PRESS RELEASE
March Against Blocking of Beach Access
Isla de Culebra, Puerto Rico
Sunday October 16, 2005
Over 200 island residents assembled Saturday, October 15th to march in protest of the blocking of beach access on the municipal island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The diverse group included fishermen, teachers, health care professionals, ministers, environmentalists, the Culebra Foundation, ex-patriots from the United States, local artists, authors and musicians and Culebra “caballeros” or horsemen. The people were led by former mayor Don Ramon Feliciano Encarnación, and the activity invoked the spirit of past community actions where in the 70’s, and under his leadership, the community convinced the U.S. Government to stop the use of the island as a base for NATO target practice. The community rallied Saturday morning in the plaza. The march began at 3:00 pm at the airport and terminated at the concrete wall now blocking the access road that runs around the lagoon and terminates at the NE corner of Flamenco beach.
Over the past few years, legal conflicts have been escalating regarding the blocking of beach access throughout the island. Beach tourism is economically important to the island and most locals head for the more secluded beach destinations to enjoy the tranquility and nature away from the tourists.
The march took place under police supervision on the traditional access road to what locals call the “muellacito,” or small pier on Flamenco beach. The area is located at the north eastern tip of the beach and is sheltered on two sides by what is left of two small piers built by the Navy. This is the area where Culebrenses bring their children to learn to swim. The historic access terminates in a small wooded parking area under the canopy of sub-tropical rain forest vegetation. Parents allow their children to visit the “muellacito” with environmental organizations in partnership with church groups and local tutoring programs as this location is considered a safe location to learn about their marine ecosystem. Without driving access, this educational opportunity will no longer be possible because an accident in the water, or seizure demands quick exit from the site. Coral monitoring and restoration plans for the area are also now postponed.
Blocking this access road is a four foot tall, 16 inch thick concrete wall that appeared to have already been addressed to some degree by a jack hammer. Protesters witnessed a new towering locked gate recently erected across the road and before the wall. Another tall gate was erected blocking a small concrete road left by the Navy that runs up Monte Resaca.
To date the local government agencies have been unwilling or unable to protect the Public’s Trust (beaches and access) from privatization on Culebra.
Contact: Don Ramon Feliciano 787-742-3551
March Against Blocking of Beach Access
Isla de Culebra, Puerto Rico
Sunday October 16, 2005
Over 200 island residents assembled Saturday, October 15th to march in protest of the blocking of beach access on the municipal island of Culebra, Puerto Rico. The diverse group included fishermen, teachers, health care professionals, ministers, environmentalists, the Culebra Foundation, ex-patriots from the United States, local artists, authors and musicians and Culebra “caballeros” or horsemen. The people were led by former mayor Don Ramon Feliciano Encarnación, and the activity invoked the spirit of past community actions where in the 70’s, and under his leadership, the community convinced the U.S. Government to stop the use of the island as a base for NATO target practice. The community rallied Saturday morning in the plaza. The march began at 3:00 pm at the airport and terminated at the concrete wall now blocking the access road that runs around the lagoon and terminates at the NE corner of Flamenco beach.
Over the past few years, legal conflicts have been escalating regarding the blocking of beach access throughout the island. Beach tourism is economically important to the island and most locals head for the more secluded beach destinations to enjoy the tranquility and nature away from the tourists.
The march took place under police supervision on the traditional access road to what locals call the “muellacito,” or small pier on Flamenco beach. The area is located at the north eastern tip of the beach and is sheltered on two sides by what is left of two small piers built by the Navy. This is the area where Culebrenses bring their children to learn to swim. The historic access terminates in a small wooded parking area under the canopy of sub-tropical rain forest vegetation. Parents allow their children to visit the “muellacito” with environmental organizations in partnership with church groups and local tutoring programs as this location is considered a safe location to learn about their marine ecosystem. Without driving access, this educational opportunity will no longer be possible because an accident in the water, or seizure demands quick exit from the site. Coral monitoring and restoration plans for the area are also now postponed.
Blocking this access road is a four foot tall, 16 inch thick concrete wall that appeared to have already been addressed to some degree by a jack hammer. Protesters witnessed a new towering locked gate recently erected across the road and before the wall. Another tall gate was erected blocking a small concrete road left by the Navy that runs up Monte Resaca.
To date the local government agencies have been unwilling or unable to protect the Public’s Trust (beaches and access) from privatization on Culebra.
Contact: Don Ramon Feliciano 787-742-3551
posted by CORALations at 3:00 PM
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