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The uncontrolled increase and lack of regulation of activities taking place in the Mar Menor catchment area has had a significant impact on the lagoon. It has been necessary to update and improve the legal framework, as well as establish greater oversight over individuals and economic activities regarding the application of the laws for greater protection that reverses the pollution of the affected water bodies and allows for the reestablishment of the boundaries between the public and private sectors. Comprehensive measures have been implemented to strengthen legal oversight on various fronts and to restore natural elements belonging to the public domain through the process of demarcating the Public Hydraulic Domain (PHD) and the Maritime Terrestrial Domain (MTPD).

The progress described in this section seeks to establish greater protection against pollution with the necessary regulations to prevent activities harmful to the Mar Menor ecosystem and its catchment basin, strict compliance with existing regulations, and the reestablishment of boundaries between public and private domains through the process of demarcating the Public Domain.

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Legal framework

Various regulatory actions have been approved that may be relevant to the recovery of the lagoon and its catchment area. (See 07 regulatory reforms ).

Some MAPMM actions have been declared of general interest so that they can be carried out by the General State Administration (Royal Decree-Law 27/2021, of November 23, extending certain economic measures to support recovery).

The declaration of the Campo de Cartagena groundwater body (MASub) as at risk requires the approval of an action plan for it (in preparation), and the final censuses of users of the Quaternary and Andalusian aquifers have already been published.

Until its approval, the precautionary measures established in July 2020 must be complied with. Link to precautionary measures: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-B-2020-24791

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Establish limits in the territory

These measures help restore natural elements that belong to the public domain, which leads to improved ecological connectivity, the development and conservation of habitats, and a reduction in the risk of flooding.

Among the milestones achieved is the approval of the demarcation of the Los Nietos DPMT (Regional Development Plan), ending a long period of legal uncertainty for the owners of the first and second lines of the seafront in this area.

The "Technical Guide for the Identification and Inventory of Ephemeral River Channels" has also been completed and submitted to the Ministry, along with the pilot study on Campo de Cartagena. It indicates that 271.72 km of the studied routes may meet the requirements for DPH status.

Restoration and control of legality

Comprehensive measures have been implemented to strengthen legal oversight, including an increase in personnel dedicated to monitoring and inspection, as well as the processing of administrative files, such as sanctioning files for illegal irrigation.
Efforts are also being coordinated to curb groundwater contamination and restore its quality. Precautionary measures are being implemented, which will remain in effect until the MASub Campo de Cartagena action plan is approved.
Discharge monitoring, with a focus on livestock farms, complements these initiatives to ensure effective environmental management and contribute to strengthening legal oversight.

Do you want to know the latest developments in measures?

MAPMM Progress Report