Ambassadors Hans Hertell of the United States, Adam Blackwell of Canada, Miguel
Amado of the European Union, Andrew Ashcroft of the United Kingdom, and Rasha
Ter Braack of the Benelux countries jointly expressed their profound concern for
the impact on the population of the proposed mutilation of the national system
of protected areas, as reported in Hoy newspaper. The diplomats said they
recognize the importance of tourism for economic development, but that any
decision made to reduce the boundaries of the parks should be evaluated
carefully. The embassies are offering technical assistance to this end.
As reported in Hoy newspaper, in a letter dated 7 May sent to President Hipolito
Mejia and the leaders of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, Jesus Vasquez and
Alfredo Pacheco, the diplomats alert that tampering with the protected areas
would affect the achievements of the regulatory framework and environmental
protection through the General Law of Environment and Natural Resources 64-00.
?International experience has shown that a well managed system of protected
areas can represent an important comparative advantage for the development of
tourism and the country overall,? state the diplomats in their letter,
highlighting the importance of the protected areas for the DR?s future.
They urge that the Chamber of Deputies seriously assess the bill before passing
it, as part of a process that may bring about solutions backed by evaluations
and impartial technical studies that may be largely supported by the general
public.
The Senate proposal withdraws 202 square kilometers from the Enriquillo Lake
National Park. Another approximately 143 square kilometers from the National
Park of the East are freed up for hotel development along all the coasts of the
peninsula between Bayahibe and Saona Island on the East, and between San Rafael
de Yuma and the Saona island on the West. Likewise, Samana would lose its
protection for the sanctuary of marine mammals and the Cayo Levantado island
area. Monte Cristi would also see the protection of the country?s largest coral
reefs evaporate.
The bill is up for approval today in the Chamber of Deputies, which has shown
unusual interest in fast-tracking the changes prior to the presidential
election.
If changes to the bill are made in the Chamber of Deputies, they will need to be
sent to the Senate for approval. Extraordinarily, with the Presidential election
scheduled for this Sunday, 16 May, the Senate has said it will hold a session on
Thursday, 13 May.
Meanwhile, Johnny Bernal, the president of the National Association of Hotels &
Restaurants (Asonahores), stated in the public hearing at Congress yesterday,
?Why so much rush to pass this bill?? He suggested that the bill be thoroughly
debated after the Presidential election has taken place. He stated that the
modifications must be made on a scientific basis. He said that the bill received
from the Senate contains major errors. Asonahores was one of 35 environmental,
touristic and civic society groups that protested the bill during yesterday?s
public hearings held at the Congress.
The session began at 10am and was abruptly interrupted at 2pm after a young girl
who identified herself as Sandra Dominici questioned the environmental knowledge
of the members of congress and accused these of only being concerned about their
luxury vehicles.