And here follows the rest of the "Official Denunciation" letter to save the coastal mangrove zone between La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas....
As well, the cumulative environmental impacts of these construction projects are affecting, and will negatively affect, the habitats for refuge, roosting, and feeding of the following aquatic and terrestrial birds also cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001 and found in the La Manzanilla mangrove: Least Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma microsoma), Least Grebe (Tachypatus dominicus), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), Mangrove Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), Heermann´s Gull (Larus heermanni), Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans), Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis), and Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis); In addition, the following species’ nesting grounds will be effected: Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), Green-backed Heron (Butorides virescens) and Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
Fundamentally, the realization of these individual construction projects represents an urban subdivision with service infrastructure and roads in this coastal mangrove zone. Thus, we are requesting that all current projects be evaluated under the terms of the aforementioned Article 11 Ordinance and that the developers and the Municipality of La Huerta, Jalisco, be required to complete a “Regional Mode” EIS. Likewise, we request that the already authorized projects, or projects in the process of authorization, be treated under the terms of Article 16 of the same Ordinance, and that the generated environmental impacts be analyzed and revised. Finally, we request that the current projects underway in the aforementioned coastal mangrove zone be halted until revised environmental impact statements are fulfilled and made available to the public.
Furthermore, in light of many of the construction projects in the La Manzanilla/Boca de Iguanas coastal mangrove zone—from small palaces to substantial houses, the majority of which are inhabited by temporary residents—that SEMARNAT is treating as “one-family dwellings”, we request that SEMARNAT officially declares what exactly is meant by this term. It seems that the lack of criteria surrounding this term is leading to environmental overuse, and in some cases, abuse.
In addition to the supposed “one-family dwellings”, the other principal concern is the construction of condominium units bordering the mouth of the mangrove exactly at its point of confluence with the ocean, violating the aforementioned presidential decree and the Ecological Ordinance Plan of of the Costalegre by:
1. Compromising of the integrability of the hydrologic flow of the mangrove.
2. Compromising zones of nesting, reproduction, shelter, feeding and breeding for the American crocodile and the Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtles.
3. Surpassing the carrying capacity of the surrounding mangrove and dune ecosystems.
4. Provoking a negative change in the ecological services and the natural beauty of the mangrove and dune ecosytems.
We request that this project as well be halted until it is reviewed by appropriate authorities who can comment on its viability regarding environmental impacts that have been thus generated, and will continue to be generated if it is allowed to continue.
In sum, we are concerned that if the current residential and tourist development is allowed to continue without restrictions, the zone of La Manzanilla, Boca de Iguanas, and Tenacatita Bay in general (one of the five biggest bays in Mexico) will confront the following environmental risks:
1. Proliferation of uncontrolled urban developments that undermine the sustainable development of Tenacatita Bay.
2. Removal and destruction of dune vegetation due to the construction of retaining walls over it.
3. Overuse of critical fresh water from the same aquifer that replenishes the mangrove and provides water to the coastal communities of the area.
4. Contamination of the mangrove and ocean due to the lack of grey and black water systems, or due to systems that are not up to ordinance code—i.e., they are not re-using grey and black water.
5. Construction of two-,or more, story structures that block the view of the ocean and mangrove thus compromising the aesthetic value of this area.
6. Destruction of nesting sites of endangered birds and reptiles cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001 which will lead them to have to modify their behavior in order to survive.
7. Alteration and/or destruction of the refuge, feeding, and roosting habitats of aquatic and terrestrial birds cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001.
With the best future interests of the citizens, and of the environment, of La Manzanilla, we submit this urgent request for an immediate halting of all coastal development between the beach and the mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas. The current developments pose a grave threat not only to the fragile dune and mangrove ecosystems and the threatened wildlife that inhabit them, but as well to the future prosperity of the citizens of La Manzanilla. The mangrove and beach dunes of La Manzanila are critical wildlife habitat. This means that they are a sustainable source of tourism dollars for many years to come. As well, the mangrove protects La Manzanilla from catastrophic hurricanes and floods, ensures a healthy fishery, and maintains water quality in Tenacatita bay due to its natural filtering effects.
Please help us protect one of Mexico´s richest and rarest coastal zones from destructive development, and help us insure sustainability of this fragile ecoregion. Please immediately halt all destructive coastal development between the beach and mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas until official inspections are made by appropriate authorities, and environmental impact statements are made public to the concerned citizens of these communities.
To confirm this denunciation, and for accompaniment to the noted sites, you can contact Natalia Uribe Morfín at (315) 351-7146, or by e-mail: naturamor@yahoo.com.mx. The address is Paraíso 15, corner of María Asunción, La Manzanilla, Jalisco. La Manzanilla is located at km. 14 on Highway 200 from Melaque to Puerto Vallarta, and its beach belongs to the grand Tenacatita Bay.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and prompt response.
Sincerely,
Dave Collins Gabriela de la Vega Dorrie Woodward Natalia Uribe
Sebastián Ambriz Víctor Amescua Pablo Martínez del C. Mercedes
Taboada
Ana Luisa Solis Mercedes Gargollo María Castelazo Willy Mason
Kimberly Mason Miguel Martinez Ma. De Jesús Mtnez. Juli Julian Wagner
Charles Schuete Paul Spong Helena Symonds Milora Spong
Norma Rejall Ani Mac
As well, the cumulative environmental impacts of these construction projects are affecting, and will negatively affect, the habitats for refuge, roosting, and feeding of the following aquatic and terrestrial birds also cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001 and found in the La Manzanilla mangrove: Least Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma microsoma), Least Grebe (Tachypatus dominicus), Wood Stork (Mycteria americana), Mangrove Black Hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus), Heermann´s Gull (Larus heermanni), Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans), Orange-fronted Parakeet (Aratinga canicularis), and Pale-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus guatemalensis); In addition, the following species’ nesting grounds will be effected: Boat-billed Heron (Cochlearius cochlearius), Green-backed Heron (Butorides virescens) and Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga).
Fundamentally, the realization of these individual construction projects represents an urban subdivision with service infrastructure and roads in this coastal mangrove zone. Thus, we are requesting that all current projects be evaluated under the terms of the aforementioned Article 11 Ordinance and that the developers and the Municipality of La Huerta, Jalisco, be required to complete a “Regional Mode” EIS. Likewise, we request that the already authorized projects, or projects in the process of authorization, be treated under the terms of Article 16 of the same Ordinance, and that the generated environmental impacts be analyzed and revised. Finally, we request that the current projects underway in the aforementioned coastal mangrove zone be halted until revised environmental impact statements are fulfilled and made available to the public.
Furthermore, in light of many of the construction projects in the La Manzanilla/Boca de Iguanas coastal mangrove zone—from small palaces to substantial houses, the majority of which are inhabited by temporary residents—that SEMARNAT is treating as “one-family dwellings”, we request that SEMARNAT officially declares what exactly is meant by this term. It seems that the lack of criteria surrounding this term is leading to environmental overuse, and in some cases, abuse.
In addition to the supposed “one-family dwellings”, the other principal concern is the construction of condominium units bordering the mouth of the mangrove exactly at its point of confluence with the ocean, violating the aforementioned presidential decree and the Ecological Ordinance Plan of of the Costalegre by:
1. Compromising of the integrability of the hydrologic flow of the mangrove.
2. Compromising zones of nesting, reproduction, shelter, feeding and breeding for the American crocodile and the Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtles.
3. Surpassing the carrying capacity of the surrounding mangrove and dune ecosystems.
4. Provoking a negative change in the ecological services and the natural beauty of the mangrove and dune ecosytems.
We request that this project as well be halted until it is reviewed by appropriate authorities who can comment on its viability regarding environmental impacts that have been thus generated, and will continue to be generated if it is allowed to continue.
In sum, we are concerned that if the current residential and tourist development is allowed to continue without restrictions, the zone of La Manzanilla, Boca de Iguanas, and Tenacatita Bay in general (one of the five biggest bays in Mexico) will confront the following environmental risks:
1. Proliferation of uncontrolled urban developments that undermine the sustainable development of Tenacatita Bay.
2. Removal and destruction of dune vegetation due to the construction of retaining walls over it.
3. Overuse of critical fresh water from the same aquifer that replenishes the mangrove and provides water to the coastal communities of the area.
4. Contamination of the mangrove and ocean due to the lack of grey and black water systems, or due to systems that are not up to ordinance code—i.e., they are not re-using grey and black water.
5. Construction of two-,or more, story structures that block the view of the ocean and mangrove thus compromising the aesthetic value of this area.
6. Destruction of nesting sites of endangered birds and reptiles cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001 which will lead them to have to modify their behavior in order to survive.
7. Alteration and/or destruction of the refuge, feeding, and roosting habitats of aquatic and terrestrial birds cited in NOM-059-ECOL-2001.
With the best future interests of the citizens, and of the environment, of La Manzanilla, we submit this urgent request for an immediate halting of all coastal development between the beach and the mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas. The current developments pose a grave threat not only to the fragile dune and mangrove ecosystems and the threatened wildlife that inhabit them, but as well to the future prosperity of the citizens of La Manzanilla. The mangrove and beach dunes of La Manzanila are critical wildlife habitat. This means that they are a sustainable source of tourism dollars for many years to come. As well, the mangrove protects La Manzanilla from catastrophic hurricanes and floods, ensures a healthy fishery, and maintains water quality in Tenacatita bay due to its natural filtering effects.
Please help us protect one of Mexico´s richest and rarest coastal zones from destructive development, and help us insure sustainability of this fragile ecoregion. Please immediately halt all destructive coastal development between the beach and mangrove of La Manzanilla and Boca de Iguanas until official inspections are made by appropriate authorities, and environmental impact statements are made public to the concerned citizens of these communities.
To confirm this denunciation, and for accompaniment to the noted sites, you can contact Natalia Uribe Morfín at (315) 351-7146, or by e-mail: naturamor@yahoo.com.mx. The address is Paraíso 15, corner of María Asunción, La Manzanilla, Jalisco. La Manzanilla is located at km. 14 on Highway 200 from Melaque to Puerto Vallarta, and its beach belongs to the grand Tenacatita Bay.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and prompt response.
Sincerely,
Dave Collins Gabriela de la Vega Dorrie Woodward Natalia Uribe
Sebastián Ambriz Víctor Amescua Pablo Martínez del C. Mercedes
Taboada
Ana Luisa Solis Mercedes Gargollo María Castelazo Willy Mason
Kimberly Mason Miguel Martinez Ma. De Jesús Mtnez. Juli Julian Wagner
Charles Schuete Paul Spong Helena Symonds Milora Spong
Norma Rejall Ani Mac
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