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Wildlife
Santo Domingo ASADA is Low on Water and Overdue for Elections
  • Family Denounces ASADA for Not Granting Water Access
  • PanAmerican Woods In Process of Donating Well Rights to the Town

By Arianna McKinney

In the mountains above Samara, the Santo Domingo ASADA (Water Administration Association) has been facing the challenge of how to administer water to approximately 150 inhabitants when the town’s one water source is insufficient, prompting the Diaz family to denounce the ASADA and turning the spotlight on PanAmerican Woods. 

Maria Jesus Diaz Jimenez related that she recently solicited a water tap but was told that there’s no more water. In the meantime, she said her mother has to go to the river for water. 

Gladys Lopez Arias, vocal for the ASADA, explained, “For the town, it’s very little the water that exists. More water can’t be given to anyone. It’s in process with AyA.”
 
The current board of directors should have ended their two-year term at the end of May and new elections should have been held, but the ASADA’s president, Saturnino Briones, explained that they haven’t been able to schedule a date to convene an assembly because AyA wants to have a representative present when the new board is elected and hasn’t yet indicated a date when a representative can attend.

Concerns of Contamination and Deforestation
Diaz Jimenez pointed out that the president of ASADA works for PanAmerican and the official representative of the company, Corey Miller, serves as vocal, alleging that the interests of PanAmerican’s lumber company and real estate development are affecting the administration of water and that the development in the mountains of Santo Domingo could potentially affect Mala Noche, located at the base of the mountain, which is the main water source for Samara and El Torito.

PanAmerican Woods Real Estate is selling lots for a housing development in Santo Domingo.  Currently, Miller said there are 30 lots but depending on the market, more could be created. In all, the company owns 1600 hectares of land in Santo Domingo. 

Regarding concerns for the environment, Miller commented that 32% of the company’s land is categorized as protection zone, and his assistant, Byron Miranda Salas, explained that in the housing development they are trying to not move earth and that each house has its own water treatment plant. He acknowledged that the development isn’t 100% green but affirmed that the company is doing everything possible to protect the environment. 

Deforestation has been a concern, noted Rodolfo Diaz Mendoza, fiscal for the ASADA, but this year the ASADA together with PanAmerican and Las Ventanas homes and condos began a reforestation project recommended by MINAET to protect the water sources. ICE donated 300 trees for the first stage of the project. 

Water Sources in PanAmerican’s Property
“We need development but of good proceedings. The water is theirs now practically,” Diaz Jimenez asserted. On the other hand, she also affirmed, “They think we’re against PanAmerican. It’s not that. We are fighting for water.” 

At the moment, Santo Domingo’s 35 houses depend on the town’s only water source, which only had enough water pressure to supply 7 houses according to a study performed at the end of dry season in May of 2011. Other potential water sources are all located within the property of PanAmerican.

According to the same study, none of the sources could provide enough potable water except for the well, which has the potential to supply water to 124 houses.

Miller explained that PanAmerican has signed an agreement with intentions of donating a concession to the well in the name of the ASADA, but the agreement is pending review by AyA. 

 

More Regional News

RAASA In Charge of Maintenance Works on Nosara – Samara Route 160
Company will start works next week, these will continue until the end of the year

Constructora RAASA will be in charge of maintenance works on Route 160 between Samara and Nosara. These will start next week and will last until December 2012.

National Registry Launches New Website
Site offers consultations and free certificates

Long lines to request a certificate or to check on your property’s status are a thing of the past. Now all these things are just a click away, by visiting the website rnpdigital.com

Tips to Protect Your Laptop from Thieves

Proper preparations prevent poor performance, and keeping tabs on your coveted PC or Mac laptop, and the information inside it, should be at the top of the list of preparations whether here in Costa Rica or abroad.

Legislators Negotiate Consensus for Coastal Territories Law Project
Law Would Not Include Protected Areas Except for Ostional Refuge

Representatives from the Citizen Action (PAC) and Ample Front (FA) parties debated various changes to the Coastal Territories Law, known as Tecocos, to gain a consensus with the legislators from the other factions.

Nicoya Doctors Protest Against On Duty and Shift Cuts

Nicoya’s medical center is taking steps to reduce costs and the emergency department was the first to be affected. There, medical work-hours and calls have been cut back during weekends and holidays, as is confirmed in a statement sent by hospital director, Juan José Li Kam, and signed by 22 physicians.

New Liquor Law with ¢180.000 Fine For Drinking In The Street

We've seen them at the topes, the parades, in the beach towns, coming out of a bar, all with a beer or drink in hand, a practice that many in Costa Rica have taken as custom.

El Niño Strikes Again, Causing High Tides and One of the Driest “Rainy” Seasons Ever

This is rainy season? Feels like summer! And although the sunny days are a delight, it automatically raises concerns about the months to come: will crops get enough water? Will there be enough water in the wells to supply homes and businesses throughout the real dry season?

Despite Efforts to Help the Elderly, Abuses Continue

La region of the Peninsula of Nicoya stands out for having the largest number of longest-living inhabitants in the entire country, and during the annexation celebrations on July 25th, nine of the oldest adults in the canton, five of whom are more than 100, received recognition from President Chinchilla. 

Pictures and News of the Month

The Voice of Nosara brings you a brief recap of July stories you might have missed.

Nicoya Municipality Ranks 65th Nationally
– Nicoyan Mayor Affirms that Rating Doesn’t Reflect Reality
– Councilmember Acknowledges Room for Improvement

The Municipality of Nicoya dropped from 55th place nationally in 2010 to 65th place in 2011 in the results of the Municipal Management Index (IGM), which evaluates the management performed by a total of 88 local governments during the year.

Controller Won’t Penalize Nicoyan Auditor for Alleged Tax Evasion
Comptroller’s Organ Affirms that Proceeding Didn’t Meet Current Regulations

The Controller General of the Republic decided not to penalize the current auditor of the Municipality of Nicoya, Gilberto Lizano Elizondo, for alleged tax evasion as it was determined that the disciplinary proceeding didn’t fulfill the requirements of due process. 

Poor Families Finally Have Homes in Santa Martha

Sixteen years after the land was bought, six houses have finally been built for poor families in Santa Martha and paperwork is in process for four to six more houses. 

Robbery Rises in Nicoya Canton While Decreasing in San Jose

“In the last two years, Costa Rica was the only Latin American country that reduced the crime indexes,” the Presidential House posted on Facebook on Friday, July 20th.  

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