MARISTANIS Wetland Contract

Wetlands are not only the “terminal” area of a larger hydrographic basin. A new relationship between these areas and the surrounding territory is necessary to overcome the traditional spatial management approach, and move more towards a focus on processes. Wetlands carry important environmental, economic, and landscape values and therefore should be managed beyond administrative borders.

Aim of the tool

The Oristano Coastal Wetlands Contract (CWC) is a voluntary act of a shared commitment by stakeholders to improve the protection and integrated management of wetlands of the Gulf of Oristano (Ramsar and Natura 2000 sites).

Main objectives

The Contract intends to implement a multidisciplinary and concerted policy action that involves all stakeholders towards effective management and sustainable development of the territory. This will facilitate alignment between the various plans and programs that create the current fragmented situation in the coastal wetland areas concerned, and it will allow a convergence between the various public policies involved.

Technological infrastructure

No specific technological requirements are required to prepare and deliver the Wetlands Contract.

Training

No training requirements were raised during the implementation of the participatory process for the creation of Wetland Contracts.

Investment

The Contract specifies that signatories commit to finding the necessary financial contributions to implement the activities of the Programme of Action at regional, national and European levels.

Concept

This Contract is a tool based on a voluntary agreement between local authorities and private stakeholders as a form of negotiated and shared planning procedures, and marine and coastal resources management. It is an open agreement in which all parties with a specific interest in the wetlands management can participate if they wish.

The Contract action program is developed along seven strategic directions:

1. Participatory territorial governance and capacity building.
2. Improvement of the ecological status of water systems.
3. Protection of biodiversity and natural heritage.
4. Landscape requalification and enhancement of cultural heritage.
5. Green economy – towards a sustainable and responsible territorial development model.
6. Strengthening resilience by addressing climate change.
7. Communication and environmental awareness.

Pilot areas

This Contract was developed for the Oristano Gulf, in Sardinia, Italy and includes six Ramsar sites as well as Natura 2000 network sites.

Recommended timeline of implementation

This contract was developed in several stages:

1. Municipalities started a participatory decision-making process aimed at the integrated and sustainable management of the coastal marine wetland habitats of the Gulf of Oristano.
2. Signing of a Declaration of Intent.
3. Drafting a preliminary analysis as a basis for the Action Programme.
4. Bilateral and plenary meetings between the local authorities (including mayors and the province).
5. Definition of the Action Programme of the Contract and establishment of the coordination group.
6. Signing of the Wetlands Contract by 11 Municipalities, the Regional Government, The Province and the Water Management Authority.

Action 1 of the Action Plan provides for the establishment of a Natural Regional Park in order to ensure a unique management body for the six Ramsar sites and the Natura 2000 network sites of the Oristano’s Gulf. However, the establishment of the Regional Park, according to the Italian legislation, is subject to a complex administrative procedure that requires expertise and financial resources in the long-term, that are not readily available.

The Action Plan includes specific actions already financed and others for which the municipalities involved will have to take action to find additional funding.

Finally, local technical municipal offices do not always have the necessary skills to implement a specific project or actions.

Quantitative results

At the end of the participatory process, a Wetland Contract was drafted and signed by all participating stakeholders. A series of meetings have been scheduled to inform local communities of the Contract and to engage more stakeholders.

Key deliverables

Narrative and technical reports on the implementation and monitoring of the Maristanis CWC Action Plan.

Transfer potential

The Contract is open to all public and private stakeholders that are interested in the management of the Gulf of Oristano wetland area. Moreover, this Contract stands as one example of the successful creation of a Wetlands Contract, which can be replicated in any other wetland area in the Mediterranean.

• The Gulf of Oristano, consisting primarily of coastal lagoons and marshes, includes 6 Ramsar wetland sites covering 77 km², 1 MPA/SPAMI and 25 Natura 2000 sites.

• A total of 46 measures are included in the Programme of Action, specifying the type of action (priority or integrative), the responsible body and the financial coverage.