esteve serra rodríguez

Cooperation between developers, competent authorities and universities in Catalonia.

Balance between aggregates supply and environmental protection

Esteve Serra Rodríguez

Responsible of Evaluation and Reclamation of Extractive Activities

Generalitat de CatalunyaDepartament de Medi Ambient i Habitatge

- 2 -Generalitat de CatalunyaDepartament de Medi Ambient i Habitatge

• Law 12/1981 (Generalitat de Catalunya) First specific rules, pioneer in Spain. Precedent established for

subsequent rules. Principle of reclamation, environmental impact evaluation,

preventive and compensatory measures. Developed by Decree 343/1983 Perceptive and binding report about the mining permission

authorisation. • Decree 114/1988 (Generalitat of Catalunya)

Environmental impact evaluation Complements Law 12/1981 and decree 343/1983 on Public

Information and broadcast the Environmental Impact Statement

Basic legislation in Catalunya


• AIMS:

Landscape and environmental protection Compatibility with economic sector Final integration with the environment

Enviromental management scheme of extractive activities in Catalunya 1/3


• TOOLS:Clear and simple legislation Environmental and landscape impact projectReclamation projectEnvironment impact statement and subsequent

environmental authorisation being a binding report in order to obtain the authorisation from the Mining Dept

Specific definition of the affected areasReclamation warrantyWarranty period before deposit refundingPeriodical controls. Final inspectionsSurveillance, monitoring and penalizing proceedings



• STRATEGIES:

Active administrative actions

Active collaboration with other bodies (extractive sector, universities, other administrations, etc.)



1981: Specific Administrative Department Specific administrative unit of Environmental

Management and Restoration of Extractive Activities 1987: Publication of the First Reclamation Guide

“Recomanacions tècniques per a la restauració i condicionament dels espais afectats per activitats extractives”

Environmental Education and Training Courses Contribution of solutions and studies of new techniques

Strategies: Active Administrative Action 1/5


1988: Progressive deployment of the Integrated Reclamation System amongst the surface mining activities

Concept: Simultaneous reclamation and mining activity. The mining working area is kept constant and it moves at the same time as the

mining and reclamation fronts.

Open and flexible concept: Adapted to the extraction / reclamation system.

Long term activity: Stages, Chronogram, Warranty Deposit split.

Results: Higher efficiency and savings Minimized of the affected area and the negative environmental impact



New solutions and techniques

Circa 1988: Study for the artificial edafic soil creation using authorized sub-products

1996: Edition of a guide for the Reclamation with mud from sewage treatment

1997: Study for the feasibility of creation of an artificial edafic soil using liquid pig excrements

Usage of authorised non mining related materials and sub products



Rules for the management of the natural areas within Natura 2000 network Allow extractive activities to continue the authorised works Minimised affected areas during mining life-cycle Compensatory measures applied in highly protected natural

areas that are affected by extractive industries such as Natura 2000 in order to promote natural spices, environments and biodiversity protection. These measures to be applied to new authorised works and/or new extended areas.



Rules for the management of the natural areas within Natura 2000 network Optimal reclamation of environments and spices Reclamation of abandoned mining areas promotion Definition of forbidden extractive areas such as

riverbank areas



Environmental education to developers Highly environmental valuable areas and spices promotion (Life -

EcoQuarry) Agreements and cooperation with universities (UB, UAB,

CREAF, UdLl) on research New reclamation and preservation techniques. Agreement with

Gremi d’Àrids about birds of steppe Creation of the Consell Assessor d’Àrids de Catalunya and the Grup

de Treball d’Àrids de Catalunya

Strategies: Active collaboration with other bodies


The experience from the management of natural environment affected by mining activity in Catalunya for more than 25 years can help to define the guideline to use in the future in Natura 2000.

The Environmental Impact Evaluation and the Reclamation Program as effective tools to protect and recover the environment and the landscape.

A sustainable balance between extracting activities within the Natura 2000 area boundaries and the needs of protection of the environment as well as society needs is possible.

Conclusions


Riverbank(art. 10 Directive: Lanscape Coherence)


Bordering extractives activities to Nature 2000(ZEPA: Secà de Balaguer)


Compensatory measures ZEPA(ZEPA: Secà de Balaguer)


Carbons de Berga(Paleonthological discoveries)


Croscat(Extinguished volcano)


Martinenca(Landscape replica)


Vulveralla(Riverbank)


Meandre Vell(Riverbank)


José XXVI(Riverbank)


Sanson(Artificial wet area)


Turó de Montcada(Authorisations prior to the legislation)


Cantera Maçanet(Artificial edafic soil)


Vallensana(Two-type reclamation)


Cooperation between developers, competent authorities and universities in Catalonia.

Balance between aggregates supply and environmental protection

Esteve Serra Rodríguez

Responsible of Evaluation and Reclamation of Extractive Activities

Generalitat de CatalunyaDepartament de Medi Ambient i Habitatge

esteve serra rodríguez

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