Icod de los Vinos Fast-Tracks San Marcos Beach Restoration Plan

The Icod de los Vinos City Council has unanimously agreed to fast-track the long-awaited plan to restore San Marcos beach. The Canary Islands Business Association of Environmental Consultants (AECCM) has welcomed this decision, noting that it marks a vital shift from temporary "quick fixes" toward a permanent, structural solution for the coastline.

Technical experts are currently debating the best way to move forward. The main project proposes adding 40,852 cubic meters of sand, while some experimental proposals suggest a smaller amount, around 22,500 cubic meters. The AECCM warns that caution is essential; dumping sand prematurely could be a waste of resources if the material cannot withstand local marine currents—a risk the government identified nearly a decade ago. They fear that a rushed, isolated effort could fail and potentially complicate the larger, long-term restoration work.

Beyond engineering, the AECCM argues that the beach’s recovery must be part of a wider urban planning strategy. They are calling for a new governance model that gives the "SOS Salvar la Playa de San Marcos" citizens' group a formal, binding role in the process, acknowledging their key work in mobilizing the community and overseeing the project.

Finally, the consultants emphasize that simply adding sand is not enough. They are calling for a comprehensive approach that includes modernizing the area’s sewage and wastewater systems. By addressing these long-standing infrastructure issues alongside coastal restoration, the association believes the city can ensure a sustainable future for the Icod coastline, rather than relying on partial solutions that fail to address the area's complex environmental needs.