The implementation of mechanisms to inhibit the mistreatment of the Maspalomas Dunes is one of the debates taking place in the legal sphere of the Canary Islands, although the south of the island of Gran Canaria could already be subject to consultation because, after all, that is where this natural park is located. Curiously, it could be anything but consultations related to taxes. Can putting an eco-tax on the Maspalomas Dunes be subject to popular consultation? If you know how to focus the question; but no. Would you prohibit transit through the Maspalomas Dunes until 2060 to observe their scientific evolution? It could be a question. Do you think it is necessary to charge a fee that serves to tear down all the cement structures that have invaded the Maspalomas Dunes in the last 50 years?
And since 1985 it has been legally provided that "in accordance with the legislation of the State and the Autonomous Community" the mayors, after agreement by an absolute majority of the plenary session" and authorization of the Government of the Nation, may submit to popular consultation those matters of municipal competence and of a local nature that are of special relevance to the interests of the residents, with the exception of those relating to local finance according to article 71 of Law 7/1985, of April 2, regulating the bases of the local regime.
If the mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Marco Aurelio Pérez, and his partners in the local government pact of the Canary Coalition wanted to, they could put types of intervention on the Maspalomas Dunes to a consultation without external interference. Authorisation from Madrid is required because this is what is provided for in the popular consultations held by the town councils, both in the additional provision of Organic Law 2/1980, of 18 January, on the regulation of the different types of referendum, when it refers to "the exclusive competence of the State for its authorisation".
According to Eloísa Anguisola Santana, a graduate in Tourism from the ULPGC in 2024, proposing an eco-tax that provides a solution to reduce the overcongestion of the dunes to an optimal figure, in line with their estimated load capacity, would be useful. In her opinion, a small monetary tax could reduce the daily influx, encouraging only those who value this Protected Natural Area to visit it. In addition, the revenue derived from this measure would be used exclusively for conservation work, making this solution a viable and sustainable proposal for the future of the Maspalomas Dunes.
