No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveLegislative Commission Approves Water Bill

Legislative Commission Approves Water Bill

AFTER more than three years of discussionand review, the LegislativeAssembly’s Environmental Commissionapproved the Water Resource Bill April15.The legislation is, “without a doubt,the most important environmental endeavorto be discussed in the country in recentyears,” according to Citizen Action Party(PAC) legislator Gerardo Vargas, a memberof the commission.The Water Resource Bill stresses thatwater is a public asset and establishes anintegrated institutional framework thataims to protect and preserve it.“Costa Rica operates under the 1942Water Law and it is becoming obsolete.This project aims to put an end to theinstitutional disorder that reigns in watermanagement, where some work is duplicatedwhile some just doesn’t get done,”said José María Villalta, Vargas’ advisor.In 2001, the government, theOmbudsman’s Office and then-legislatorJosé Merino, of the Fuerza Democráticaparty, produced three separate water projects,which were later modified and combinedinto the current Water ResourceBill, Villalta explained.If approved, the legislation wouldchange the current method of allocating asmall portion of water fees for conservationand a considerable one for administrativepurposes, so that more funds go towater conservation.Also, the bill would allow indigenouscommunities to receive payment for environmentalservices, in recognition of theirhistorical dedication to forest preservation.Villalta said the Water Resource Bill isexpected to be reviewed by legislators inthe coming weeks, although it may bemonths before it is approved.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Faces Calls to Strengthen Shark Protection Enforcement

Costa Rica faces growing pressure from environmental experts and lawyers to tighten enforcement of laws protecting endangered sharks. Recent court rulings have highlighted gaps...

Costa Rica Pesticide Use Harms Soil Life, UNA Study Finds

Costa Rica is one of the countries that uses the most agrochemicals, which has a series of negative repercussions in various areas. A recent...

El Salvador Rolls Out Bitcoin Bonds Amid Crypto Surge

El Salvador has pushed forward with its bold experiment in cryptocurrency, launching Bitcoin-backed bonds that tie the nation's finances directly to the volatile world...

Nicaragua Alleges Costa Rican Police Tried to Detain Player

Tensions ran high at the National Stadium here in Costa Rica last night when police officers entered the Nicaraguan team's locker room moments before...

Costa Rica Women’s National Team Coach Steps Down Amid World Cup Push

The Costa Rican Soccer Federation dropped a major update this week: Spanish coach Beni Rubido is stepping down from his role with the women's...

Costa Rica’s Draw Against Honduras Boosts World Cup Hopes

Costa Rica held Honduras to a scoreless draw in their World Cup qualifier last night, picking up a point that keeps their qualification hopes...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica