Timeline

The efforts of various NGO’s since the 1980s have highlighted Ria de Alvor (the Alvor Estuary) as a significant conservation cause. However, gaining appropriate recognition of the site within national and international statute has met with considerable inertia and has so far failed to be translated into effective protection and positive management. Whilst we can celebrate the fact that it has remained undeveloped, continued decline of its natural heritage is inevitable without prompt action.

The timeline below indicates several major developments over the last 35 years, both positive and negative to species and people who live on the Alvor Estuary.

2007 (January):	Rumours of further damage to habitats on Quinta da Rocha emphasise the need for a final and lasting solution for the protection of the area.
2006:	The Ria de Alvor is finally designated as a Natura 2000 site in the EEC official journal.
2006:	25 ha of priority salt marsh habitat, and one third of the population of Thymus camphoratus, are allegedly destroyed on Quinta da Rocha. An embargo on further damaging works is issued to the estate’s new owner, and an official investigation begins.
2004:	Inter-municipal commission (Portimão and Lagos), studying the future of the area, proposes that the Ria de Alvor should become a protected area.
2000:	Public consultation on the second phase of Natura 2000 places Ria de Alvor in list of proposed sites, but reduces the area to come under protection by half. ICN reviewed its proposal after lobbying by NGO’s.
1999 (August):	Nature Conservancy Institute (ICN) and CMP sign an intention of agreement to plan for the creation of a Protected Landscape.
1999 (May):	National press makes development plans for Ria de Alvor public through article ‘Ria de Alvor passes from protected area to urbanisation’.
1999 (Spring):	Rumours abound that it will also be left out of the second phase. Several NGO’s write a letter to the Minister of the Environment requesting an official statement of intentions regarding Ria de Alvor.
1997:	Motion to finally create a Protected Area is passed unanimously by the Portimão Municipal Assembly. Quinta da Rocha estate is fenced off by new owner. For unclear reasons, Ria de Alvor is left out of Phase 1 of the Natura 2000 network. CMP protests formally to the Ministry of Environment. Ministry begins work on new proposal for a protected area. Environmental NGO’s LPN Algarve and A Rocha present a proposal for an Integrated Management Plan for the Ria de Alvor, which is well received by the Ministry and the local authorities.
1996:	Portuguese Government declares Ria de Alvor a Ramsar site under the International Convention on Wetlands. Portimão Mayor refers explicitly to the creation of a Protected Landscape, on a visit to the area by the then Prime Minister (António Guterres). Public consultation on Natura 2000 includes Ria de Alvor as a proposed site, owing to it being “the only coastal wetland in the Western Algarve and “an important area for wading birds and a stopover for many migratory species”.
1995:	District Development Plans of Portimão and Lagos are published and include Ria de Alvor as a wildlife protection area. Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICN) working group proposes creation of a Protected Landscape.
1994:	Environment Minister (Teresa Patrício Gouveia) declares that Ria de Alvor will soon receive its Protected Landscape status. The Portuguese President Mário Soares visits the Ria de Alvor and states he doesn’t like what he sees, referring in particular to the disturbance of the dune habitats.
1991:	League for the Protection of Nature (LPN) launches campaign for the creation of a Nature Reserve.
1989-94:	Dredging and civil engineering works in the outer estuary carried out by Ports Authority, creating massive disturbance to both dunes and inter-tidal areas.
1989:	Areas of Quinta da Rocha and Abicada declared as a National Agricultural Reserve.
1988:	Ports Authority proposes marina and other developments as part of revised Improvement Plan. National Parks Service proposes Protected Landscape status for area.
1986:	Multinational company proposes major tourist project, which is rejected by Portimão City Council (CMP)
1983:	Marshes dunes and cliffs included within the National Ecological Reserve.
1982:	The Government Environmental Studies Service finishes the project for a Ria de Alvor Nature Reserve.
1982:	Environmental NGO A Rocha establishes field study activity in area.
1981:	Local hotel owner announces plans for a major tourism development on the estuary.
1980:	First proposal for a Nature Reserve by Government Departments (Fishing, Environment and Tourism).
1973-77:	Improvement Plan (Plano Director) for Ria de Alvor commissioned by the Ports Authority and under development (further reviewed and revised during period to 1988).
1973:	Various proposals for tourism developments pending with the Ports Authority (Hidráulica do Guadiana).