Secchia River landscape protection proposal finalized via White Paper

The participatory process ‘Our River, Our Future’, promoted by the Ente Parchi Emilia Centrale, has concluded with the publication of a White Paper. This document proposes a shared vision for a Protected Natural and Semi-natural Landscape for the middle and lower course of the Secchia River.

The initiative involved extensive public participation, including a survey of 1,428 citizens across sixteen municipalities, a representative group of 80 citizens, and consultations with various institutions and interest groups. The resulting White Paper incorporates diverse perspectives, ranging from agricultural and hunting interests to environmentalist demands.

A central tenet of the proposal is that the protected landscape should act as a flexible tool rather than a rigid park with top-down restrictions. The document emphasizes that hydraulic safety and territory management remain a ‘non-compressible priority.’ The ultimate goal is to support an ecological transition, protect biodiversity, and foster sustainable development while ensuring that municipalities along the river can work together. FIAB supports this vision, suggesting the Secchia could serve as a backbone for a continuous and safe active mobility network for residents and leisure.