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Most Attendees at Marina Meeting Oppose Plans; Experts Highlight Risks
Posted by Editor | December 12, 2007 | Categories: Community News, Environment |
 A poster produced by one resident showing what Puerto Viejo could look like with increased development. Photo by Anne Clark, courtesy A.M. Costa Rica |
Saturday’s meeting at the Casa Cultural about the proposed marina at Playa Negra brought out about 60 people, mostly from the expat community. They came to hear several experts who had looked at the plans and came to give information on the risks that the marina could bring to the environment. The people attending the meeting were generally opposed to the project - a similar results to online comments on The Talamanca News where comments have run 14 to 1 against the project.
Several expert witnesses spoke on the possible environmental damage that this project could cause. Puerto Viejo lies between two protected areas, Parque Nacional Cahuita to the north and Refugio Gandoca Manzanillo to the south. Both contain important living reefs. Engineer Jose Alvarado highlighted in his speech that toxic products such as paint and oil used in the maintenance of the boats, along with an increase in sewage and pollution, could damage marine life in these two areas. Oceanographer Guillermo Quiros then questioned a report produced for the developers by Watermark S.A., and said that the firm’s study of the currents does not correspond with reality. He raised concerns that the breakwaters detailed by the plans, some of which will be 6 meters in height, could destroy the Salsa Brava, Costa Rica’s biggest and most powerful surf wave.
Other speakers were concerned about the economic impacts of the marina; that the high-brow marina customers would neither patronize existing Puerto Viejo businesses nor fit into the feel of the community. “The marina is going to be its own community,” said Jose Bizet Delgado, the meeting’s organizer. “It will include a commercial area with supermarkets, five-star hotels, restaurants and casinos. The people who come here on their yachts will not come into the town to use the services of local businesses.”
 Dana Gibson at the local Heladeria. Photo by Helen Thompson, courtesy A.M. Costa Rica |
“Rich people aren’t going to eat in little stores,” said language teacher Dana Gibson, a Californian who has been living in Puerto Viejo for four years. Everyone here will get bought out, and it will become Miami. We’re right on the edge – either we’ll be taken like everywhere else, or we’ll do it right.”
But not everyone in the community opposes the project. The developer claims that the local (i.e. Tico and Afro-Caribbean not expat) community overwhelmingly supports the project: “People up in Escazú live like they’re in the First World, but people in Talamanca live like they are in Uganda. 90 percent of the community in Puerto Viejo want this to happen. This is a community project with Costa Rican investors and it will be an ecological project that takes care of its environment,” said Walter Coto Molina, the developers’ lawyer and a former government minister.
“The marina is a necessity for Talamanca, Talamanca is the poorest zone of Costa Rica and this project is essential for its development.”
Coto did not attend the meeting.
Local residents look forward to the jobs that would be provided by the marina and to the more well-heeled tourists who they feel might spread their money around more liberally. The problem is that this experience has not been borne out in other developments - generally mega-developments for wealthy tourists leave little positive impact on the local community and import most of their workers as well. The kind of development that has taken place to date in Puerto Viejo is one that locals have the most opportunity to participate in as entrepreneurs and business owners, not just as maids and security guards.
Neither is everyone in the expat community against the project. Tina Stavest, owner of Jammin Juice and Jerk Joint, a restaurant situated near the development site, said: “I come from the coast of Canada, and we have hundreds of marinas there. They can fit in wonderfully if they are done right. There’s no reef here — the run-off from the banana plantations killed it long ago. Puerto Viejo was a harbor a long time ago when it was settled, and now it will be one again,” she said.
Opponents of the project face an uphill battle. While the marina plans have not yet been approved, as the developers have not completed an environmental impact study, the Municipalidad de Talamanca has declared its “marked interest in the execution of the marina plans” as a benefit to the economic and touristic development of the area. The opposition must now try to prove that the reef nearest to Playa Negra is still alive, and to continue pushing for Puerto Viejo to be declared a city, as this will give it an increased ability to influence the proceedings.
With contributions from: A.M. Costa Rica: Some Puerto Viejo expats feel threatened by marina.
Comments
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The wealthy expat community now against the marina wants to deprive the local Ticos of the same opportunities afforded them in their home countries. Opportunities that made them wealthy enough to arrive to shores of Puerto Viejo with their money (after electric and telephone service was provided of course) in order to set up their businesses, continue to sustain their first world standard of living and send their children to private school. To believe the project will not generate revenue for all businesses in the area is simply untrue and please feel free to point out a “mega-development” similar to this that has not. I might by some be considered a wealthy “high-brow” traveler myself but the very reason why I go places is to enjoy the local flavor whether be it St Barth, Punta del Este, St Tropez or Puerto Viejo. As matter of fact Lidias Place happens to be one of my personal favourites.
Walter Coto was NOT a MINISTER in the Costa Rican Government! The investors for the marina are not Costa Rican, unless Mr. Jan Kalina has nationalized, does anybody remember what he did out in Punta Uva? Eco-disaster that only benefited his pocket! Read the book La Loca de Gandoca and you will know exactly who is behind this marina! People do not come to the South Caribbean for yachting but for the natural beauty, which will be lost if a marina is built!
I think Editor needs to apologize to the thousands of maids and security guards that have to get up early every morning all over the country to proudly go to work in order to provide for their families,put food on the table and pay for their childrens education. They are performing an important task and deserve our utmost respect.
I certainly had no intention of disparaging the roles of maids or security guards! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with those professions. I was simply making the point that vast majority of economic benefits of these types of mega-projects don’t flow into local people’s hands.
[...] Most Attendees at Marina Meeting Oppose Plans; Experts Highlight Risks [...]
I believe the Marine project will bring no benefits to the local community of Puerto Viejo. I support the pacific battel of the Comité Patriótico and I say NO to the marina in Puerto Viejo.
stop the marine project the reason people go to Puero Viejo is because of the nature and local people we dont need what happened in the virgin Inlands to happen here the local people will not benift the will loss thier way of life and there beaches just so some outside people can get richer
there are plenty of places for yachts to go already. why do they need one more in between two of the most beautiful places on earth? I’ll tell you why in one simple word……greed! I hope that Puerto Viejo and the surrounding area defeat this capitalist crap and get on with their very simple and special way of life.
Hello,
sorry for my english (i’m from Spain). We make an anti-marina web site in spanish: http://www.salvemospuertoviejo.com
You can visit and if you want you can help us with the translation to english
Hey Cash you should check out Cuba or maybe North Korea with their very simple and special way of life. Last time I checked Costa Rica is part of the free world and a market economy where people have the freedom to build cabinas renting for $10/night or a marina worth $40 million.
I have lived in Costa Rica for many years. I have seen how beautiful beaches are being destroyed by expats. Locals hardly benefit at 1.25 US an hour.
I have also been in Puerto Viejo and I must say i didn’t like it at all. To many expats.
A marina would make things worse. Why not built something in Puerto Limon ???
In Golfito is a simular situation at hand.
Locals won’t profit, only already wealthy americans, destroying everything.
I thhink the marina is a wonderful idea. This will bring more jobs and infrastcure to the locals. The people that do not want the marina are the pot head north american and European hippies. They are unedgucated and live in a fantacy world. I am from Los Angeles and I think that ifrastructure is a must in this world we live in. This is non of north American’s and European’s business. This is Costa Ricas decission as to what they want to do with there country. If you do not agree, I know of a place you would like in Aferca were they have nothing. Ticos have the right to make money to.
All you north americans out there have good jobs or because of the amendities available to you in your country were able to move to CR in the first place. The reason why you are there in hidding is because you are running from something. You must obtain some form of financial benefit not having the marina there. The editor does not need to appoligize for anything he stated. He gave good points for and against, but you are just too ignorant to understand. I’ve traveled all around the caribbean and have never seen another country in more need of money and infrastructure like CR. All you people with the negative feedback on the marina need to leave because you are only hurting the true Costa Rican locals. They can and will benefit from the marina. I have my yacht and as soon as the marina is done I will employ a local $2,000 a month to watch over and maintain my yacht. i think this will pay for someones families wellbeing alot more than being a maid or bartender. I’m doing alot more for the locals then siting back and running my mouth against the marina. You are giving North Americans a bad name because the PV Ticos don’t have access to computers like we do. How did you manage to post your response making $1.25 an hour? All you people being negative against the marina need to stop now. The locals will start to see the benefits the marina will bring them and start doing things to you to make you leave. Whether you believe it or not, I’m actually looking out for your best interest.
Nicole…. If you have “not seen a country that is in more need of money or infastructure”, you obvioulsly have not got around very much.
When you are all holed up in your “yacht” with the $2000 month local to “watch over” you and your boat, you can turn on the foreign news with your Sat Dish and you will see plenty of countries that could really use a gal like you with lots of cash (with or without the yacht).
La Nacion had a great opinion piece the other day relevant to this subject in more ways then one. Check it out http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/julio/06/opinion1607156.html
Why is it that the folks that are the busiest working against the marina are not the locals but Europeans such as http://www.salvemosapuertoviejo.com out of Spain and North Americans such as http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com among others? I guess if you live in Spain or Canada, or run a business built on foreign capital, you can afford yourself the luxury of denying the local Ticos the opportunity to develop and prosper in their own hometown.
Firstly, Puerto Viejo Satellite and the Talamanca News have taken no official position on the marina. I have just published all the comments are articles and press that has come in on this issue. The fact the majority of those comments are anti-Marina is simply a function of our readership’s opinions which, being in English, is obviously not representative of the full local community.
Second, I do have a personal opinion that the marina development will NOT benefit locals in the long term and if I have spoken out against it personally in comments it is due to this. Perhaps some of the locals see money and jobs. However, a large corporation coming in to build such a project doesn’t have the commitment to the local community that the current small business owners do. Do you really think a large corporation will get their furniture made locally? Will support local restaurant owners? Will support local businesses making handicrafts? Etc Etc. It will all be imported from Asia no doubt. Sure there will be jobs for locals but will they have a long term commitment to that staff in the same way many of the current employers have?
Third, the environmental implications are clearly unsettled. There’s been plenty said on this topic already so I won’t repeat it but many locals also agree this project will change the place they love for the worse.
Fourth, this is an open forum as is the internet in general, supporters of the marina can comment here and have done so, supporters of the marina can put up their own pro-Marina website. I do sometimes resent that because we didn’t grow up there that we’re somehow criticized for expressing our opinions and wanting to make the place we live in what we believe is the best place for everyone. As such, I would personally appreciate people remember that their are human beings behind all these comments and when a comment takes on a negative attack mode, it is hurtful and unneccesary. Why not instead of attacking those who believe the marina is bad for the community do you not argue the issues themselves and give us sound arguments for the marina?
Doug Dosdall
Editor, Talamanca News and Puerto Viejo Satellite.
Despite Editor Doug Dosdall’s assurances otherwise, Puerto Viejo Satellite has in fact taken an official position against the marina project. Puerto Viejo Satellite is prominently listed on the anti marina website http://www.salvemospuertoviejo.com as a sponsor.
Maybe Editor just forgot.
Secondly, I want to point out that Costa Rica is a democratic country governed by laws. If the marina project fullfills the legal requirements, set by all applicable governement institutions in order to protect our natural resources and the environment, the marina will have the green light to go ahead. Our personal opinions, no matter what they are, have nothing to do with this strictly legal process. Therefore Marina Ecologica New World have no reason nor obligation to host a “pro-marina” website.
Salvemos linked to Puerto Viejo Satellite — I don’t have any control over their website nor has Puerto Viejo Satellite given them any financial or other support other than reporting on their efforts in the news.
I really don’t get Tamanaco’s second point. So you’re saying that people shouldn’t get involved in their community and their government and try to make positive changes? All I was saying is that the internet is a free place for the exchange of ideas and if the Marina people don’t seem to be winning hearts and minds they can start their own website or do whatever they wish. Or they can ignore public opinion if they don’t care about public support and if they already have the support of the officals needed to move the project forward.
I just don’t understand why all those who care about the marina issue can’t just stick to debating the issues and instead feel they have to attack the personal integrity of those they disagree with.
Puerto viejo satellite has its banner logo with link under the caption “Nos apoyan” that translates to “they support us” on the anti marina website. I am sure PVS can ask to be removed from the list of supporters if they so requested. If they fail to remove PVS can publicly denaunce the site. This would clear any doubts anybody might have on PVS official position on this issue.
Let me be clear, I encourage community envolvement and a respectful informed debate on the issues. Puerto Viejo have many real and pressing issues that needs to be addressed such as a rising crack and insecurity problem that already affect the community today. The lack of professional schooling and training in the different aspects of tourism and plain customer service is another. All which could be adressed by community involvment and with the help of local business community. However to go back to the potential marina, that is still undergoing its lengthy feasibility and approval process, I do not believe that Puerto Viejo can afford to say no to development that will bring jobs, infrastructure, security, watertreatment processing plants and taxincome for one of the poorest municipality in the country. This without giving up a single inch of national park, or the otherwise environmentally protected areas, that allready encompasses some 89% of the whole Talamanca.
We live in a changing world and Puerto Viejo is evolving with it. We cannot stop progress nor should we. Puerto Viejo is not a secret anymore.
The $500 million Isla Moin, a stone throw north of PV, will attract an estimated 83% of all leasure boat traffic on the caribbean seaborder. Their 500 slip marina will be filled with boaters looking for a day trip. Would we rather have them tie up to our floating marina inviting them to spend their day (and money) in PV or just anchor up on our reefs on their way south. To the south Panama is increasing its efforts in bringing tourism to Bocas del Toro and in turn increase boat traffic from the south of our borders. See http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/julio/15/economia1620692.html
The existence of a marina would also impede drug trafficking by it hosting coast guards, immigration officers and drug enforcement agents.
In addition to the economical and security benefits for the area a marina in PV will bring control to the increasing boat traffic along our beaches and help minimize the potential environmental effects.
Unfortunately, I feel the postings against the marina are more tainted by bitter social resentment than clearheaded arguments.
Thanks for posting that information Tamanaco — I think this is good information and a substantive argument.
You make some excellent points. I just hope that whatever happens, the best result for the community is achieved.
Everyone loves Free Speech until someone expresses it.
….Praise The lord and Pass the Prozac.