Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of June 15, 2026, from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment — environmental impact report for the project «Sand Relocation on the Coastal Edge of the Ebro Delta. Phase II (Tarragona)» |
|---|---|
| Publication | July 4, 2026 |
| Entry into force | July 4, 2026 |
| Affected parties | Municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita; tourism and fishing sector of the Ebro Delta |
| Category | Regulatory Changes — Environmental Impact Assessment |
| Sand volume | 475,000 m³ to be relocated within a three-year period |
| Previous phase | Phase I executed in 2022-2023 following storms Celia and Isaak |
The Ebro Delta coast has been losing sand for years due to coastal erosion and the effects of storms such as Celia and Isaak, which hit the area in 2022-2023. The institutional response began with a first phase of sand relocation executed during that same period. Now, the Resolution of June 15, 2026 from the General Directorate of Quality and Environmental Assessment gives the green light—with conditions—to Phase II of the project.
For companies and economic activities in the delta, this is not just an environmental matter: the stability of beaches and the coast is the foundation on which sun and beach tourism, aquaculture, and artisanal fishing in the area are sustained.
What does this regulation establish?
The resolution issues a favorable environmental impact report for Phase II of the sand relocation project on the coastal edge of the Ebro Delta. The project consists of moving sand from areas where it accumulates naturally to areas suffering erosion, using terrestrial mechanical means.
The key technical and environmental elements of the project are as follows:
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Volume to be relocated | 475,000 m³ of sand |
| Execution method | Terrestrial mechanical means |
| Execution period | Three years |
| Source areas | Natural sedimentation zones of the delta |
| Destination areas | Eroded zones in Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita |
| Precedent | Phase I executed in 2022-2023 following storms Celia and Isaak |
| Carbon footprint | Mandatory calculation, accepted by the promoter |
The report identifies specific environmental risks that must be mitigated with specific conditions:
- Impact on habitats of community interest present in the action area
- Possible damage to Cymodocea nodosa meadows, a protected marine phanerogam
- Risk to specimens of Pinna nobilis, a bivalve mollusk in critical danger of extinction
- Potential impact on marine avifauna in the area
The promoter partially accepted the measures proposed by the organisms consulted during the environmental assessment process. Among the accepted measures is the calculation of the carbon footprint of the action.
Economic and operational impact
From an economic perspective, the project has a dual reading for local stakeholders:
Opportunity: Sand relocation directly protects coastal infrastructure and economic activities in the delta against future marine storms. For the tourism sector, maintaining beaches in good condition is a sine qua non condition for the summer season. For the fishing and aquaculture sector, coastal stabilization reduces the risk of damage to facilities and fishing grounds.
Operational constraints: Project execution over three years using terrestrial machinery will generate periods affecting mobility in beach areas and accesses. Tourism and restaurant companies in Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita must anticipate possible temporary restrictions on access to coastal stretches.
Carbon footprint obligation: The promoter must calculate and document the carbon footprint of the project. Although this obligation falls on the public promoter, it establishes a precedent of environmental requirement that can be extended to private contractors and subcontractors participating in execution.
Who does it affect?
- Tourism companies (hotels, apartments, campsites, water activities) with facilities or accesses on the coast of Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita
- Fishing and aquaculture sector of the Ebro Delta: fishing cooperatives, aquaculture companies, and shellfish harvesting operations in the affected areas
- Construction and civil works companies that may compete for the bidding of sand relocation work
- Owners of coastal infrastructure (promenades, beach bars, sports facilities) in the affected municipalities
- Municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita in their role as managers of territory and local economic activities
Practical example
An active tourism establishment based on the coast of Sant Carles de la Ràpita that offers kayak and paddleboard routes through the Ebro Delta will be affected in the following way:
- During the three years of Phase II execution, certain beach stretches or sea accesses may be conditioned by the presence of terrestrial sand-moving machinery.
- At the same time, coastal stabilization reduces the risk that future storms will destroy the departure and arrival beaches used by the company, avoiding season losses like those suffered after storms Celia and Isaak in 2022-2023.
- If the company participates in any logistics support contract for the project, it must be prepared to comply with the environmental mitigation requirements imposed by the report, including protection protocols for Pinna nobilis and Cymodocea nodosa meadows.
What should companies do now?
- Identify if your activity is in the area of influence: Check if your facilities, accesses, or fishing grounds are located in the coastal stretches of Deltebre or Sant Carles de la Ràpita affected by sand relocation.
- Anticipate operational restrictions: Plan the tourism and fishing season taking into account that work execution with terrestrial machinery over three years may generate occasional restrictions on access to beach areas.
- Consult the work schedule: Contact the promoter or the municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita to learn about the action schedule and anticipate the impact on your operations.
- Review environmental protocols if you participate in execution: If your company competes for bidding or subcontracting of the work, ensure you incorporate the protection protocols for habitats of community interest, Pinna nobilis, and Cymodocea nodosa required by the environmental report.
- Assess the opportunity for protection against storms: The project reduces the risk of damage from coastal erosion. If you have first-line beach infrastructure, this is the time to also review your insurance coverage and contingency plans against marine storms.
Frequently asked questions
How much sand will be relocated in Phase II of the Ebro Delta?
The project contemplates the relocation of 475,000 m³ of sand using terrestrial mechanical means, moving it from natural sedimentation zones to eroded areas in the municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita, within a three-year period.
What protected species may be affected by the works?
The environmental impact report identifies risks to habitats of community interest, Cymodocea nodosa meadows (protected marine phanerogam), specimens of Pinna nobilis (bivalve mollusk in critical danger of extinction), and marine avifauna. The project must apply specific mitigation conditions for each of these elements.
When does the environmental report enter into force and when do the works begin?
The environmental impact report was published on July 4, 2026 and entered into force on that same date. The work execution period is three years from the start of work, although the specific action schedule will depend on the promoter and subsequent administrative procedures.
Why is this action being taken and what is its relationship to storms Celia and Isaak?
Storms Celia and Isaak, which affected the Ebro Delta in 2022-2023, caused severe erosion on the coast. Phase I of sand relocation was executed precisely during that period as an emergency response. Phase II, now approved, is the planned continuation of that action to consolidate coastal recovery and protect infrastructure and economic activities against future similar episodes.
Which municipalities are affected by the sand relocation project?
The sand destination areas—that is, the eroded areas that will be recovered—are located in the municipalities of Deltebre and Sant Carles de la Ràpita, both in the province of Tarragona. The source areas are natural sedimentation areas within the Ebro Delta itself.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is purely informational in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-14553