The government has decided to go ahead and develop the fragile Bahia de las Aguilas reserve area. During yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, a plan to clean up the areas surrounding all tourist destinations was also announced. The United Nations Development Program (UNPD) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO) are supporting this effort. Government Council spokesperson Roberto Rodriguez said that the development of 39 kilometers of beach area in Pedernales would provide 17,500 jobs in one of the most economically depressed areas in the country. The plans include the construction of 3,500 hotel rooms in the previously environmentally protected area. There are 14 separate white sand beaches along the coastline, none of which have been touched by tourist projects. Bahia de las Aguilas is part of the UNESCO Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. See http://www2.unesco.org/mab/br/brdir/directory/… and http://www.bahiadelasaguilas.org