The Superior Administrative Court (TSA) ruled to revoke Environmental License 0373-19 granted for the Ritz Carlton Reserve’s construction in Boca de Yásica, Cabarete in Puerto Plata province during the Medina administration. The Ritz Carlton Reserve promoter is Connemara SRL and its principal shareholder, Ian Schembri Sant. The TSA decided against the development since it is in a protected area.
The Institute of Lawyers for the Protection of the Environment (Insaproma) submitted the claim for revoking the license, arguing that it violated Environment law 64-00.
Lawyers Euren Cuevas Medina and Nelson Pimentel of Insaproma, expressed their satisfaction with the higher court’s decision and said it was a victory for all Dominicans.
“With this decision, the Yásica River is saved. Wetlands, dunes and mangroves that were being destroyed are salvaged,” said lawyers Euren Cuevas Medina and Nelson Pimentel of Insaproma. They said that when former Environment Minister Angel Estevez issuing the license, he had violated the Constitution and the law. The lawyers argued that rivers, beaches and protected areas could not be privatized or transferred in the Dominican Republic.
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Diario Libre
23 December 2020