The Generalitat will introduce a law to compensate those who maintain and protect forests. The move follows major wildfire damage in La Vall d’Uixó. Owners will receive payments for conservation and fire prevention.
The Generalitat Valenciana is preparing a new law that will introduce direct payments to forest owners who actively protect and maintain their land. President Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca confirmed that the draft legislation, set for debate in Les Corts Valencianes within weeks, aims to reward those who contribute to forest conservation, wildfire prevention, and ecosystem protection. The initiative is described as a pioneering system of payment for environmental services, with financial compensation for private landowners who help safeguard the region’s natural resources.
Pérez Llorca stressed the urgency of the measure, noting that the law should be in force before the end of the current legislative term. The Consell is still deciding whether to present the proposal as a government bill or a parliamentary initiative. The law will also streamline administrative processes, making it easier for landowners, municipalities, and businesses to coordinate with public authorities. One of the main goals is to reduce bureaucratic delays that often hinder forest management and recovery efforts.
The announcement comes in the wake of the devastating wildfire in La Vall d’Uixó, which burned nearly 9,500 hectares in July and affected 12 municipalities. Of the total area damaged, over 8,500 hectares were forest land, but only about 300 hectares belonged to the Generalitat. Pérez Llorca highlighted the crucial role of private owners in post-fire recovery, pointing out that their involvement can speed up restoration and reduce future risks. This approach echoes recent recovery efforts in other regions, such as when authorities allowed residents to return home after Segovia wildfires once the risk level dropped, as reported in a previous update.
On Monday, Pérez Llorca attended the launch of the Integral Plan for Reforestation and Environmental Recovery in La Vall d’Uixó. The Generalitat, in collaboration with local councils, has allocated €2.7 million for immediate restoration works. These efforts include clearing fallen trees and sediment near populated areas, opening and widening forest tracks, and improving over 80 kilometers of access roads. The first phase will also remove hazardous trees along 44 kilometers of the road network, improving safety and access for restoration teams.
The plan reserves part of the budget for additional interventions identified by local authorities as recovery progresses. Pérez Llorca emphasized that the project is open to input from all affected municipalities, aiming to restore the landscape, protect water resources, and increase resilience to future fires. The second phase will focus on natural regeneration, erosion control, and the introduction of more resilient native species, such as cork oak, to improve long-term forest health and fire prevention.
Emergency works are already underway, with an expected completion time of eight months. The Generalitat’s approach prioritizes restoring the territory’s functionality and safety, while reinforcing coordination between regional and local administrations. The experience of recent wildfires has shown that rapid, well-coordinated action is essential for effective recovery and risk reduction.
Spain’s Mediterranean regions, including the Valencian Community, face increasing wildfire threats due to climate change, land abandonment, and changing weather patterns. The new law’s focus on incentivizing private stewardship reflects a broader shift in forest policy, recognizing that sustainable management depends on active participation from both public and private sectors. By compensating landowners for their role in conservation, the Generalitat hopes to create a more resilient landscape and reduce the impact of future disasters.
