You Know that Pretty Little Island, Cayo Norte? Well...

Today's post is about Cayo Norte. You know, that pretty little island across from Zoni beach? That one. The one an individual bought a few years back, while we have waited and wondered what would be done to it. Now we know what the owner WANTS to do. More importantly. we know how it will impact the environment we love in that area, turtles, corals, and the aquatic world in general, as well as the quality of island life in particular.

Cayo Norte

It's not that we don't want you to do what you like with your island, Mr. Property Title Holder, or maybe it is. It's that we want what you do to be gracious to the area your property is an integral port of; that you would be a responsible island owner and neighbor. That you would love this land and sea and know that the truth is, we're all only caretakers for awhile; that the marks you make for good or not will be felt long after you are gone. Choose good ones.

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This is from Mary Ann, at Coralations, who works her butt off to keep us aware and informed and able to act. Make sure to check out all that Coralations is doing...did you have any idea?? If you love Culebra, I really encourage joining and supporting Coralations.

Please broadcast - deadline for comments is 23rd of June!....(envelopes must be stamped 23rd of June)

Cayo Norte is now in the end of planning process for two huge piers, fill for a ramp and apparently, although we have not obtained or seen any documentation on this, we understand there may be application for concession to use the entire critical habitat nesting beach in between ecologically important wetlands and shore for private use and development.  

 

Federal Coastal Zone Consistency

 

Cayo Norte seen from Zoni beach

Given the time constraints, the most effective course of action for Cayo Norte was decided to be: 

 

1) Inform the general public of what we know so those interested in independent action can submit comments. (see online contact information provided at http://coralations.phanfare.com/5166052#imageID=130980455) 

2) We will draft and submit CORALations comments with other local organizations and experts with copy for record. 

The best way people who are not already members can help here is to JOIN CORALations and become a part of our legal standing.  There is no cost associated with this membership for those people who are full time permanent residents of Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands, however we do need donations as well!  

 

Thats a good deal! 

 

It's a good deal because we founded CORALations with the intent to protect the coral reefs in partnership with important local voices that may not have financial resources. CORALations has obtained court rulings to upgrade coastal water quality standards for all of Puerto Rico, as well as to force the implementation of an anti-degredation policy in the Federal courts.  

 

* We will soon enjoy a damages hearing for the Resaca case victory. 

 

* We just celebrated our tenth anniversary providing educational aquatic activities for Campamento Amistad (approx 40 students annually.) 

 

* We brought in 60K this year to Culebra from NOAA for an employment linked watershed restoration project. This is to employ the local digger operators I typically chase around with a camera. 

 

* We administer an ocean studies classroom at the local public eco school and are forming partnerships with visiting scientists who are now writing in employment opportunities for local students in their future grant proposals for Culebra. 

 

* Culebra's coral farming and transplant project, on which we collaborate is celebrating it's 9th generation of clones, and the no take reserve for which we were honored with many other local orgs by a Coastal America's Spirit Award in 2006 will turn 12 years old this September - Fish population studies indicate the reserve is working to replenish some fish stocks, despite a complete lack of aquatic enforcement.  

 

* We are currently engaged in commenting and combatting many unsustainable development projects - moving this commitment through courts, as well as commenting on legislation in the region.  We need those who are not yet members to join and we need all donations.  

 

Write to info@coralations.org to join and / or send your tax deductible (in PR and US) donation to: 

CORALations

PO Box 750

Culebra, PR  00775

CORALations also is in need of a small portable scanner (paper feed model) and an Adobe Acrobat 9 or better program for OSX and Windows 7.   

Thanks for the question and hope that folks who are not yet members consider joining and/or volunteering! 

ABRAZOS

 

Mary Ann Lucking
Director

CORALations
P.O. Box 750
Culebra, PR 00775
www.coralations.org  
787.556.6234    
email:  maryann@coralations.org

Trabajando con comunidades del Caribe para proteger y restaurar

sus arrecifes de coral.

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Working with Caribbean communities to protect and restore their coral reefs.

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So that's that. Act on your love of Culebra and her sister islands. Thanks!

Have a monumental Monday! Do something movable.