Environment Tribunal Orders Marina Closure

LAST week, the Environmental Tribunal ordered the Municipality of Santa Cruz to shut down the Flamingo Marina, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, for the second time in six months.

In its resolution, the administrative tribunal criticized Mayor Pastor Gómez for allowing the marina to remain open, and stated that under no circumstances will boats be permitted at the site. The tribunal requested the cessation of all activities in the marina.

The tribunal, part of the Environment and Energy Ministry (MINAE), began investigating the marina last year after reports of alleged water pollution at the site. When the municipality failed to present an environmental plan to deal with the problem, the tribunal called for the marina’s closure in October 2003.

Despite that ruling, the marina continued to operate (TT, Dec. 12, 2003). Alexandra Gutiérrez, administrative director for the Municipality of Santa Cruz, told La Nación last week that all activities at the marina have been suspended pending an environmental impact study.