Funding available for the cleaning and maintenance of stream sections crossing or bordering agricultural and livestock holdings in the Balearic Islands will amount to €907,242.59, compared with the €300,000 initially allocated, after 28 applications were submitted for the same total amount.
The Regional Ministry of the Sea and Water Cycle announced the increase during a meeting held on Monday at the headquarters of the Consell Insular de Menorca. The meeting was attended by Regional Minister Juan Manuel Lafuente, Director General for Water Resources Joan Calafat, Menorca’s Executive Councillor for Economy and General Services Maria Antònia Taltavull, and representatives of agricultural organisations on the island, including AGRAME.
The grant scheme was approved in June with an initial allocation of €300,000. It covers work on streams crossing or bordering agricultural and livestock holdings.
Eligible measures include clearing and cleaning, waste removal, the elimination of invasive species, revegetation and the reconstruction of dry-stone walls.
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Balearic Islands stream-cleaning grants for agricultural holdings rise to €907,242. Menorca accounts for 22 of the 28 applications
Following the end of the application period, the Directorate General for Water Resources recorded 28 applications worth a combined €907,242.59. The available funding has been increased to that amount to cover projects that meet the requirements established by the grant scheme.
Menorca accounts for most of the applications. Of the 28 submitted across the Balearic Islands, 22 are from holdings in Menorca, representing 78.57% of the total. They amount to €781,879.88, or 86.18% of the overall funding requested.
Mallorca recorded five applications worth €115,287.21, while Ibiza registered one application for €10,075.50.
The scheme involves holders of agricultural and livestock properties in work connected with the conservation of watercourses passing through their land.
AGRAME had informed the Regional Ministry that, based on the applications known among its members, the initial allocation could be insufficient and had requested an increase in funding to cover eligible work meeting the conditions of the scheme.
The subsidised work focuses on the maintenance and conditioning of streams, including measures aimed at keeping watercourses clear of obstacles and reducing erosion and degradation.
The initiative also forms part of activities related to INUNCAIB, the special plan addressing flood risk.