Or Just Suicidal????
Isn't anyone else startled and worried about these sudden plans to either close Duquesa and create a new dump elsewhere, or "move" Duquesa to a new locale????
First off, let me say that there is little chance of preparing a new, technically sound landfill (not going to use the word "sanitary") in a new locale in only 45 days. These things take studies, EIA prep, and then actual site preparation, all of which can take a year or two.
Second, the bird problem they want to address would only go away if they fully closed Duquesa or moved it. Closing it properly in a few months might (huge emphasis on the "might") be feasible if all conditions were favorable, but who's betting on that in the DR, much less a financially-strapped DR in an election year?
Moving it properly would take months, not 45 days, and that still begs the question where are they going to create a new dump that does not entail greater environmental and/or health risks than Duquesa does already???? Where indeed? Capotillo? Ozama? Boca Chica? Haina? San Cristobal? Where can you find a suitable site not near a river or key groundwater reservoir that is in a sparsely-populated area close to Santo Domingo (because the further away, the greater the cost of transporting the waste, leading to clandestine dumping)?
Equally important, since we are discussing the DR, is who is being given the contract to do the job (naturally it will be an emergency contract not open to public tender, and therefore not scrutinized irate: )? And who will operate the new dump? There is already conflict among the municipalities over who can use Duquesa and what tipping fees must be paid? Do you wish to find out that another unbreakable, outrageously expensive long-term contract (as was done for waste collection in Santo Domingo under Balaguer) has been signed with some previously unheard of corporation that exists solely as a PO box in Panama????
Your Moderator, Wishing He was in SD Right Now to help lead the public debate on this one...
Isn't anyone else startled and worried about these sudden plans to either close Duquesa and create a new dump elsewhere, or "move" Duquesa to a new locale????
First off, let me say that there is little chance of preparing a new, technically sound landfill (not going to use the word "sanitary") in a new locale in only 45 days. These things take studies, EIA prep, and then actual site preparation, all of which can take a year or two.
Second, the bird problem they want to address would only go away if they fully closed Duquesa or moved it. Closing it properly in a few months might (huge emphasis on the "might") be feasible if all conditions were favorable, but who's betting on that in the DR, much less a financially-strapped DR in an election year?
Moving it properly would take months, not 45 days, and that still begs the question where are they going to create a new dump that does not entail greater environmental and/or health risks than Duquesa does already???? Where indeed? Capotillo? Ozama? Boca Chica? Haina? San Cristobal? Where can you find a suitable site not near a river or key groundwater reservoir that is in a sparsely-populated area close to Santo Domingo (because the further away, the greater the cost of transporting the waste, leading to clandestine dumping)?
Equally important, since we are discussing the DR, is who is being given the contract to do the job (naturally it will be an emergency contract not open to public tender, and therefore not scrutinized irate: )? And who will operate the new dump? There is already conflict among the municipalities over who can use Duquesa and what tipping fees must be paid? Do you wish to find out that another unbreakable, outrageously expensive long-term contract (as was done for waste collection in Santo Domingo under Balaguer) has been signed with some previously unheard of corporation that exists solely as a PO box in Panama????
Your Moderator, Wishing He was in SD Right Now to help lead the public debate on this one...
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