Cabo Pulmo Reef Victory 2010

Cabo Pulmo Reef - Night Photo: Courtesy MexFish.com

Cabo Pulmo Reef - We are very proud to announce that we have just been advised that SEMARNAT has revoked the permits for the mega development known as Cabo Cortez that threatens the Cabo Pulmo Reef. The developers seek to build 7816 homes, 3655 hotel rooms, a 490 slip marina, 2 golf courses, 5000 employee residences, an airport and commercial areas all right next to the Cabo Pulmo reef a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site. This is a great victory for those of us who love the reef and believe that a sustainable tourism model is possible.

We want to thank you for all of your support. Whether you helped spread the word or helped us collect signatures, congratulations are deserved by us all. This was, above all, a collective achievement. Recognition should also be given to the accurate and timely decision by SEMARNAT, which showed a welcome sensibility to the voice of civil society. We should be filled by hope in knowing that the voice of organized citizens is capable of creating great changes, when backed up by sound science and presented in a respectful way, through the appropriate institutional channels.

Cabo Cortés, as would be the case with any person or company, has the right to request these environmental permits again, be it with the project we know, or a modified version. We trust that, if they so decide, more attention will be paid to the information they present to the public, to the voice of the local community and to the current planning instruments for the region. A huge congratulations to Pedro Zapata and the supporters of Cabo Pulmo Vivo, http://www.cabopulmovivo.org, as well as those from Agua Vale Mas Que Oro, (En Espanol:www.paredonesamarillosno.com, Google Translation into English: www.paredonesamarillosno.com, who supported this important initiative. - Cabo Pulmo Vivo Agua Vale Mas Que Oro, 145-0050

Via Baja Western Onion

Mexico Denies Gold Mining Permit to Canadian Company

Mexico Denies Gold Mining Permit to Canadian Company

Last December the Mexican media, in part reviewed by Frontera NorteSur, reported that the door could be closed to some foreign-owned mining operations in Mexico — the case in point being a planned open pit gold mine in Baja California Sur. Well, that door has now been slammed shut, in large part due to the opposition of local residents and activists — which just might be a harbinger of what to expect in the future.

According to the story at the time, area residents opposed a mine within the buffer zone of the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, the Paredones Amarillos gold mine, planned by Canadian-owned Vista Gold Corporation. The mining company was awaiting a final step in the process, a requisite federal land use permit, in order to begin operations towards the extraction of an estimated 1.2 million ounces of gold over a 9.3 year period.

Critics contend that metals and chemicals used in the mining operations could contaminate vital ground water supplies (including seepage from a planned sluice residue basin), damage ecosystems, and threaten public health. Further, they express concern for coastal sea turtle and whale habitats that could be jeopardized from the construction of a proposed desalination plant.

Vista Gold President Fred Earnest, and project manager Carlos Calderón, both disputed the contentions that Paredones Amarillos would cause ecological harm. According to Calderón, Vista Gold would use environmentally sensitive, state-of-the-art mining technology and practices, and uphold “the highest international standards.”

Over the past two months opponents of the Paredones Amarillos mining project have been meeting with state of Baja California Sur officials, and on February 4, 2010 the Mexico City daily El Universal reported: ”Baja California Sur Governor Narciso Agúndez Montaño has promised to work for the stoppage of the Paredones Amarillos gold mine project.”

The newspaper said that Ariel Ruiz, a representative of the Baja California Sur “Water is worth more than gold” organization, told the governor of concerns due to the negative social and environmental impacts the open pit gold mine could cause in the area, especially due to the risk of contamination to aquifers in the region.

“We are expressing our concern because the costs that the mine could bring are much greater than the benefits. Not only is it a community, it is the entire region that could be affected,” Ruiz said

Ruiz added that Governor Agúndez supported his point of view, and the governor would ask the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) not to allow the project to go forward.

On February 19 El Universal reported: “The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources denied the Paredones Amarillas project change of land use application, for the operation of an open pit gold mine in the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve.”

“The Mexican Environmental Law Center (Cemda) reported that, according to a communiqué from the Canadian company Vista Gold, headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the federal agency rejected the application as it deemed the information insufficient in order to certify that the mine would not cause erosion or an impact on biodiversity,” the newspaper stated.

“Interviewed by El Universal, Agustín Bravo Gaxiola, an attorney with Cemda Northwest, said that the majority of the claims in the company’s technical justificative study ‘lacked support.’ He noted that the investors must certify they are the property owners, or that they have a concession for the area. The permits they have are for temporary occupation, he emphasized, [and] not for operations on national properties as are most of the lands that they want to exploit, and that were previously designated for preservation by the National Protected Areas Commission (Conanp).” — Barnard Thompson, MexiData.info

~ ~ ~

WATER IS WORTH MORE THAN GOLD! Baja California Sur vehemently OPPOSES the Paredones Amarillos open pit gold mine because of the irreparable damage it will cause to our community and the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve.

For more information about events email:
info@VistaGoldNO.com

If you have information, articles, photos or video that you think should be included in this site email:
info@VistaGoldNO.com

We need your help to fund this protest. Find out how you can make a donation. Send your email to: info@VistaGoldNO.com

For Spanish go tohttp://www.ParedonesAmarillosNO.com
info@ParedonesAmarillosNO.com

Las Tunas Homeowners Association - Please Join!

To All Las Tunas Residents:

We are re-activating the Las Tunas Homeowners

Association. So many new neighbors have moved into

the area since we originally banded together to bring in

electricity all those years ago.....so if you are a Las Tunas

resident and wish to have a voice on issues that concern

our area, please let us know who you are so we can

compile the new list of our members.

There will be an upcoming election of new officers

and board of directors, so if you or anyone you want

to suggest might be interested in any of those posts,

let us know. It is not critical if you are in town or not.

We just want to know who you are. We will be handling

all announcements, voting, and future meeting invitations

through an internet service.

The Las Tunas Homeowners Association is a legal entity,

and it is important for us to fulfill our role as a voting

body in order to have an official voice on issues that

concern us. It is an opportunity for you to have a voice

and a vote. It is the most effective way for us to get

"heard" by the various powers that be, whether on a

municipal, state or federal level.

We look forward to hearing from you..

Thanks, Brenda Casillas, past President.

If you have any questions, or to email

your contact info, please send all inquiries to

wendyrains@earthlink.net.

Dunes Building Suspended - July 2010

For those of you who don't know, there has been an ongoing investigation of a new home being built on the sand dunes in Las Tunas. There were no apparent building permits and numerous violations of SEMATNAT's regulations for building on the dunes. Even though there were numerous claims of proper permits, an investigation in La Paz was unable to come up with any. In addition, the permit for any building on the dunes is supposed to pass across the Delegado's desk. None has. Fortunately the head of PROFEPA (the enforcement branch of environmental regulations) has shut the job down awaiting further investigations.

Why Building On Sand Dunes Is Not a Good Idea

Concerned Neighbors of Las Tunas Dunes

Why Building On Sand Dunes Is Not A Good Idea

It is very important that any one who has bought or is considering purchasing a lot on a sand dune,

is made aware of the risks, problems, and dangers associated with building on it.

Sand dune systems are nature's buffer strip between the sea and land, and they are vital as a defense mechanism against the erosional actions of the sea, and the inland drifting of sand caused by wind erosion. Human interference with sand dunes by the removal of vegetation and the construction of roads and houses can have a substantial effect on dunal stability. Besides decimating a habitat full of native plants and soon to be homeless creatures, here are two other major existing risks:

1. Stability risk - is a result of the mobile nature of sand, which makes up the sand dune. The removal of vegetation, coupled with exposure to the wind, can lead to the erosion of the sand dune, and undermine the foundations of a building. Once this action commences, it is nearly impossible to stabilize the situation to prevent the possible collapse of a building. Vegetation plays a vital role in keeping sand dunes stable by holding the sand together and shielding it from the wind.

2. Locational risk - the close proximity of sand dunes to the sea creates immediate risks in storm situations.

Whether or not a sand dune is stable, it is possible on some exposed beaches for storm waves to attack the dunes and transport the sand out to sea. This has occurred here in years past. These situations are mostly beyond human control, and houses nearest the frontal dunes are most at risk. Due to the risks involved with building on sand dunes, it is strongly advised that should you wish to buy or build on a sand dune, then you will be living in a high natural risk area which may be affected by wave or wind erosion resulting in the loss of property and/or buildings.

For years now, the community of Todos Santos has posted signs on our beaches warning potential buyers of these risks, and that we do not support building on our dunes. Yet, in spite of these efforts to educate potential buyers and to build public awareness, two homes have been constructed and a third is going up now. Perhaps it could be stated in a more positive way.. that these efforts have actually not been for naught, since ONLY two houses have been completed. and nobody is buying them. Pity the innocent people from afar who think they are actually able to buy a piece of paradise on a beautiful, pristine beach in Mexico! What a shock to learn, too late perhaps, they were duped, and when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. - 30 Concerned Neighbors of The Las Tunas Dunes

A word to the wise buyer: Please evaluate the possible loss or damage you will inevitably sustain before purchasing or building on a dunes lot. There are so many other beautiful properties available for sale in Todos Santos, where you can safely build your dream home and enjoy becoming a welcomed member of our community.

Sea Turtles in Baja Info

Sea Turtles have lived on this earth an estimated 150 million years. There are seven species of these charismatic reptiles in the world, five of which live long periods of their lives foraging and nesting on the coasts off Baja California. These turtles migrate from as far away as Japan, the south of Mexico and Hawaii.

In every part of the world, sea turtles are considered threatened or endangered. Sea turtles are included on protection lists such as CITES, the IUCN's red list, the Interamerican Convention, and the United Status list of Endangered Species. International regulations have been established that prohibit capturing, killing or selling of sea turtles, and the federal laws of Mexico prohibit their killing throughout all parts of the country. Additionally, due to the large amount of turtles that are captured in the nets of shrimp and fishing boats, laws have been established in the U.S. and Mexico requiring that all trawling vessels use TEDs (Turtle Exclusionary Devices), which allow turtles to escape the nets.

Although they are protected, sea turtles need our help! They are regularly captured and sacrificed for the consumption of their meat and eggs. Sea turtles mature very slowly and live very long lives. They need to reach 20 to 30 years of age before they are sexually mature and able to reproduce, and most sea turtles return to the beaches where they were born to lay their eggs.

Coastal Development: Modification and the loss of coastal habitat that previously served as nesting areas is a threat to sea turtles. The lights from buildings along the coast can disorient the turtles that come to shore to lay their eggs, and many historical nesting sites have been destroyed completely. Sea turtles often return to the beach on which they were born to lay their eggs. If there is no longer a beach, or the beach is too developed, the turtle may not lay her eggs.

Ocean Pollution: Sea turtles can choke to death when they accidentally consume plastic bags and other types of trash. The turtles often mistake the bags and trash for jelly fish, a normal part of the diets of various sea turtle species. Additionally, other contaminants and chemicals that enter the ocean from our coasts and ships affect the health of turtles.

The coast along the Baja California peninsula and the Sea of Cortez is home to five of the seven species of the world's sea turtles. Local Sea Turtles nesting sites along Todos Santos coast line are mostly:

Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea, Tortuga Golfina)
The Olive Ridley is the most abundant of all of the species of sea turtle. They use the beaches in the south of the Baja California peninsula and Todos Santos and the state of Sinaloa (Mainland) for reproduction. They frequent the bays, estuaries and pelagic zones of the region for feeding.

The Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea, Tortuga Laúd)
The leatherback turtle is the largest of all the species of sea turtles and can be found throughout the world's oceans. Population data for these turtles indicate that they are confronting a grave problem of global extinction. Every few years they lay eggs they come to the beaches of Las Tunas.

The Mexican agency in charge of protecting turtles is PROFEPA; you can also send information on illegal activities to the regional office of PROFEPA. Toll free number in Mexico: 01.800.687.8477 Toll free number in the U.S.: 1.866.SEA.TIPS

Information above gathered from the sites below about our local turtle population.

Links for further information:
http://www.todostortugueros.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiR0RAGdvPQ
http://www.lasirenakayaksurf.com/id4.html
http://www.elcalendariodetodossantos.com/2009March/el-calendario-todos-santos-page_41.html
http://www.causes.com/causes/320821
http://www.propeninsula.org
http://www.grupotortuguero.org

The Impact of Proposed Housing Development On The Barrier Dunes of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico

The Barrier Dunes of Todos Santos and Housing Developments

The Ecological Impact
Erosion of the beach.
Destruction of the dunes.
Potential flooding of land now protected by dunes.
Destruction of turtle habitat (endangered leather back and others).
Buildings exacerbate wind erosion by raising the dune profile.
Leads to removal of the foliage in the huerta,
and destruction of wildlife.
Existing environmental standards are seldom enforced due to
under funding for environmental personnel.
Development proposed despite world-wide restrictions
of building on dunes.

The Impact on the Unique Natural Beauty of Todos Santos
Todos Santos would resemble Cabo San Lucas.
Natural beauty and uniqueness of Todos Santos compromised.
Overdevelopment & density cause light pollution and loss of wetlands.
Lack of architectural standards and effective controls would mean
buildings made higher than building codes specify.

The Impact on Infrastructure
Strain on our existing resources:
Water
Sewage
Roads
Schools
Social Problems
Bomberos

The Economic Impact
Very few if any new construction jobs for local population.
The only long term job development would be for service sector jobs.

Destruction of our uniqueness would result in fewer tourists and the
departure of those who came here because of the unique natural beauty.

For good reason Fonatur designated Todos Santos as an art colony,
not a destination resort like Cabo San Lucas.

Reprinted from the "Todos Santos Stop Dune Development Committee"

Todos Santos DUNES

Residents of Todos Santos know how fortunate we are to live in an area

of unique natural beauty. Our regional ecosystem, composed of oases,

palmars, mountains, dunes, and beaches, is unique on the Baja and

attracts tourists and residents from around the world. Growth in our

area is, of course, inevitable, and responsible development is welcomed.

Development that threatens what we most treasure - our ecosystem -

is not welcome.

Currently, our ecosystem is under siege. A proposal to develop over

80 small lots ON OUR DUNES is in the hands of government officials.

If the proposed development goes forward, building directly on

the dunes is foreseen, Cabo style. Concerned citizens of Todos Santos,

both national and international, are saddened that the environmental

agencies are not protecting the a fragile ecosystem from greedy and

aggressive developers.

Respected ecological organizations like Surf Rider, Natural Resource

Defense Council, Nature Conservancy, Trust for Public Land,

Wilderness Conservancy, Pro-Peninsula, Wildcoast International,

to name a few, are on record as opposing this type of development

for the irreversible devastation it creates.