Piles of dirt fill the fence enclosure on the dunes in Todos Santos. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
It should only take common sense to realize building on a sand dune is not a good idea. The environmental reasons are endless. However, for some people wanting the best view and their needs trump all else.
Such is the case right now in Todos Santos where the dunes have been disturbed. Apparently the owners don’t care that the Todos Santos Urban Plan and Subregional Development Program prohibits such development.
Reports are that representatives from the PROFEPA (federal attorney for Environmental Protection of Mexico) have visited the site and confirmed the property owner does not have permits. Still, the construction continues as they were given a few days to produce appropriate documents. People in the past have reportedly forged paperwork.
Apparently law breakers in Mexico like to do things around a major holiday knowing the authorities won’t be around to do anything. Santa Semana (Holy Week/Easter) begins April 14.
In Mexico it is illegal to arrest anyone on private property.
People are being asked to call or write local reps to put an end to this travesty:
- PROFEPA La Paz: 612.122.0787
For English speaking, stay on the line. - Semarnat Todos Santos: 612.122.6890
Spanish speaking. - Todos Santos Mayor Roberto Tito’s office: 612.145.0234
- Email in Spanish to javiar.chavez@profepa.gob.
This is the letter I wrote:
Mr. Chavez,
I am writing about the construction in the dunes in the area of Las Tunas in Todos Santos, specifically at the end of Calle Los Mangos.
Todos Santos has a master plan that prohibits such construction. Because the permits would never be allowed for any construction or disturbance of the land, I do not understand how this construction continues or how it was allowed to begin.
The government must take immediate measures to stop the project. The additional disturbance of the earth is harmful to the environment and can never be undone. If allowed to continue, this will establish a precedence that would be horrible for Todos Santos.
Thank you for your time.
Kathryn Reed, family member of a property owner in Todos Santos
Estoy escribiendo sobre la construcción en las dunas en el área de Las Tunas en Todos Santos, específicamente al final de la Calle Los Mangos.
Todos Santos tiene un plan maestro que prohíbe tal construcción. Debido a que los permisos nunca se permitirían para cualquier construcción o alteración del terreno, no entiendo cómo continúa esta construcción o cómo se permitió que comenzara.
El gobierno debe tomar medidas inmediatas para detener el proyecto. La perturbación adicional de la tierra es perjudicial para el medio ambiente y nunca se puede deshacer. Si se le permite continuar, esto establecerá una prioridad que sería horrible para Todos Santos.
Gracias por tu tiempo.
Kathryn Reed, miembro de la familia de un dueño de propiedad en Todos Santos
Glad you are taking action in your adopted home/country. It’s as important there as it is in the United States.
Could someone explain to me clearly why it is not possible to have a compromise on this issue? Is it not possible to build on the front row using great caution snd care and following all the well established protocol for building on or near a beach? All building anywhere disturbs the immediate environment. Responsible builders should be capable of building on the front row while maintaining the integrity of the Dune in front. My understanding is that a very thorough Impact Report shows that the Las Tunas Dunes are very stable and build near them with care with the proper building techiques should not weaken the dune at all. It seems to me that the effort of those who care about the ecosystems here should put their energy into helping to create strong building regulations that ensure any building on Dune will have little if any negative impact. This seems like a more reasonable approach to this problem/argument. I welcome any comments and/or education on this topic. Im new to this area and trying to understand the Dune issue. Thank you
Good luck. Someone is paying a big bribe so probably nothing will happen and the construction will continue. I HOPE I’m wrong -but…..
We have owned a dune lot since 1998 when NAFTA went through. Since that time (now more than 20 years), there have been numerous environmental studies and reports by government agencies – PROFEPA, Semarang – as well as privately funded scientific data which support the overwhelming conclusion that these dunes are archaic and composed almost entirely of granite based ‘sand’! They have not moved for hundreds of years through numerous hurricanes. The regulations imposed upon the owners thoroughly conform to the most rigorous environmental standards. These even surpass the standards which owners in the majority of lots behind the dunes fail to comply with.
We were here when the ejitos were planting peppers and tomatoes in most of the land behind the dunes and NONE of the housing existed, not even a road to the dunes! Yet now these newcomers who were lied to about ‘no building on the dunes’ by unscrupulous realtors, are basically taking our land away from us by their ‘environmental’ concerns and not allowing us to build according to approved guidelines which the city set in their master plan!
I understand why people in the back are angry! I would be too if I had been lied to and had certain expectations of what I would be looking at! I had expectations that I would not be dealing with dozens of houses behind the dunes blocking my beautiful view of the mountains and encroaching upon MY lot to the detriment of the native plants and birds which used to prosper here!
So I submit to you, who is most harmed? Those who came later and now want to prevent legitimate use of property which conforms to ALL the regulations which were in place at the time of purchase? Or those who wish to conform to those regulations but are prevented by powerful political interests who promote lies and shut down or at the very least prevent owners from selling their land at a fair price based upon the building regulations set by the master plan?
I think building will bring nothing but good things to the local economy. Great for overall real estate prices and will provide hundreds of spin off jobs. The faster, the better.
I agree with you Tim!
It is possible to build responsibly almost anywhere. I do think the regulations could be even stricter