Board of Trustees of the Sierra y Cañones de Guara Natural Park (Barcabo 20-11-2024)

The minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held in Aínsa on 24-1-2024 are approved. Different cases are presented in periurban areas that do not involve environmental impact of actions in Undeveloped Land. The management report of 2023 is presented, in which it is indicated that the figure of 400 pairs of bearded vultures in Guara is a misprint, since there are 12. From the environmentalist groups (FCQ) reference is made to the management of the interpretation centers, stating the need to update their contents so that they do not lose their relevance and attractiveness and that their poor location has a direct impact on the low number of visitors. In relation to the study of evaluation of the incidence of canyoning, it is noted that no response has been given to the request of the FCQ to create a working commission. The FAM representative comments that the study was biased and does not consider it valid. The environmentalist representative (SEO) stated that the study is rigorous, although everything can be improved. With respect to the state of execution of the works for 2024 (investments and subsidies), SEO asks if the design and updating of the Park’s signage has taken into account the signs of quiet areas destined for raptor breeding territories, the technician answers that they have been foreseen. Regarding the forecasts for 2025, the budget will be the same. Regarding the status of the renewal of the PRUG, it is stated that it will be activated during 2024. The FCQ asks about our unanswered request regarding the willingness to participate. The President of the Board of Trustees answers that we are registered in the PRUG revision commission. The President explains the status of the northern axis road project, commenting that it is a legal mandate of the PRUG. There have been meetings of “minority and ill-intentioned” groups, and there is a risk of legal action. The Mayor of Ainsa and Boltaña stated that the Guarguera Viva Association is pursuing other interests and that basically their argument is that the investments should go to the Guarguera road itself. From the FCQ and SEO we state that although the impact of asphalting is moderate, its subsequent use is new and should be evaluated, just as the access can facilitate the extinction of fires, its future users can also provoke them. That we have not opposed, since the road connects villages and much of the route is already done, as long as economic resources are not detracted from the Park. And that it is also normal that there are different opinions and doubts regarding the need for large investments such as the one proposed. The General Director of Natural Environment affirms that he ratifies the political will and that in 2025 work will begin and that they are awaiting the report and permission of the CHE with respect to the bridge of the river Alcanadre. The Mayor of Aínsa requests information to the Board of Trustees on the progress made in this respect. In requests and questions the FCQ exposes: -We are working on the adequacy of the sections of the power lines of Bárcabo, Las Bellostas and Pueyo de Morcat, following the complaint and request of the FCQ to ENDESA and the Government of Aragón, due to the death of a bearded vulture in 2021 near Sarsa de Surta.

At the beginning of 2024 a meeting is held between INAGA, FCQ, Aínsa-Sobrarbe Town Council and ENDESA to agree on the execution of the adaptation according to INAGA’s resolution. During this month of November, ENDESA will present the reform project to be agreed with all the parties. -The Director of the Provincial Service of Environment and Tourism (Director of the Natural Protected Space-ENP-) has been requested to carry out a Mixed Commission on the regulation of climbing in the Natural Park of the Sierra and Canyons of Guara, the last meeting was held in March 2023. In January 2024 the Biodiversity Service of Huesca sent a response to the FCQ’s proposal for new quiet zones, pending resolution in the Mixed Commission, which was not held. -Action in Bagüeste, Los Vallones estate. The action developed by the FCQ in public forest of the Government of Aragon on 23.4 ha. within the framework of the Forest Bioeconomy project “Bio-For-Piri”, financed by the Biodiversity Foundation with PRTR funds, was presented. This is a pilot silvicultural intervention on wild reforestation pine forests planted around 1970. The objective is to create a more functional and mature forest and to favor the growth and life of the centenary oaks that are located in it, which could be extrapolated to a large part of the north side of the Natural Park. It has the authorization of the Government of Aragon. The price of the wood that will be used for shredding is low and it will probably be invested in the repair of the track for the transit of the trucks that have to remove it. The FAM representative asks about the Bastaras estate, the Government of Aragon comments that the situation is as it was in 2023. The FCQ requests recognition and farewell to José Ángel Pueyo, technical advisor of the Park for his upcoming retirement. He receives the applause of those present.