The Executive Branch sent the Senate a bill that would regulate the trade of wild fauna and flora in the Lake Enriquillo area, as reported in Hoy newspaper. In the introduction to the bill, President Mejia states that it is an important initiative to strengthen and consolidate general aspects of various related conventions to which the Dominican Republic is a signatory. President Mejia was referring to the International Convention for Threatened Wild Life Species, and that which relates to the biological diversity of wetlands (Convention of Ramsar), passed by the Legislative Chamber by way of Resolution Nos. 550 of 17 June 1982, 25-96 of 2 October 1996 and 177-01 of 26 June 2001.
Ironically, the environmental protection bill coincides with President Mejia?s announced intentions to ratify the Sectoral Protected Areas bill passed in Congress, despite widespread opposition.
In a letter to President Hipolito Mejia on 7 May 2004, the Ramsar Secretariat had expressed profound concern regarding this bill in view that one of the areas that would be affected is Lake Enriquillo, included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance by the Government of the Dominican Republic on 15 May 2002. With a length of 35kms, Lake Enriquillo is the biggest lake in the Caribbean region and one of the most vital areas to the conservation of biodiversity in the Dominican Republic.
The site?s significance to the biodiversity of the region is due to the fact that it supports three of the largest reptiles found on the island, all of them threatened. It also provides a habitat for at least 65 species of domestic and migratory birds, of which five are endangered. Caves decorated with pictographs and petroglyphs by the pre-Hispanic Taino people can be seen there, including one of the best examples of Taino art, an ancient coral reef called Las Caritas, which is an archaeological site frequently visited by tourists.
In the letter dated 7 May letter, the Ramsar Secretariat noted that several international agreements, including the Ramsar Convention, will be adversely affected by the Sectoral Protected Areas bill, and therefore urged the Dominican Republic government to adhere fully to its international responsibilities under the convention. Finally, the secretariat offered its support to the authorities to help find and develop sustainable mechanisms and schemes that further the amelioration of the Dominican Republic’s economy whilst ensuring the continuing conservation and prudent use of its natural resources.
http://www.ramsar.org/w.n.dominican_law.htm#english