Creation of Lagoa do Congro Botanical Park and reclassification as a Natural Monument is already under way
The Regional Secretary for Energy, Environment and Tourism stated in Ponta Delgada, that the Regional Government is already working on the creation of the Lagoa do Congro Botanical Park on the island of São Miguel and on the reclassification of the protected area as a Natural Monument.
Marta Guerreiro spoke at the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, Environment and Labour of the Legislative Assembly in the context of a petition concerning the recovery of the landscaped forest of Lagoa do Congro lake and the creation of a botanical park. According to her, this initiative "is in line with the recommended management goals and actions" in the proposed Management Plan for São Miguel Island's Natural Park. It will "allow visitors to better enjoy this area, while highlighting the relevance of our natural resources and our landscapes."
The Secretary for the Environment pointed out, however, that "the management goals for the protected area of Lagoa do Congro lake go beyond the subject of the petition.
In this regard, she added that they encompass the "reclassification of the Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species of Lagoa do Congro lake as a Natural Monument" as well as the development of a specific intervention in the crater. The latter will focus on "the control of invasive species, the reintroduction of natural flora species, the redevelopment of the forest/garden and the creation of the Botanical Park, including the creation of interpretative routes and a viewpoint."
The Regional Secretary also revealed that another planned action for that area concerns the "establishment of an ecological corridor between the protected area of Lagoa do Congro lake and the protected area of Serra de Água de Pau massif as well as the creation of a small 'continuum naturale' area to the south of the crater, covering the regional lands that are not included in the current protected area."
During the hearing, Marta Guerreiro said that the "recommended interventions in the proposed Management Plan for São Miguel Island's Natural Park" will begin this year. This specific action is provided for in the Investment Plan for the "intervention and landscape planning in the forest area of Lagoa do Congro lake," with a financial allocation of 100 thousand Euros.
The Regional Secretary added that "contacts have already been made with the owners of the private lands in the crater, which includes the Lagoa dos Nenúfares lake, with a view to establishing an agreement that will allow the control of invasive exotic species, the environmental and landscape recovery of Lagoa dos Nenúfares lake and the development of a circuit trail associated with this water body."