Azorean Government invests more than one million Euros in coastal protection of Maia, Santa Maria Island
The Regional Secretary for the Sea, Science and Technology stated today in Maia, Santa Maria Island, that the Azorean Government currently has 22 coastal protection and redevelopment works "already completed or underway on several islands of the archipelago, an overall investment of 13 million Euros."
Gui Menezes mentioned that the "retreat of the coastline" occurring in the Azores "as a consequence of climate change, jeopardises people and goods," adding that it is necessary to "prepare some areas in the Region for this challenge."
The Regional Secretary spoke at the end of a visit to the coastal protection project of the northern section of Maia Fishing Port, where he accompanied the President of the Government, Vasco Cordeiro.
With regard to the coastal work in Maia, Gui Menezes mentioned that it is "in good progress and is scheduled to be completed by early October." The contract work is divided into "two phases."
The work on the southern section, completed last year, had a budget set at 540 thousand Euros, while the work on the northern section, which "is being completed now," corresponds to an investment of 480 thousand Euros.
Overall, the coastal protection and redevelopment works in this area represent an investment over one million euros.
Asked by journalists about the constraints arising from the fact that the work is being carried out in the high season, Gui Menezes said that it is an inevitability," stressing the need to have "favourable sea conditions in maritime works."
"There was no chance of avoiding the bathing season," the government official said, adding that the "impacts are being minimised." According to him, the "transport of stone is being carried out with some care in order to mitigate the inconveniences caused by this type of works."
The intervention in the northern section of Maia Fishing Port includes the construction of a shore protection about 55 metres wide, comprising a frontal rockfill platform at the base of the cliff that will be protected from sea waves by the placement of rocks.
This project aims to protect the regional road as well as some dwellings that may be at risk due to the action of the sea and rain, which have contributed to the retreat of the coastline in this area of Maia.
Rainwater drainage will also be ensured by the development of a system of ridge ditches.
The works on the southern section south of Maia Fishing Port included the construction of a concrete wall at the base of the cliff, stretching over an extension of 45 metres, which was filled with inert material.
The wall was then covered with a vegetable layer through hydroseeding in order to enhance the landscape surroundings where the intervention is taking place.