The Aragon regional authorities held a decisive stance as a union was renounced tied to the ski areas of Astún and Formigal, funded with European money. In a letter also shared with the Minister of State for Tourism, President Javier Lambán argued that it would be outrageous to forfeit 26.4 million euros allocated for an alternative use. The project sparked protests from several social groups who warned about its environmental footprint.
During a Thursday press conference, Huesca Provincial Assembly Speaker Miguel Gracia laid out the situation surrounding the plan to connect the two winter resorts through Canal Roya, stressing that he would not engage in disputes over judicial matters. He noted growing opposition from environmental organizations and some political parties, while underscoring that the core issue was the lack of an Environmental Impact Statement and the project timetable.
A press briefing captured his sense of sadness and admitted that relinquishing the 26 million euros from the European fund would be painful, yet the greater harm would be losing them to another purpose. He said the decision had to be explained with a clear conscience after raising concerns in prior meetings where the message had not been fully understood. He stated that the project cannot proceed under current deadlines, processing times, and status.
The speaker recalled that the Huesca County Council, as outlined in the General Plan of Autonomous Interest (PIGA), should not be viewed as a mere bystander but as a tool to implement the plan, with Formigal backing the effort. Both the council and the towns and the business community had agreed at the outset. Gracia echoed Marta Gastón, the Economy Minister, in lamenting the idea that all responsibility lay with a single party when everyone involved had to contribute.
Gracia also pointed to inconsistencies in statements made by Presidential Minister Mayte Pérez, who asserted that those who handle the funds know they must be used appropriately if all legal issues are resolved.
Environmental Impact Statement
Nothing can proceed on land that lacks an Environmental Impact Statement, Gracia emphasized, noting that neither technicians nor the law permit it.
The project does not have an EIS; PIGA is not complete, and there is no verified land or convincing program. Initial timelines were set at twelve months, later eight, and now the estimate suggests six months, a schedule that falls short of the usual nine months for standard procedures, with Castanesa’s PIGA approval taking nearly three years.
Gracia summarized gaps in the legal and economic analyses backing the deal, stressing that cable transport cannot be advanced without changes in legislation and in the current parliamentary makeup.
There was also no economic agreement with the Government of Aragon to relieve the Provincial Assembly of decisions about future steps. The difference between the remaining investment and the European funds of 26 million versus the estimated total cost of 34 million remained a central point of contention.
Gracia noted that the Aragon Transparency page shows the final project cost as 38 million rather than 34 million. He added that according to the program, PIGA and the Environmental Impact processes were initiated in 2022 and have not begun as of today.
Special bird conservation areas
Gracia indicated that the project’s impact on a ZEPA, a special bird sanctuary, was not initially known by the station association. With no response, they interpreted this as a lack of action from the Regional Planning authorities.
He said inquiries were made to the Aragon Institute of Environmental Management regarding the DIA (informative environmental assessment) process. The reply indicated it was only a formal notice from Formigal to start the process, and until questions are resolved by Land Management, the DIA processing would not commence.
The head of the Diputación urged the DGA to confirm in writing whether PIGA could serve as the basis for a direct bidding for works under public sector contracting law, without a formal technical project. At present, this remains unclear and is shaped by municipal agreements, with consensus reportedly blocked until a participatory path emerges that identifies where the project should go and secures the necessary land for installation in Astún.
Gracia stated that the Provincial Assembly asked INAGA to declare the land a matter of public interest, and insisted there had been no paralysis in administrative management that would imply reliance on him to stop the project. He told the municipalities of Jaca, Canfranc and Sallent that they had begun the process, while Jaca indicated it would not facilitate procedures without a clear consensus.
He concluded that if the Aragon Government were clear about schedules, dates, PIGA, and the environmental declaration, a joint contract could be formed with leadership from the relevant authorities. He suggested that the legislator could shorten timelines with more technicians in a higher administration. Gracia stated he would have no issue with this and conveyed the stance to both the EU and Lambán.
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There is no public contact information for the environment department included in this update.