The Basque institutions and the neighborhood associations involved agree that the time has come to moving from complaints to concrete solutionsThe planned initiative aims not only to revitalize the enclave, but also to strengthen its role as strategic wetlands in the face of climate change in the Nervión Estuary, reducing flood risks and improving the environmental quality of the surroundings.
A protected wetland, small in size but key to the Erandio environment
The Astrabudua wetland is an ecosystem linked to Udondo stream, located about 5,4 meters above sea level and with an approximate surface area of 5,55 hectaresIt is officially recognized in the National Inventory of Wetlands and in the Sectoral Territorial Plan (PTS) for Wetlands of the Basque Country, documents that establish obligations for their conservation, restoration and for municipal urban planning.
Despite its relatively small size, the enclave maintains significant ecological values: vegetation typical of waterlogged areas, associated fauna and the presence of threatened species such as the spiny fishOn paper, it has remarkable protection, but in practice it has been subjected to pressures for decades that have gradually diminished its condition.
The area is located in a very beautiful environment. Human-modified, surrounded by housing, industrial parks and commercial areasIn addition to orchards and paths laid out on ancient alluvial terraces, this context has fostered both the informal occupation of public plots and the proliferation of irregular uses, some of them within the public water domain itself.
In recent decades, various constructions and the progressive drying up of the floodplain They have significantly reduced the floodable area. Today, the wetland, divided into three main basins, barely retains more than a little more than 5,5 hectares compared to the approximately nine that were attributed to it some thirty years ago, as neighborhood groups have recalled, demanding its restoration.
In addition to the physical cutbacks, the following have been detected: accumulated waste, invasive alien plants and loss of ecological connectivity with other areas in the surrounding environment. All of this results in a fragmented ecosystem, with limited habitat quality and a reduced capacity to fulfill key environmental functions.
Institutional commitment: roadmap for wetland recovery
The turning point occurred in a working meeting held on January 9 between URA and representatives of the associations Herri Bideak Kate Barik Elkartea y Auzokoa Herrikoi ElkarteaAt that meeting, the Basque Water Agency committed to activate the drafting and tendering of the hydrological restoration project, a demand that local groups had been making for years.
As explained by the CEO of URA, Asier López EtxebarriaThe intention is to "restore the wetland and improve its ecological connectivity," working together with Erandio City Council and social partners to ensure that each step has “legal certainty, environmental effectiveness and maximum transparency”. This commitment is part of the Basque strategy of adaptation to climate change, in initiatives such as BIK 2030 and within the KAIA framework.
The neighborhood associations, for their part, have chosen to focus on future proposals, pointing to the following as the main problems: spills into the environment, barriers that impede the natural flow of water, the existence of invasive speciesThey have also complained about the deficiencies in sanitation and the deterioration of the riverbank. active surveillance to stop further attacks and prevent illegal recruitment in the area.
URA has presented a roadmap structured in three main blocksThe first one focuses on the diagnosis and technical basisThis will be based on previous studies already carried out and adjusted to the criteria of the Wetlands Territorial Plan. These studies will serve as a guide to prioritize interventions and define the specific scope of the project.
The second block refers to the tender for the restoration project properly speaking. This document should include a detailed schedule of actions, a immediate surveillance plan to prevent further damage and a set of measures to improve the environmental quality of the wetland and its immediate surroundings.
Planned actions: sanitation, biodiversity and ecological connectivity
Among the measures being considered for the wetland's recovery, URA highlights several lines of action. One of the priorities will be the control and disposal of spills, both specific and diffuse, accompanied by a improving water quality which reaches the wetland from the Udondo stream and from nearby sanitation networks. The presence and management of aquatic plants It influences these processes and the quality of aquatic ecosystems.
Another key piece will be the removal of elements that interrupt the circulation of waterThe goal is to restore, as far as possible, the natural hydrology of the system. This includes removing structures that act as dams, overpasses, and other physical obstacles that alter flow dynamics and seasonal flooding capacity.
The project also includes a specific program to address the presence of invasive speciesprogressively replacing exotic vegetation with native riverside floraThis revegetation will help stabilize the soil, improve the habitat for local fauna and reinforce the ecological values of the enclave, especially for sensitive species such as the stickleback fish.
In addition to all this, basic actions will be taken riverbank cleanup and restorationThe work includes slope stabilization, waste removal, improved access, and, where necessary, the reorganization of existing paths to reconcile public use with conservation. The goal is for the wetland to recover its natural function without becoming completely isolated from the public.
The third major section of the roadmap involves the expansion of the ecological scopeURA will study the possibility of recovering historical wetland areas that are now outside the effective flood zone, as well as improving the connection with other nearby ecosystems, at least with Udondo, Lamiako and BolueIn this context, even the eventual acquisition of adjacent land if it is deemed necessary to ensure ecological continuity.
The role of the Erandio City Council and social participation
Implementing many of these measures requires a Close collaboration between URA and Erandio City CouncilThe Basque Water Agency already has a general protocol signed with the city council and plans to sign specific agreements to regulate the execution and future management of the works, clearly defining the responsibilities of each party.
In this division of tasks, the City Council will play a decisive role in matters such as land expropriations or the elimination of irregular uses, both on public plots invaded by orchards and on land belonging to private ownershipThe application of urban planning regulations and land management within their jurisdiction will be key to ensuring that the restoration of the wetland is not compromised in the medium term.
URA, for its part, will be responsible for developing the technical project, tendering the works, and coordinating environmental monitoring, always in accordance with the provisions of the Territorial Planning Scheme for Wetlands and regional planning instruments. The idea is that the wetland will have a stable legal and technical protectionthat goes beyond formal declarations.
The process will incorporate mechanisms for social participation and transparencyRegular follow-up meetings will be organized with neighborhood associations and other local stakeholders to report on progress, gather input and facilitate access to technical documentation and current collaboration agreements, respecting at all times the regulations on access to environmental information.
Furthermore, the restoration of Astrabudua will be integrated into the URA-powered tracking tools and in planning and dissemination programs such as BIK 2030 and the KAIA framework, reinforcing the technical coherence of the actions and their fit within the policies of adaptation to climate change and water management in Euskadi.
With the decision to promote the drafting and tendering of the restoration project, the Astrabudua wetland is at the center of a strategy that combines conservation, urban planning and community participationIf the commitments made by URA and the Erandio City Council are fulfilled, this area will be able to recover part of the lost surface area, improve its ecological status and play a prominent role as a reference wetland in the Ría, providing long-term environmental and social benefits for the entire municipality and its metropolitan area.
