The mayors of l’Espluga de Francolí, Montblanc, Vimbodí i Poblet, Vallclara, Vilanova de Prades, and Vilaverd have joined forces to submit allegations regarding the future Natural Park project. The objective is to channel territorial concerns and defend a unified position among the municipalities of Conca de Barberà affected by the park's scope.
The proposals focus on several key areas: preserving the specific functioning of the Poblet Natural Interest Area, strengthening municipal participation in decision-making, clarifying the distribution of headquarters and facilities, and ensuring that the protection of the area is compatible with the water supply needs of the municipalities.
Regarding the preservation of the Poblet PNIN, the mayors request that the creation of the new natural park respects the identity and operational autonomy of the existing area, preventing it from being absorbed by the new structure. They seek to maintain the current management and staff, as well as ensure their financial independence with a dedicated budget, to guarantee the continuity of management and conservation resources.
In terms of governance, the allegations propose that the Assembly of Mayors should have binding decision-making power, moving beyond the purely consultative role currently envisioned. They also request an increase from five to ten municipal representatives on the Governing Board, combining regional representation with greater weight for municipalities contributing more land to the park. This advocates for effective participation by local councils as the administration closest to the citizens.
Location proposals suggest the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet as the institutional headquarters, due to its historical, cultural, and symbolic value, and its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For the administrative headquarters, Montblanc is proposed, leveraging its road and rail connections and available services. In l’Espluga de Francolí, the plan is to establish an information and visitor reception center in the spaces that become available following the relocation of the PNIN headquarters.
Finally, the municipalities demand that the park's regulations allow for the authorization of new water abstractions for municipal supply and guarantee the maintenance of existing infrastructure. They emphasize the priority of drinking water to meet the present and future needs of the population, balancing supply with the preservation of water resources and the natural values of the area.
