The Government is easing the closure of campsites in flood-prone areas.

BarcelonaWhile awaiting the results of the review of flood risk maps, which should allow for the identification of which activities and infrastructure are located in "preferential flow zones"—where measures to evacuate the population or contain the consequences are practically impossible in the event of a natural disaster—the Generalitat (Catalan government) already has a plan to protect campsites from closure. The executive branch will approve this Tuesday a decree-law of urgent measures to study the viability of campsites located in priority flood risk areas. In addition, a government agreement will be approved to create an economic recovery fund for accommodations at risk in the event of sudden storms or river floods.

The government's aim is to "seek the survival" of these accommodations and, therefore, minimize the risk of closure, especially in those municipalities where campsites play "an essential role in the local economy." Therefore, it will conduct a study of the degree of vulnerability of the facilities "on a case-by-case basis." It will do so based on the results of the flood maps that are already in progress, although the conclusions were expected before the end of 2024.

In November, shortly after the tragic DANA in the Valencian Country, the Minister of Territory, Silvia Paneque, specified that there were 16 . littoral) and promised to act decisively in those areas where the safety of users was not guaranteed.

Now, however, the government is backing down in a gesture of caution—especially due to the clashes with the camping sector, with whom it met this Monday—and explains that until the technicians complete the maps, they will not be able to specify the extent of the impact. The use of early warning technologies for flood risk will also be assessed once their scientific validity has been verified before making decisions. "We are at the zero point of the project: the cornerstone is the maps, and for now we have no specific area predetermined," the government insists.

Owners and local governments

In the coming days, a technical committee will be created to begin the assessment and propose solutions for the affected facilities, and a government committee will be created to advise the Generalitat (Catalan Government) on any immediate measures. Some may be restrictive, such as reducing overnight stays in very high-risk areas, and others may involve the total or partial closure of businesses. In fact, government sources point out that at this time, it cannot be guaranteed that all activities will be preserved.

Due to the potential impact on the sector, the Government assures that all decisions will be made "in consensus" with the sector and, therefore, prefers to have this legal instrument in place before initiating the checks. Once the regulations are approved, the executive branch will act ex officio and launch the first reviews. in situ of the campsites that have a higher degree of flooding according to reports from the Catalan Water Agency, the Ebro Hydrographic Confederation, and Civil Protection.

The first actions will be carried out "immediately," before the summer season, and the territories or owners who obtain an unfavorable resolution, partial or total, will be eligible for the recovery fund, which will be under the control of the Ministry of Business and Labor. Although the Government has not specified what the initial allocation of the fund will be, they do detail that soft loans, direct aid, or competitive bidding may be granted. For example, to make corrections or compensate for a potential loss of pitches, whether they are owned by private owners or local entities.

The sector criticizes the methods

The Catalan Camping Federation (FCC) has positively valued the Catalan government's willingness to collaborate and has asserted that the sector has always been committed to "the urgency of reviewing and updating flood risk maps," as well as conducting a case-by-case assessment of the level of vulnerability of each accommodation. However, its president, Miquel Gotanegra, stressed that they are unaware of the content of the regulations and were surprised by the urgency of convening them this Monday. "Once again, we don't like the way they are," he emphasized, adding that they will analyze "in detail" everything the Catalan government is proposing. "We are the first interested in managing risks and we have a very clear priority: the safety of people," he concluded.

There are three factors to consider when considering campsites a priority in the face of the climate emergency: overnight stays limit evacuation speeds; in some areas, torrential rains can lead to materials being swept away or water absorption becoming difficult.