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.