 |
 |
 |
March 01, 2008 |
|
|
Assault on the Osa Biological Corridor in Southern Costa Rica |
 Alvaro Ugalde
In my condition of founder of the national parks of Costa Rica, and based in legal actions entered by the Ministry of Environment, I have the responsibility to inform the people of Osa and the national and international conservation community, of an assault on this precious corridor that is happening at an alarming rate and with such force that the corridor between Santa Cecilia and Los Pargos could be destroyed within a year - OR LESS. I can imagine this sounds dramatic, but I have been gathering information about some businesses that are proceeding with large development residential tourism projects (condos, houses, lots for sale). It would not take much to create a gap in the corridor and effectively eliminate the free passage of wildlife so important to the concept of a healthy biological corridor between Corcovado and Piedras Blancas national parks. These projects, according to the ministry legal complaint, are illegal in that they have no permits from the environmental protection agency or MINAE itself. They are proceeding at an incredibly aggressive and damaging rate. So much damage has already been done that we must do anything we can do to halt it now. I am currently working with leaders, businessmen, scientists, local people, lawyers and many other interested people and organizations, national and international, in hopes we can bring these projects to the public attention and get them stopped permanently.
Thank you so very much for your time in reading this. Please join us in denouncing these projects by signing the attached letter and sending it to the President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias Sánchez.
Alvaro Ugalde (Creator of Corcovado National Park )
For more info about how you can contribute to the Osa Campaign and the legal defense fund
Contact alvarof.ugalde@gmail.com
|
A Call For Immediate Action on The Osa ! |
 Environmental Court Stops Illegal Developments in Lagoon of Sierpe
The Administrative Environmental Court finishes closing the illegal works that were made in the environs of the Sierpe Lagoon, in the Forest Reserve of Golfo Dulce. The president of the Court, Jose Chaves Linen, described "the illegal" constructions as such and maintained that the works have caused a "serious damage" to the humedal (wetlands). It appears, of a set individual cabins or cabins, all with vistas of the lagoon of Sierpe. Since last November, the Court had ordered the legal representatives of the property to suspend the construction, this morning they confirmed the works had continued and that already were constructed rooms. This morning, under a torrential heavy shower, three laborers were placing zinc laminae on the ceilings. In addition, there was no legal representative to whom to notify the paralyzation of the project. From September of the last year the Area of Conservation Bear, denounced the project, because it lacks environmental permissions. In addition, park guards stated that they had removed and destroyed 10-15 Hectares of trees in the 50 meters of protection of the lagoon. Both actions are "illegal", according to reconfirmó today Jose Chaves Linen.
To learn more about the destructing taking place right here and right now on the Osa -
Contact Vanessa Loaiza and Freddy Parrales vloaiza@nacion.com Osa (Puntarenas).
|
CUTTING and CONSTRUCTIONS CAUSED DAMAGES IN SIERPE LAGOON |
 FREDDY PARRALES YVANESSA LOAIZA Correspondent of the La Nacion, puntarenas Osa.
• Closed works within forest protected in Osa
• Environmental Court says that it will ask the people in charge to pay for damages caused
• Lawyers of the owner of property allege to have all the permissions
The Administrative Environmental last week closed the construction of projects located within a protected forest in the Forest Reserve Golfo Dulce, in the South Pacific. This court of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (Minae) stopped the advance of what appears are cabins or cabins, all with Vista to the beautiful lagoon of Sierpe, in Osa.
According to the president of the Environmental Court, Jose Chaves Linen, these works are "illegal", because they lack the necessary permits from the Environmental National Technical Secretariat (Setena) and the approval of the Area of Conservation Osa. According to the denunciation of the Area of Conservation, the people in charge of the project also destroyed trees in the 50 meters of protection of the wetlands, in a clear violation to the forest law. According to Chaves, the project appears in the name of Renaciendo en el Cerro Paraguas Muriseca, S. A. The president of the court notified the people in charge of the property they cannot continue with the constructions and that now will be up to the court to decide that they pay damage and take action to mitigate the damages bordering the lagoon and lands. Details. The property, that has an extension of 6,000 hectares, there is a mortgage of $1.530.000 to Carlos Luis Quesada Alvarez, dated the 16 of January of the 2008. Two people arrived at the site who claimed to be the representatives of an unidentified foreigner, who acquired the property recently. Eliécer Cascante and Sandra Madriz alleged that the cutting is outside the 50 meters of protection of the lagoon and that the constructions are legal because they say they have all the permissions of the Minae and the Municipality of Osa. They presented a permission of municipal construction granted the past Wednesday 27 of February. On this matter, Chaves said that that document does not have validity, because since November of last year the Court notified the mayor of Osa, Alberto Cole, that he could not authorize further permissions in the site. Therefore, the civil employee indicated that Cole will be named as co-defendant in the case, for failing to fulfill the actions of the court. La Nacion tried to obtain the comment of the mayor, but he did not respond to his cellular telephone.
For More info about how to help contribute and help stop these devastating projects -
Contact Vanessa Loaiza and Freddy Parrales vloaiza@nacion.com Osa (Puntarenas).
|
The Laguna Sierpe & Other Development Projects in Mogos ! |
 The project is called Finca Lago Manatí Osa
Current Owners are Renaciendo en el Cerro Paraguas Muriseca, S.A.
This Project is within the Reserva Forestal and also within the Sierpe-Térraba Ramsar Wetlands, a precious, unique and sensitive area. Friends visited the site via a boat in the lagoon in early September and took photos. Recently they hired a private plane and took aerial photos. I’m horrified that this project was happening as it will have devastating impacts on this lagoon which is so important to the Sierpe River, the wetlands and the local inhabitants. It is one of the primary nursery areas for fish and crocs, is abundant with wetlands and the birds that inhabit them. The project has put in 2 bridges to access the point where they have been creating their project, rerouting the water flows of the wetlands, and have built roads directly above the edge of the wetlands and lagoon. They are constructing a building and have several building sites levelled, all with views of the lagoon, some within 10-20 meters of the water edge.
Owner: Yacamar S.A.
Phone Number (on ‘for sale’ sign): 786-7953, 830-4332 cell
Plano #: 710-784-2001
This Project is entirely within the Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce, and the Osa Biological Corridor.
You may volunteer your time, resources and money to help prevent the destruction of the Osa Corridor. This unique area is under pressure from large scale developments , marinas, condos and other forms of ugliness. This is the only area connecting Piedras Blancas to Corcovado and we need your help to prevent and call awareness to illegal projects that are destroying our forests and the animals that live here.
To learn how to contribute to the Osa Legal Defense Fund contact Terri Peterson terrixp@gmail.com 506-888-0690.
|
Print Out, Sign and Send Your Letter to The President |
 Dear Mr. President,
We beg you to take immediate action in order to stop the destruction of the Laguna Sierpe and the Osa Biological Corridor, between Corcovado-Sierpe and Piedras Blancas national parks.Both sites are being devastated to turn them into residential and tourist developments. We cannot allow this to happen, the fragility of Osa will not support it.
With great respect, we beg you to turn the Sierpe Lagoon and its surroundings into a national park and protect it in perpetuity. As President of Costa Rica for the second time, a little country that really tries to save its natural heritage, and a Peace Nobel Laureate, this act would be your best legacy to future generations. Thank you for your vision and courage to declare peace to the Planet and to show your decision with facts. There is only one Osa in the Planet.
With sincere gratitude,
Yours,
Please send your Letter to Presidente Arias ASAP ! –
Doctor Oscar Arias Sánchez
Presidente de la República
Casa Presidencial
Apartado 520-2010
Zapote, San José
Costa Rica
lsolis@cadapres.go.cr - President Arias E-Mail
CC - Alvaro Ugalde, alvarof.ugalde@gmail.com
Vanessa Loaiza and Freddy Parrales vloaiza@nacion.com
Terri Peterson terrixp@gmail.com 506-888-0690
|
Paving Paradise As We Speak ! |
No Parking Lots Please ! Help us conserve The Osa and the pristine quality of life that exists here today. Contact Alvaro or Terry to find out how you can volunteer and help stop these destructive projects that threaten our lives and our neighbors li
|
