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having read the story I would say that some buildings will be taken down as they are illegal (built on 80 degree slopes), stiff sanctions for enviromental breaches and possibly losing rights to build… I have to applaude the ministry for acting and I hope this stops other “dubious” developers from doing similar acts.
Scott Oliver is posting this letter which was sent to AmCostaRica.com (and us) by Aaron Dowd, the Managing Partner of the Cabo Caletas real estate development project in Esterillos which was mentioned in the AMCostaRica.com article….
From: Aaron Dowd
Managing Partner
Cabo Caletas Ocean and Golf ClubTo whom this may concern,
I have been a long time reader of AM CostaRica and have recently read your article Environmental Inspectors Close Three Pacific Projects by Helen Thompson from March 20th, 2008 and would like to make a response.
March 13th, we had an inspection from MINAE (the 8th visit in two months) so they could inspect our project as they are doing a major sweep through the country on every project under construction. We spoke with them, took them where they wanted to go and explained to them in great detail the project and our development process. We then showed them our paperwork and permits so they could see that we had everything in order. They were accompanied by two individuals from the Municipality of Parrita, six inspectors from MINAE including the senior official in Quepos and a reporter who was gathering facts and taking notes. At the end of the thorough visit, the senior official from MINAE told me that everything regarding our project was in order, that he was going to make a couple of recommendations and that we were doing a good job. I told him that anytime they wish to visit the site, just let us know and that we want to be completely transparent and that we were glad that they were doing these sweeps as regulations for development are good for the country. They then left to visit other projects in the area which they later shut down as your article had reported.
Although I cannot speak for the other projects mentioned in the article I can assure you that Cabo Caletas Ocean and Golf Club has gone above and beyond to comply with, and in some cases exceed, standards set by the environmental laws in Costa Rica.
For instance:
* When our project is completed, the building footprint on the entire 450 acres will be 15%.
* We are installing three sewer treatment plants. The treated effluent will be mixed with storm drainage (rain water) ,in lakes we are creating, to irrigate the golf course and common areas .This is very environmentally friendly and is not a requirement of any agency and is being done to benefit the environment.
* We are doing implementing several construction techniques for the golf course to decrease the rain runoff from the golf course, using a strand of grass that uses 50% less fertilizer and 30% less water for irrigation and have dedicated many areas for reforestation which will enhance the golf experience.
* We have done a full tree inventory in order to save specific trees and to incorporate them into our overall designs for streets, building sites and golf.
* We are using landscape lighting which is low lighting thus to cut down on the light pollution from street lights that other developments experience. This is also very good for nocturnal animals whose eyes are sensitive to the lights.
* We are creating a reforestation program for our pasture lands. We are building a nursery that will grow different species of plants, fruit trees and other vegetation to later replant throughout the project.
* We have a fulltime environmental consultant who sole purpose is to regulate our construction activities to make sure that we are not accidentally putting our project into a position where we could face potential delays.Regarding a few comments that are simply incorrect, Cabo Caletas does not have a river running through it. We have a creek that was certified by MINAE which we brought to their attention. This creek has a road crossing it with culverts so that the water is able to pass even with a 25 year storm which is what all of our storm drainage calculations are based upon.
We have not started construction on the golf course in the mentioned area described in the article. The headline picture was of our Access #2 which is under construction and the black pipes are expensive sewer lines which pump human waste to one of our three sewer treatment plants which then turns it into clean water for irrigating of common areas. It is important for the general public to understand the additional expense our project is incurring to do things right which is why most developments typically try to avoid installing sewer treatment plants. For us, septic tanks were not even part of the decision process especially if one plans to build a world class development.
In regards to the wetland comment, this is also incorrect and the investigation will show that we have the proper documentation and approvals from MINAE based upon many scientific studies that were completed by a variety of government agencies under the jurisdiction of MINAE and who have the authority to make such determinations.
Our golf course irrigation system will be supplied water through a rain water collection system we are implementing which uses our storm drainage system to retain and detain water run off. This is a system which has been used in other parts of the world and has been hailed as a pro-environmental solution as it serves the purpose of using storm drainage water for irrigation without tapping into the aquifer below thus creating water habitats for a variety of wildlife. It is a sensible and smart way of irrigation and this system is completely different from our potable water system.
The reason why I am taking the time to write this response is that if there was ever a project in Costa Rica that does comply with the rules, I would believe that it would be Cabo Caletas, as this is what we believe in. This is why our building coverage is at a low level compared to what we are permitted to do, why we have tree cutting restrictions for owners when they buy their home site, and why we have sewer treatment plants versus septic tanks which are proven to be hazardous. We, the owners, care about the environment and are creating a community that is blended into the environment. This is the whole point and is one of the reasons why I live in Esterillos Oeste full time and on site.
The article didn’t mention that we were closed by MINAE yet the lead picture and headline is of Cabo Caletas versus the other three projects that were actually closed down. Our point is that if a newspaper is going to report something, it is best to get the story correct and directly from the source versus printing something that can be potentially damaging or hurtful to a project that should actually be recognized for all of its pro-environmental actions. Cabo Caletas should not be thrown into the same category as other projects that have recently been shut down. We have not been shut down nor is there a reason for us to be shut down.
In addition, to being a pro-environmental project, we have had a positive economic affect for the local area of Parrita by doing things such as hiring a number of local residences for various jobs, donating a roof and new computer to the local Police Station in Esterillos which was previously shut down, donated thousands of dollars for the Aqueduct managed by ASADA for the local potable water system, assist our neighbor the wildlife refuge with resources dedicated to protecting it, sponsor many local kids for surf contests around the country and try to be a very good and positive neighbor for the area.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me directly.
Regards,
Aaron DowdFor rlungren
http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/marzo/19/pais1467474.html
MINAE informed that Residentials in Quepos and Parrita damaged environment
Tribunal closing 360 condominiums
• There were constructed 36 houses in a project where the permit was for 6
• The authorities are studying if more housing projects should be closed down.The Environmental Tribunal ordered to close three housing projects in Quepos and in Parrita for causing environmental damages around these areas.
The projects, “Costa Montaña” and “Hermosa Vista”, close to Jacó, plus the residential “Hills of Esterillos”, in Parrita, include the construction of 360 condominiums.
According to the Environmental Tribunal (autonomous institution from the Ministry of Environment and Energy), the developing of these complexes, derived in razed mountains, dead trees, buried creeks due to the sedimentation and wetlands in danger.
José Lino Chaves, the Environment Court’s President, said to La Nación yesterday that the conditions of those projects were unexpected and very regrettable.
Chaves said, “It is very unpleasant in the case of the project in Parrita, where there was not even construction permits” and the problem of “Hills of Esterillos”, is that according to the report of the Tribunal, they built 36 houses instead of the 6 that were authorized, and they were planning to build 64 more houses.
Nature in danger: in detail, the Environmental Tribunal notes that in the case of “Costa Montaña”, despite the fact that they had the Municipal and Environment permits, nature was damaged because of the construction in protected areas and on slopes of more than 60 grades.
Besides that, in the analysis of the environment viability, it was presented to Setena that this was a pasture area, when in reality it was a mountainous zone with secondary forests and with major important aquifers for the water supply of the population.
Mauricio Musso, one of the ones in charge of the residential “Costa Montaña”, assured yesterday, that despite having differences with the Environmental Tribunal whether or not built on protected zones, a mitigation plan was already presented, it expects adjournment of the interim measures next the Monday.
In the project “Hermosa Vista”, 15 minutes from Jacó, the authorities informed about “a destruction of worse proportions where literally a mountain was devastated to prepare the terraces on which would be built about 100 condominiums”.
There could be more. José Lino Chaves commented that the three closed residential projects were part of a total of the eight inspected. Of the five left, three remain under review and two were in order.
The Tribunal informed that they are just about closing “Costa Sol” where a wetland is hidden with Yolillo palms right on the maritime terrestrial zone, 150mt from the mangrove. Close to it, there was a clandestine waste dump.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comCosta Developers is again mentioned in the following article published today 29th March 2008 in La Nacion at [ http://www.nacion.com/br/2008/marzo/29/br1470796.html ] They feature a large photograph of a Costa Montaña plot of land which had suffered a landslide.
The article headline talks of how the ‘Closures brought to light definciencies in environmental control.’ With sub-headlines saying that ‘More than 300 works were shut down for not complying with environmental laws.’
They specifically mentioned the following four projects:
Hills of Esterillos
Costa Montaña (Costa Developers)
Hermosa Vista
Costa SolScott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comI drove by Hermosa Vista last week when I read about this and it looked to me like business as usual. Guys working, guards at he gates, and I didn’t see any type of yellow tape or signs indicating the closure. Do you think they are just ignoring the municipal? I looked at these lots a month or so ago, they were not for sale yet, so maybe future buyers haven’t lost out yet.
I was also curious about the Hills of Esterillos project. Yesterday I was at Esterillos Oeste and I saw a development I thought had the same name. They were also active and building away. Is this the same project, or just one with a similar name?
Sounds like they are just ignoring the stop work order. If I were buying here I would want to know what was really going on, because if they are not in compliance you will not get legal title to your property. Knowing how long it can take to get the SETENA approval I was surprised how fast some of these projects started building houses etc. Now I know, they built first and crossed there fingers the final permits would come in before they were caught. I wonder if any of the buyers in these projects have there titles yet?
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