- Re: Costa Bonita open yet?

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Re: Costa Bonita open yet?

Author: teresa (---.direcpc.com)
Date: 09-01-04 17:30

Normally I would never respond to such a discussion publicly but feel that I have to when a statement such as that above is made. I am the Refuge Manager for Culebra NWR and have tried my best to prevent damages to the "National Preserve" which is correctly called the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. We have been in discussion with developers of that off-refuge property and also other adjacent properties for many years. Construction projects are not alowed inside Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Docks are not permitted, nor is cutting of mangrove or filling of wetlands. We have written many many letters to many agencies that DO have the authority to regulate activities on private lands and also have coordinated site visits to bring representatives to numerous sites to try and prevent damages. We have written citations to various violators who have either deposited things directly inside the refuge or have dug directly inside the refuge, or cut vegetation within the refuge and they have paid fines and have mitigated in other ways. If something occurs off refuge then we have no authority. We do not have the authority to tell someone that they cannot do something if it does not occur inside Refuge boundaries. The land clearing that takes place on lands outside the Refuge boundary is on privately owned lands where we do not have jurisdicition. Erosion into Refuge wetlands or shoreline from land clearings occuring outside the Refuge boundary is not something that we can cite the responsible party for directly. We legally have to work through the pertinent agency with authority over that action. Believe me I have tried to prevent problems and have tried for many years to be a catalyst for action and have consulted with nuerous federal law enforcement agents on this. We are trying to take a positive approach right now and are bringing agency reps to Culebra for a forum this month to try to develop a mechanism whereby agencies can communicate with each other better and prevent problems rather than always be in a crisis reaction mode. Absolutely NOONE in my agency has been Paid Off to Look the Other Way. Please be careful when making such statements, they can be very damaging. These damages to the Refuge resources and nearshore environment have hurt noone more than me and I am not going to give up in trying to do something to turn things around. Sincerly, Teresa Tallevast, Refuge Manager

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