Doñana National Park

Toxic flow from a mine holding pool (issue resolved)

Previous deliberations:
Twenty-third ordinary session of the Bureau – paragraph IV.39
Twenty-third session of the Committee – paragraph X.26
Twenty-fourth ordinary session of the Bureau – paragraph IV.39
Twenty-fourth session of the Committee – paragraph VIII.27 / Annex X page 116.

Main issues: mining spill in 1998.

New information: The Permanent Delegation of Spain informed the Centre that a meeting was foreseen on 20 April 2001 by the authorities concerning the follow-up to the "Donana 2005" Conference.

Project Doñana 2005: IUCN has received a report on the Doñana National Park, which welcomes the initiation of a number of recommendations from the Project Doñana 2005, but notes that progress continues to be slow despite the importance of this project.  In May 2001 the Project established its Scientific Board, however there has been little scientific input into the Project’s activities.  A new co-ordinator for the project has been appointed and it is expected that this will help to speed up project implementation.  The report notes that some of the recommendations from the October 1999 Seminar are still to be acted upon, for example, in relation to: coordination; definition of public riverine domain; watershed restoration; promotion of sustainable agriculture; development of pilot projects; and prospective studies.

Expansion of the Port of Seville: The information received also noted with concern a proposal to expand the Port of Seville, up the Guadalquivir River and outside the World Heritage site. This project will be funded by sea shipping subventions of the EU.  The project includes the construction of new port facilities, for which it will be necessary to correct the course of the Guadalquivir River, the estuary of which is the west boundary of the World Heritage site. This will require dredging and deepening of the river channel, removing around 9.5 Million cubic meters of sediment that will be dumped in the estuary.  An EIA, prepared for this investment by the Port Authorities of Seville, met with considerable criticism and, as a result, the project was temporarily stopped.  It has been reported in local press that an agreement has been found between the rice farmers of the area and the Guadalquivir Hydrographical Confederation that may help to promote the implementation of the project – e.g.: the inclusion of a sluice to mitigate the effects from new saline intrusions.

IUCN has received detailed information on the state of conservation of the site.  It provides the following information:

1.        Management Plan: The National Park Management Plan is still under discussion and as such is behind the original schedule, however notable progress has been made in the prevention and reduction of possible conflicts with stakeholders, and a new draft is expected to be publicly released soon.

2.        Iberian Lynx: The Iberian lynx is experiencing a major decline in numbers due to the scarcity of its major food source, the rabbit. The lynx population fell from 50 individuals in 1990 to 30 in 2000, with not more than 5 reproducing females (National Census by Pereira & Robles, 2000).  Further, the lynx habitat is being damaged and reduced by overgrazing, by annual pilgrimages, and there is concern with regard to the impact road infrastructure outside the Park is having on the lynx population (since 1982, 25 lynx have been killed by vehicles).

3.        Imperial Eagle: The imperial eagle population has also declined, with only seven territories being occupied in 2000, compared to fifteen in 1988. The electricity line mortality has fallen; however the lack of rabbits, environmental pollution (with effects on fertility) and poisoning continue as the major causes of death outside the Park.

4.        Rocío Pilgrimage: The Rocío Pilgrimage, which takes place twice a year, involves large numbers of pilgrims (1,500,000 in June, 400,000 in September), travelling from their origins to El Rocío village at the northern boundary of the Park. Those originating in the Cadiz Province (south of Doñana) travel two-three days/nights through the Park. The problems faced by the Park are mostly related to garbage, forest fires, and traffic congestion.  However, a small northern stretch of the Park is not fenced and this is where pilgrims from Sevilla pass through.  This northern crossing also lies in the middle of the important lynx habitat, and therefore requires joint control and management by the Park and Regional authorities.  It is reported that a major campaign was launched last year to raise awareness amongst various institutions on the impacts of the pilgrimage on the Park.  Nonetheless, this year's pilgrimage left huge amounts of garbage, and a vandalised Doñana Research Centre. An agreement to reduce traffic on the Rocío-Cádiz route through the Park has been signed after long negotiations.

5.        Grazing: After long negotiations, the Park and livestock holders have approved a Plan for management of grazing, and a Committee has been established to implement it.  To date, no concrete reductions in grazing levels have been achieved, and, as mentioned previously, this is impacting on the restoration project in the Matasgordas.

6.        Road Construction: The impact of road building outside the Park on Doñana and its wildlife populations is of concern. Almost every road in the area has been renewed or enlarged in the last decade, leading to an increase in speed and volume of traffic.  Many of the roads have significant impacts on the migration routes of mammals, including the endangered lynx.

7.        Illegal Water Extraction:  Illegal water extraction for rice, cotton and strawberry farming is occurring on the Northern and Western boundaries of the Park.  This could lead to long term effects, which include degradation of the groundwater body, and drying out of temporary lagoons and ash forests. 

8.        Restoration Plan for Aznalcollar Mine: Environmental organisations and institutions in the area are concerned with the Restoration Plan that Boliden-Apirsa has submitted for the Aznalcollar mine.  Although 76% of the planned restoration work has already been completed, there are concerns with insufficient isolation of the broken tailings dam in the Southern border, an insufficient cover of the rock dumps, and the reliability of data about the water-sludge level in the mining pits, which could effect the groundwater layer in future. Another concern lies with the funding for the required restoration works: Apirsa has declared bankruptcy, Boliden Ltd has denied any responsibility, and no official statement has been made by the Regional Department for Works.

The requested follow-up Conference has been scheduled from 26 to 28 November 2001 in Huelva and UNESCO, IUCN and the Ramsar Convention have been invited to participate. The Bureau therefore may wish to review any new information available at the time of its session and may wish to revise the proposed decision below.