ideas with other Mediterranean destinations and share their values, and also examine the threats we face in terms of sustainability (management and conservation of high value natural areas, cultural impact, overcrowding, economic impacts, conflicts of coexistence). The topics selected for this first edition are political, technical, cultural, business, academic and those associated with our environment. The forum will consist of presentations and round tables with invited panelists. Members of the public are invited to sign up to attend either or both days of the forum. See: Mediterranea Xabia Forum
After a long, dry summer, Spain’s drought intensifies
Sept 5th
Cumulative rainfall so far in the hydrological year, which runs from October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017, is down 12%, according to Ana Casals, a spokeswoman for the State Agency of Meteorology (Aemet). This makes 2017 the third driest year, behind 1981 and 2005. Up to 37 of 150 districts in Spain were in an “emergency” situation due to water shortages at the end of June, according to the latest data. This is the most serious level of classification. Water reserves are almost 26% below the average of the last 10 years. For full story see: El Pais in English
Mayor meets residents about proposed northern ring road
Sept 3rd
Mayor José Chulvi and councillor Isabel Bolufer (Town Planning) met with representatives from the homeowners association of Camí Soberana as well as a group of residents who live in Calle Italia, two roads which stood be greatly affected in the draft General Plan (PGOU) which is currently under public consultation. …After listening to the concerns of residents from both zones, the mayor and councillor agreed to reduce the proposed dimensions of these roads which would leave them as one-way streets. In the case of Camí Soberana, the mayor offered the resident's association a solution which would leave the road as it is currently without changing a centimetre. However, the residents acknowledged the need to adapt it to the 21st century and improve its safety with pavements and services such as public lighting and connection to the sewage system. Consequently, the Council will set it out in the PGOU with a maximum width of eight metres and with a layout similar to that which was drawn up for a 1990 plan which was never developed. For full story see: Javeamigos.
Record Tourism in Spain for July
Sept 3rd
July has pulverized all existing tourism records in Spain. Never before have so many foreign visitors arrived in the country in a single month: 10.51 million, compared with the previous record of 10.02 million, which was set in August of last year, according to the National Statistics Institute (INE)…The July record comes on the back of a year-on-year rise of 10.1% in tourist arrivals. Britain remains Spain’s biggest market, with 2.31 million British tourists coming here last month, representing 22% of all foreign visitors. France contributed 1.55 million tourists, and Germany 1.4 million. For full story see:El Pais in English
Electricity demand in southern Europe to soar with air con – scientists
Sept 3rd
Demand for electricity is set to soar in southern Europe as climate change takes hold, research has revealed, with the effect likely to be down to a boom in the use of air conditioning. By contrast, electricity demand is expected to drop in northern countries, leading to an increasingly polarised pattern across the continent – a situation, the researchers say, that bolsters the case for greater integration of electricity supplies across Europe, particularly given the shift to renewable energies…The authors warn the polarisation would be strongest at the end of the century in a scenario where nothing is done to tackle global warming. In this case, the authors say the average maximum daily electrical power demand of Spain and Portugal could rise by up to 5-7% by the end of the century. For full story see: The Guardian
The drought from hell has arrived in Spain
Sept 3rd
Reservoirs without water, expansive desert–like fields, lost crops, and wildfires. These are all symptoms of the persistent drought in Spain. The reservoirs are at their lowest levels since the 1990s. Those along the Segura river, which flows through Albacete, Murcia, Alicante and Almería, have reached alarming lows. The European Environment Agency published a report early this year warning about the impact that climate change would have on the Mediterranean region of the continent, which is more exposed to global warming. Many of these effects are already underway: reduced rainfall, wildfires, and heat waves that increase demand for air conditioning. For full story see: El Pais in English.
Only three of 10 Marina Alta municipalities rated at risk have Municipal Action Plans against floods
August 30th
Ten of the 33 municipalities of Marina Alta are at flood risk as listed by the Generalitat Valenciana and are therefore obliged to have Municipal Action Plans (MAP). However just three, Xàbia, Ondara and El Verger, already have a plan. Denia, Calp, Teulada, Pedreguer, Xaló, Els Poblets and the Vall de Gallinera, however, are obliged to have one because their municipalities are classified as high or intermediate risk. The list also includes Calp and Pedreguer, although these two are not obliged because they are low risk. For some reason, Xàbia's plan does not appear on the Generalitat's list even though the town has had one since 2014. From: La Marina Plaza.
Spain to recall 20,000 tonnes of fruit due to overproduction
August 25th
The European Commission has approved the Spanish government’s request to recall nearly 20,000 tonnes of peaches and nectarines from the market due to excess production. According to the ministry’s calculations, this will bring the total of the quantities recalled from the market to around 40,000 tonnes. Some 21,000 tonnes have already been withdrawn this summer. The objective of this initiative is to withdraw surplus production from the market – mainly due to the Russian veto on European fruit and vegetables – in order to stimulate prices. The 19,550 tons of peach and nectarine will be directed to the production of juice and for the benefit of food banks, which will distribute them to the poor. From: Euractiv
Xàbia mayor makes assurances about the General Plan, Granadella and Tourism
August 24th
Local social media has been ripe with rumours and counter-rumours, inaccuracies and allegations about a number of issues, particularly to do with the draft General Plan which has been available for public scrutiny since June and the Granadella shuttle bus project which has enraged many residents in Costa Nova. In response, mayor José Chulvi offered to try and answer some of those queries and questions in a special interview provided to javeamigos.com. For full interview see: Javeamigos
Ed's note: For readers' convenience I have posted the text of the interview on this Wiki page: Chulvi Interview August 2017
Spanish honey production drops, as bees disappear
August 24th
Honey production in Spain dropped 4.08% last year, the country’s agriculture ministry warned. A decline in bees, which pollinate between 5% and 8% of global food production, poses a serious threat the food chain. The drop in honey production breaks the growing trend that started in 2012, according to the annual report on economic indicators published by Spain’s ministry of agriculture, fisheries, food and the environment (Mapama). In 2016, Spain produced 32,076 tonnes of honey, signalising a drop in volume of 7.35% compared to the volume obtained only five years ago. But bee numbers are falling rapidly due to habitat loss, climate change, invasive species and pesticide use. Research by the European Commission found that 9.2% of bee species are endangered. “The largest numbers of threatened species are located in south-central Europe,” highlights a report dated April 2017. “The main threat to European bees is habitat loss as a result of agriculture intensification (e.g. changes in agricultural practices including the use of pesticides and fertilisers), urban development, increased frequency of fires and climate change.” For full story see: Euractiv
Montgó fire protection extended until the end of September
August 20th
Dénia and Xàbia, with the collaboration of Gata de Gorgos and Pedreguer, have agreed that the surveillance work will be extended until 30 September. Noting that the Montgó fire of 2014 and Granadella fire last year both took place in September, with the fire risk remaining high during that month despite the lower air temperatures. From: La Marina Plaza.
Rescued turtle to be released in Xàbia
August 20th
On Tuesday 22 August, the Oceanogràfic will release a turtle (Caretta caretta) on the coast of Xàbia . This turtle, numbered 297, arrived at the Oceanogràfic facility in Valencia last January from Cullera, where it was accidentally caught by a trawler. This release is part of the Xàbia Oceanogràfic Project, which, is being developed in the municipality with the aim of spreading information about the benefits of marine biodiversity. Before the turtle's release it will be given a name, chosen through a competition organised among the children of the 'Children's Autonomous Championship of Sailing by Teams' of the Yacht Club. From: Xabia al Dia
One hundred Kilos of rubbish in a single day
August 20th
Volunteers have collected 100 kilos of rubbish from the Cala Sardinera in a single day. The cleaning work is part of an environmental regeneration program involving young people from the United States and Malaysia. From: La Marina Plaza
Protests about possible Northern Ring Road
August 20th
A letter has been presented to the Town Hall against the inclusion of a northern Ring Road in the new general town plan. The route currently exists as a very narrow lane through the Soberana neighbourhood, a traditional area of old houses and narrow lanes. It it were to be built, it would necessitate the expropriation of land, possible demolition of buildings and destruction of character of the area (From: Vilaweb . Eds Note: However it should be noted that this suggestion was included in the 1990 plan, and never acted upon. It remains in the new plan as a possible development in the long term.
Eight roundabouts proposed for the Jesus Pobre Road
August 20th
The Diputación de Alicante has revealed plans to drastically change the layout of the Carretera de Jesús Pobre CV-735 between Xàbia and La Xara by installing a network of mini-roundabouts to improve safety along a stretch of road that has become renowned for accidents. A study into a five kilometre section of the road by the 'Área de Servicios e Infrastructuras, Departmento de Carreteras (Vías y Obras)' suggested that the majority of accidents had been caused by vehicles turning left across the carriageway or trying to access the main road from side roads with limited visibility and has proposed that a series of mini-roundabouts would eliminate these risks, especially those with limited visibility, and improve road safety. For full story see: Javeamigos There will be two types of roudabout - six with a diameter of six metres, and two with a diameter of 8 metres. from La Marina Plaza
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Cullen Hightower