The DIA, consulted by Lusa news agency, assessed “the altered aspects and characteristics” of the Agroforestry Project of the Herdades de Murta and Monte Novo, in Alcácer do Sal, as well as “the intended implementation site”.

In this assessment, the CCDR of Alentejo considers that the reformulated project “has significant to very significant negative impacts” on the conservation of nature and ecological systems, water and groundwater resources.

The impacts on nature conservation and ecological systems are “non-minimisable and cannot be compensated for, due to the irreversible impact on habitats 2150, 2250 and 2260, especially habitat 2260, which is more significant in the ZEC [Special Conservation Zone] Comporta-Galé”, it argues.

According to the CCDR of Alentejo, the project also causes negative impacts on water and groundwater resources “if we consider the cumulative impacts with other areas dedicated to intensive agricultural production, which are also large consumers of groundwater”.

“Since the Alcácer do Sal region is one of the regions potentially most affected in the long term, the project mainly raises questions in the context of adaptation to climate change”.

As regards land use planning, the CDDR took into account the “loss of dominant forestry use”, provided for in the Municipal Development Plan.

According to the Coordination Committee, the reformulated project does not meet the requirements necessary for its implementation, with the entire intervention area located in the Comporta-Galé and Sado Estuary SACs, and partly in the Murta Reservoir Special Protection Zone.

It also considers that the project “is not viable during the operating phase” because “it is not possible to use the surface water collection component”.

The initial project, by the company Expoente Frugal Lda, part of the Aquaterra group, envisaged the creation of “an agricultural area for the production of avocados with 722.24 hectares and a forestry production area of ​​1,415.85 hectares”.

However, the proposal, which did not receive a favourable opinion from the CCDR of Alentejo, was reformulated and envisaged a reduction in the plantation area to 658.44 hectares, a change in the area of ​​support structures and infrastructures to 76.04 hectares, the elimination of the Interpretive Centre of the Comporta-Galé ZEC and two of the 34 boreholes for water collection planned.

During the public consultation of the reformulated project, which took place between 26 June and 9 July, 1,188 submissions were received, of which 781 were dissenting, 395 were in agreement, six were general, four were complaints and two were suggestions.

Lusa news agency contacted the company to obtain a reaction to the rejection of the agroforestry project but has not yet received a response.