The Municipality of Icod de los Vinoswith its mayor at the head, Francis González, announced this Thursday the result of the neighborhood survey on the type of sand preferred for the san marco beach. With the participation of 1,090 people, the majority result was to have natural sand and not crushed sand, which is what is included in the project approved by Costas. The mayor admits to being moderately satisfied with the result, since he reinforces the position of the City Council, but he would also have liked to have had more participation.
-Are you satisfied with the result?
“I said that I was going to work and comply in line with what came out, and it could have come out that crushing sand was preferred. This result gives us the keys to continue fighting and fighting, because I want and love San Marcos beach, and knowing that people are willing to wait, and that they want natural sand, reassures me. I am satisfied to a certain extent, the people who know me know that I always want more, and I cannot deny that I would have liked more participation.
– Do you consider that it is a representative participation?
“I am not a technician. I thank the people who wanted to participate. It is desirable that there are more people, and for this reason I believe that the participation processes must be improved. Perhaps we are not very used to doing this kind of thing, of participation, even in elections the level of abstention is worrying, and that is surely because we are not doing things well. This consultation was in our electoral program and we have complied. As for whether it is representative, according to what the person in charge of the company that has carried out the survey told us, it is a very good participation, I keep that information”.
-Given that it is a non-binding survey for administrations, what is the next step?
“For us it was binding. Before the rest of the administrations, it gives us strength, it renews, if the expression fits, the commitment that we must continue trying to convince other institutions (Government of the Canary Islands and Coasts) that the beach of San Marcos de Tenerife deserves that things be done fine, and that if there is sand, let it be removed, that there is nothing to show that we have to opt for crushing sand, among other things because it is not true that tomorrow they will have all the permits and start the work. It cannot be played by the political forces, even with a presence in the Plenary, that the fault of the San Marcos beach without sand this summer lies with the mayor, that is a lie. We have worked so that there is a project, we have taken it forward, they have given it the go-ahead, and now what remains is for them to execute that project, and there is still time to remove the sand that is in the funds”.
-As you have recognized, using the crushing sand does not require an environmental impact study, and the sand from the banks does, which means more waiting time…
“The norm says that the environmental impact study is necessary in that sense, and on the other hand the citizens, four out of five of the people who have participated in the survey, say that they do not mind waiting to use natural sand. We have to look back to see that in San Marcos a contribution was already made years ago of sand from ravines, more earthy, with which the beach was covered in chocolate for many years. So it is an experience that already existed, of alteration of the environment. Now, let’s opt for natural sand, because there is time. This result reaffirms us that we are on the right path, and we have done so by consulting the public with a valid mechanism”.
-Is the project more expensive due to the use of natural sand?
“It is not determined. The project contemplates two million for immediate action and even contemplates the setback of the Fishing Shelter. It is true that we are not going to get everything from today to tomorrow, but we will get the sand, which is what people want, and what the institutions ask is that, before recharging, that the sand does not go away, and we have done that. In any case, the Government of the Canary Islands was of the idea that if it was necessary to put money on the table, that was not the problem, the problem was Costas with its imposition, something that the Government accepted.
-The execution project must be drawn up based on the basic project. Can the type of sand be changed in the run project?
“It is true that in the basic project it is defined that it has to be crushed sand, but in the execution project natural sand can be put in, there is nothing that says that it cannot be done, they only tell us that environmental studies take time. . In the schedule that has been approved, the placement of the sand will be done in the 13th month, once the work has started, and for that there is still a long way to go, so there is time to do the studies. Even during the execution of the work, a modification can be included in the event that natural sand is chosen”.
-When will you go to the Government of the Canary Islands to present these results?
“I understand that it is summer, but from now on I will begin to speak with the general director of Tourist Infrastructures and see to what extent we can advance”.
-If the Government of the Canary Islands cannot be convinced to endorse this change in the arena before Costas, where does this path end?
“I am optimistic and I believe that common sense will prevail, so I am very excited, that it will allow me to refresh my ideas and return to the institutional attack, with the conviction of explaining why, and that we are understood. I am not saying that what has to be is not accepted, but I am one of those who do not lower their arms just because and I think that if there are reasons to fight and fight, I think it is my obligation to do so”.
