The European Union donated 290,000 euros (RD$13.34 million) for the reforestation of the Bahoruco Mountain Range. The National Office for the European Development Funds (ONFED) and the Environment Ministry signed the protocol that seeks to recover areas that were damaged by the bauxite mining activity of the Alcoa Exploration Company in the Pedernales province. The donation is part of the Sysmin Program of the European Union and represents the second phase of a program already underway. Area studies were carried out during the first phase, financed by a first 190,000-euro donation from the European Union received in 2000. The current phase calls for the planting of 20 hectares of a previously mined area, in addition to a nursery for the production of 120,000 plants a year and installation of communication services, watch towers and vigilance services to prevent deforestation and fires in the area. The donation is in recognition of the Environment Ministry’s work in handling this program.