maritime terrestrial zone

Environmental and civic organizations say they are overwhelmed by the many legislative measures that would upend the permitting system, affect the environment and limit their participation in the review and legal challenges of development projects.

The noncompliance of existing plans, court orders and laws in southwestern coastal areas in Buyé, Joyuda, and La Parguera, shows how complex the implementation of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan would be.

The case of several properties on the Arecibo coast is an example of what is happening in other areas of Puerto Rico, but neither the Municipality nor the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA, in Spanish) act, while construction is allowed in the area affected by erosion.

The experience of communities in Isabela and Vega Baja shows that the government of Puerto Rico acts against the recommendations of experts and its own public policy, which is supposed to protect coastal natural resources.