Bizkaia’s Provincial Council has approved a sweeping update to its forestry regulations, the first major overhaul since 1994, aiming to balance economic needs with growing environmental concerns [[2]]. The new rules address increasing land abandonment, particularly among private owners who control 75% of the region’s forests, and prioritize sustainable management practices to combat climate change and protect biodiversity [[3]]. The revised framework introduces a tiered planning system and financial incentives intended to encourage active forest stewardship and safeguard vital ecosystem services.
A new forestry regulation approved by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia aims to modernize forest management in the region and address challenges like climate change and land abandonment. The updated rules, replacing a 1994 ordinance, prioritize sustainable practices and recognize the vital role forests play in the local ecosystem and economy.
The changes come in response to evolving social and environmental factors, including increased recreational use of forests, a shift in agricultural practices, and growing concerns about biodiversity. A key issue the new regulation seeks to address is the increasing abandonment of forest management, particularly on privately owned land.
The new framework establishes a three-tiered planning system. It begins with broad guidelines for regional forestry, followed by more specific plans for individual districts, and finally, voluntary sustainable management projects for individual forest owners. These projects will offer certified and streamlined management options, as well as access to public funding.
One of the most significant changes is the recognition of ecosystem services – the benefits forests provide, such as carbon sequestration and water regulation. The council hopes to establish a compensation system to support the economic sustainability of forest management and discourage abandonment. The regulation also strengthens fire prevention measures, maintaining a ban on land-use changes in areas affected by wildfires, and increases environmental protections.
The updated rules also shorten the reforestation timeline following logging to two years, simplifying the process and ensuring effective forest restoration. The Provincial Council emphasized the importance of both public and private forest ownership in Bizkaia, and the new regulation aims to encourage active management, generational renewal, and diversification of tree species, with a focus on native varieties.
The council is also building on existing ecological restoration projects, such as the “Oak Project,” which has already recovered over 700 hectares of land with native species. Officials say this work will continue alongside efforts to maintain the economic value of forests as a source of rural employment and sustainable materials like timber.
Key updates to Bizkaia’s Forestry Regulation:
1. Clear and organized planning: to better protect forests by knowing what can be done in each area.
2. Compensation for forest care: to avoid abandonment and ensure the long-term sustainability of forest management.
3. Support to prevent abandonment: to keep forests healthy and actively managed, with a focus on supporting young people and facilitating generational transitions.
4. Promoting native species: to increase biodiversity and create more resilient forests, continuing the work of the Oak Project.
5. Enhanced fire prevention: to reduce risks and prevent intentional fires, with increased surveillance and preventative measures.
6. Mandatory replanting after logging: to ensure forests are always regenerated, requiring reforestation within two years.
7. Streamlined forest management and aid access: to reduce bureaucracy with easier processes and increased digitalization.
8. Increased protection for natural spaces: to protect nature and expand public land holdings, including the potential for the Provincial Council to purchase strategic forest areas.
The regulation was approved by the Governing Council and will now proceed to the General Assemblies of Bizkaia for debate and a final vote. The move represents a significant step toward a modern forestry model aligned with European policies, reinforcing the conservation of natural heritage and ensuring forests continue to provide biodiversity, social benefits, economic activity, and scenic beauty for current and future generations.
