Aragon’s Department of Environment and Tourism will have a budget of €302.99 million in 2027, with wildfire prevention and suppression as its top priority. Funding for these policies amounts to €86.24 million, while own-source funding will rise 48% to €204.6 million, excluding extraordinary financing from the FITE and MMR funds.
Forest management and wildfires account for the largest share of budget investment
The Directorate-General for Forest Management will have €86.26 million, compared with €51.14 million in 2024, an increase of nearly 70%. The budget includes prevention, firefighting, and recovery measures, including silvicultural treatments, forest-road maintenance, vegetation fuel reduction, and the use of timber and biomass.
INFOAR will receive €51 million for wildfire prevention and suppression, the largest allocation ever made in Aragon for these policies. The plan calls for the workforce to be progressively expanded by up to 215 hires and for a 10% pay increase in 2027, under the preliminary agreement reached in September before the SAMA labor mediation service.
Aerial resources will account for €13.44 million, 223.86% more than in 2024. This includes €3.92 million for four additional helicopters and two amphibious aircraft, as well as €9.52 million to lease nine helicopters. A further €1 million has been set aside to upgrade bases and ground infrastructure, €1.5 million to restore areas affected by the summer 2026 wildfires, and €1.08 million to continue the Aragon Reforestation Plan.
The Nature Protection Officer workforce will add 20 new positions in 2027, as part of a proposal for 50 positions over three years, and will receive €1.2 million to renew its vehicle fleet. The budget adds €1 million to the Timber Use Promotion Plan (PIAMA).
Natural areas, hunting, and fishing bring investment to Guara, Ordesa, and the Huerva
The Directorate-General for Natural Environment will manage €24.6 million. The compensation fund for municipalities located within natural areas will increase by 10%, reaching €2 million.
Planned investments include €1 million to improve the forest road along Guara’s northern corridor, €500,000 for access to the Añisclo sector of Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, and €1.05 million for the Escalona-Sarvisé corridor. In addition, €2.76 million will be allocated to continue restoring the Huerva riverbanks in Zaragoza, while €2 million will go toward a river restoration park in Cuarte de Huerva.
The new Directorate-General for Hunting and Fishing will have €1.84 million. Measures include a €65,000 partnership with the Aragon Hunting Federation, divided among three grants for species tracking and monitoring. The budget agreement also proposes cutting regional fees for hunting and fishing licenses and permits by 80%.
Tourism, water, and environmental quality round out the Environment budget for 2027
The Directorate-General for Tourism and Hospitality will have €17.3 million for initiatives across the three provinces. The budget includes projects linked to the Aragonese Way of St. James, the Holy Grail Route, Fiat Lux, and various tourism infrastructure projects, including €2.3 million to connect Astún and Candanchú.
The Directorate-General for Environmental Quality will have €24.8 million. Its program maintains oversight and monitoring of historic lindane contamination in Sardas, Bailín, and Inquinosa, plans to begin advance administrative processing for works at Las Tiesas, and will complete the final closure of the Bailín secure containment cell. INAGA will receive €275,000 to create positions and strengthen its organizational structure.
The Aragon Water Institute will have €90.67 million for water supply, wastewater treatment, and municipal water infrastructure, including €13.1 million for the Special Wastewater Treatment Plan. The government agreement also provides for a 40% reduction in the Environmental Tax on Wastewater for certain consumption levels by large families in the special category from 2027 onward.
