Environmentalist Luis Carvajal says that the bus terminal under construction by the Ministry of Public Works on the Las Americas Expressway needs an environmental license. Carvajal said the “letter of no objection” written by the Ministry of Environment is not sufficient and that the government is in violation of its own requirements.
He said the construction of the bus terminal 30 meters west of the Los Tres Ojos Park, on grounds of the Mirador del Este Park is illegal. The “no objection” letter only applies to projects under 3,000 square meters. The terminal under construction has around 25,000 square meters and is located beside a vulnerable Los Tres Ojos Park natural monument. He said that Environmental Minister Angel Estevez, who has signed the letter of no objection, is subject to be accused of prevarication.
Carvajal says that Environmental Law 64-00 is very clear in the requirements for the construction of bus terminals. Missing for the project are the required environmental license that calls for an environmental impact study, a management plan, and social approval that is granted after a public hearing.
Environment Minister Angel Estevez has said that those who oppose the terminal do so for private interests. But Carvajal denied the accusation and said he is merely demanding that the Ministry comply with the law. He added: “There’s apparently been a formal violation of the established law, given that permits are not granted by a letter issued by the minister. Rather, the process requires that a technical committee prepare a recommendation based on a series of studies,” Carvajal said, noting that the city council also needs to approve any proposed change of use of the chosen government site.
He said the potential ecological negative effects of the project have not been described given that environmental impact study has not been presented. “A project of this nature cannot be allowed to go forward before clearly demonstrating that the construction will not harm the natural beauty of the area,” he said.
The construction of the bus terminal at that site is also opposed by the Academy of Sciences. In a document made public, the Academy of Sciences states: “There are plenty of suitable spaces to build a project like that in Boca Chica, La Caleta and the surroundings of the Juan Bosch City, among others, but not in Parque del Este, a marvelous development that is located in the very heart of the capital city.”
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El Dia
8 October 2018
