[taoaqui]

Diego:
Where in the southern zone was that huge deal?
tao

[taoaqui]

Hola
This is a very interesting question , and I tried to avoid it. I have strong feelings about it, and probably not in accord with the most popular ideas. I am nNOT in favor of the new airport, if and when it does ever appear. I believe that strong financial forces from the Dominical and Southern Pacific coasts, and Golfito have more interest in this project happening than ANYONE I know in Osa. I will not say that it will be bad for Osa, and I would certainly not say it would be good, either. I think alot of people are trying to bank on it, and are selling projects based on the “upcoming International airport” and while I would not say it will never happen, but I do not see a need for it, and I do not believe that it will happen anytime soon.
I am not impressed with the growth of Liberia and that area since the inception of the International aiprort there, and I do not hope to see huge charter planes emptying themselves upon the Osa. I think it will change the focus of development and I do not look forward to those changes as they will affect us here in Osa. I am not eager to see or hear our skies filled with planes taking off and landing, as I am not eager to see boats filling up the Golfo Dulce. What can I say? I do not support it. I do not support rampant growth in an area where I believe we should be conserving and protecting. I do not support huge hotel and marina projects, or significantly increased traffic in an area that I do not believe can support it without harming nature or the social structure of the community.

I would be concerned about issues such as noise pollution, about exhaust fumes, about fuel consumption and transportation and storage of petroluem products, and about the social impact.
I am also concerned, as others have already pointed out, about soil erosion from the rampant development of the coastal range, (and furthermore inside the peninsula, when and if this kind of development comes this way).

I have been studying impact studies lately in Spanish, which is no great joy or pleasure, but alarming to see what is discreetly or blatantly left out, avoided, or fabricated, downplaying the kinds of affects that huge projects such as these, airports, marinas, even road constructions, have on the environment and the people. There are step by step processes that are in play, but not beyond fighting, and I do not believe that the airport is a “done deal”. And if I thought that it were, I would probably be mouthing off more about it, as I have been about the possibility of marina projects and large hotel/housing complexes.
peace,
tao

[taoaqui]

correction: the link is http://www.cedarena.org
tao

[taoaqui]

I apologize for the abbreviated reply, but I lost the long detailed response that I wrote, so have decided to write offline and post later as a post or as an article. I appreciate your feedback, and agree that there are issues that demand more than environmental platitudes…real solutions…and I do have some! By the way…it is not “the best way to save the rainforest is to buy it…although that is the first step…it is ‘to own it'” Because only through private entitlement (whether through a corporation or proper name)can certain steps be taken to preserve and protect land. Government programs are at the mercy of goverment agencies, and are short term solutions. Long term solutions must be initiated by individuals or groups in private ownership.
tao

[taoaqui]

Oops…try this again (third try) One of the ways I recommend to my clients is to set aside ANY forested area on their property in an environmental easment set up by Cederena.org (see their website for detailed explanation). Even if you are not an Angel Investor, you can protect rainforest whether it is in a reserve or refuge or other government program, “unto perpetuity”, which means, that regardless of how many times it changes hands, that area will be protected for generations to come.
I agree with Diego as well, that it would be a good idea to set up investment pools to buy large properties and put restrictions (such as the Environmental Easements) on them. I am in the process of putting some proposals together for REITs and RPIs to firms who look for “green” investments for their more conscious investors.
That’s all for now…but I will be working on some articles that address these issues and others…
peace,
tao

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