The new Valley Management Master Plan launched

The Valley Management Master Plan has been launched to increase scientific knowledge about the valleys around Malta and Gozo. This Eur17million project is part of the RBMP Life project and is being implemented by different ministries; the Energy and Water Management Ministry, the Tourism and Consumer Protection Ministry, and the Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds.

The masterplan is being implemented by the Valley Management Unit within PARKS Malta and the Energy and Water Agency. The objectives of this contract are mainly as follows:

• To develop master plans for the planning and management of 16 major catchment areas in the Maltese Islands, including the provision of a strategic policy framework to encourage integrated valley management
• To provide guidance frameworks for the management of specific resources (such as water), that can be replicated to other catchments
• To develop technical guidelines specific for various sub-catchments and valley stretches to inform the development of method statements and implement maintenance interventions
• To provide a framework for the conservation and enhancement of the services provided by Malta’s valleys

These objectives will be achieved through the following activities:  

• Review and data gaps identification of ecological, hydrological and land use mapping exercises carried out by Valley Management team in 80kms of valleys
• Stakeholder consultation includes the organisation of a series of catchment specific and thematic engagement events including workshops, site meetings, web-based surveys and exhibitions.
• Production of Master Plans and Technical Guidelines
• Development of framework structure required for the implementation of the devised plans

The master plan was launched last Thursday in a press conference at Howard Gardens in Rabat, a locality characterized by a number of valleys. The press conference was addressed by Energy and Water Management Minister Michael Farrugia, Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli together with Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi. 

During his speech, Minister for Energy and Water Management Michael Farrugia said that this is a strategic project and will help the country to address various issues related to the water sector in a holistic manner while identifying new practices for the management of our natural resources.  Tourism Minister, Julia Farrugia Portelli, said that this master plan has the scope to formulate a strategic plan for better management of our valleys. Various studies on a span of 80 kilometers of valleys have already been done. Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi concluded that through the LIFE Project, Malta will reach its EU targets related to the European Directive on water management.