The Executive Branch authorized the construction of a US$25 million fuel terminal in Puerto Plata. Environmentalists and the tourism businesses in Puerto Plata oppose the installation of an Esso Standard Oil terminal. An environmental impact study done by the U.S. firm GeoChemical Engineering Inc. showed that Costambar, Cofresí and Riu Merengue tourism developments could be affected as they would be within the area of influence of the terminal. The study also showed it could affect three municipal potable water wells, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Rio San Marco.
