Destruction of the Lagoon at Las Canas

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Simon & Nicky

Bronze
Feb 3, 2004
655
14
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www.simon-hall.co.uk
I was down there yesterday. The lagoon behind the sand spit is now just about totally destroyed. I watched four massive mack trucks fill up with sand and drive away. There are two issues here:

1) The lagoon is a beautiful spot and should be protected. - It should not be stolen away by a few greedy people.

2) The sand is used in construction which is VERY BAD - You would not want to buy a house made of that stuff.

I hate to post and go but I've just got too much to do. Someone who reads this board and cares about the North Coast might want to go and take a look. I have photo's of the number plates of two of the lorries that I caught red-handed.

It's a lovely spot for a picnic - or it was once ... Take the turn off for Las Canas which is on the main road before you get to Gasper Hernandez and drive about 3 miles back down the sandy road to get there. - Do not attempt the journey in a car if it's been raining, four wheel drive is best.
 
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Criss Colon

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
21,843
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yahoomail.com
"Same $hit,Different Day"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All Conditions NORMAL For The DR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What do you expect in a country that has no self respect????
Eight years ago I bought a beautiful home in "Las Colinas de Arroyo Hondo".The house is on a hill overlooking Santo Domingo ,in the distance,and the "Zooloico"(Zoo) right below me. Surrounded by "Green".But that was "THEN",and this is "NOW"!!!!
To make a long story short. The Zoo's public land was given to "Bisono" Construction Company.(A powerful "Name" in the DR) Very Connected Politically.
They took that beautiful GREEN Area,and built about 20 three story apt. buildings,and 30 houses!!!
One of their cement trucks ranover and killed a 6 year old neighboorhood girl.Didn't even slow them down.When the neighboors on her street blocked her street,Bisono thought he would then use "MY STREET".WRONG!!!!!!! I stood in front of their trucks blocking the street.(Reminded me of "Tien A Min Sq.!!!)When they thought they would "move" me,out came my neighbor,a General in the "Policia National" (Who came armed!) They changed their mind.The whole neighboorhood cheered! But the construction went on! "Someone" threw a can of black paint on the billboard Advertising the apt complex!!:cheeky:
In this country,more than most others,"Money and Power TALK,while Bull$hit" WALKS!!
Don't hold out ANY HOPE!
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Robert

Robert

Stay Frosty!
Jan 2, 1999
20,573
342
83
dr1.com
Does anyone know if the Minister of tourism is developing a project in the area? He has been in the news recently for his own construction project violating environmental law.

Daily News - Wednesday, 06 September 2006

Coalition protests against Tourism Minister
The Coalition for the Defense of Protected Areas is denouncing the fact that the Minister of Tourism is a leading participant in a tourism project that violates the law. The Coalition points to the case of Vistamare in Samana, that is already under construction without having presented the required environmental impact study, and for which an unprecedented exception by Presidential decree was obtained for the company to make use of the 60 meters of seafront. Vistamare is a 140-unit development with ocean views. According to a report in Hoy, the development will call for a RD$580 million investment. Properties are for sale for US$168,300 to US$388,080.
As reported in El Caribe, the Coalition has presented the case to the National Ethics Commission. Copies have also been sent to the government's anti-corruption department (DEPRECO), the Foundation of Institutionalism and Justice (FINJUS), Citizen Participation (PC), the Supreme Court of Justice, Greenpeace of Spain, Ecologists in Action, the National Competitiveness Council, the Ministry of Environment, Environment Attorney General's Office, and to the Inter-American Press Association.
Presidential Decree 688-05 November 2005 authorized the builders to "make use of the 60 meters of seafront located south of the Samana-Las Galeras highway, in Los Naranjos. Nevertheless, the same decree made it conditional for the hotel company to meet the Ministry of Tourism and Environment's requirements. The Coalition says that the project does not have permission from the Ministry of Environment to start construction. Deputy Environment Minister Zoila Gonzalez said that the company could be penalized for starting construction.
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez is listed first as the founder and "one of the principals of the project" on the Vistamare aparthotel website. The website highlights the fact that Jimenez is the current Dominican Minister of Tourism, in his second term after serving in the same post from 1996-2000. Other "principals" are Gevisa, described as a well-known development and real estate company in Santo Domingo. Gevisa is also the developer of Pueblo Bavaro in Punta Cana, another development linked to the Dominican Tourism Minister. Felix Antonio Jimenez is also listed as a "principal" and as the architectural project designer. He is described as president and founder of Turinter, one of the country's leading tour operators.
The Coalition is also protesting about the fact that Tourism Minister Jimenez handpicked Francois Fontes of the French company Argos to carry out the ground organization plan for Samana that categorized the property used for Vistamare. Argos and Fontes are the same people who bid for a free concession for the protected Bahia de las Aguilas land in Pedernales to develop eco-lodges.
The Coalition mentions that the Ministry signed a contract with Fonte last year for EUR270,000 to carry out the ground use plan for Samana.
Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez's was not available for comment because he is abroad, according to his communications department.
http://www.samanavistamare.com/theteam.htm
 
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gamana

New member
Apr 24, 2006
225
2
0
i was there (las canas lagoon) too about two months ago and saw couple trucks loading sand as well. i did not have a camera. They left in a rush.

From what i understand it happens a lot, other beaches, rivers, etc...

it is very sad but i don't see how this could be controlled. There are so many isolated places in DR. Even if the government had to make a law forbidding it, if one does not exist already, i don't see how they could prevent it. They can't post guards at every single possible location throughout DR and even if they started doing it, thieves would go somewhere else.

Only density could generate "some" control but now, what is really better? trucks stealing sand or the entire beachfront full of homes and condos?
 
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