ENVIRONMENT

Impact of Blue Marlin project raises questions

Development company invites residents of Antón to voice their concerns for a vasthotel-casino project

Local fisherman and environmentalists worry projectwill diminish the area´s rich biodiversity

LA PRENSA

THREATENED. A migrant turtle species and red mangrove forests are among the flora and fauna found at the proposed Blue Marlin hotel and casino site.1000844

The unrelenting building boom in the Antón region has come to a momentary halt over a proposed luxury resort complex slated for construction near a mangrove forest near Los Azules.

Corporación de Desarollo Ambiental, S.A. (Codesa), the company behind the 464-room Blue Marlin hotel and casino project, called for a public forum after several Antón residents expressed concerns for what is left of their natural surroundings.

Though a date for the forum has not yet been set, both Codesa and opponents of the project are preparing statements for the community of Antón and members of Antón´s Consejo Municipal.

John Gaudiano, an engineer with Codesa, is confident that the results of his year-long study of the project´s socio-economic and environmental impacts will be well-received by residents.

According to Gaudiano´s study, the Blue Marlin project could generate about 3,500 new jobs during the 10-year construction phase of the hotel, casino, residential complexes, equestrian and golf clubs, and commercial centers.

Where the environment is concerned, Gaudino stressed that the hotel complex will not be located close enough to the estuary to disturb its delicate ecosystem.

Fisherman from Loz Azules and Boca Nueva de Antón, however, worry that the fragile coastal zones they depend on for their livelihood will be wiped out by the venture, which could entail 950 thousand square meters.

Rosa Juárez, an environmentalist following the project, warned Codesa that much of the land in question includes sandbars and mangrove forests, crucial breeding areas for dozens of endangered sea creatures and plants.

Among the threatened species is a turtle species that returns each year to spawn on local beaches, as well a rare variety of red mangrove.

Codesa has responded to these concerns by presenting an environmental impact study to the Autoridad Nacional del Ambiente (Anam), which has promised to work closely with the community. Sources at both Anam and Codesa emphasize that they are committed being transparent about all aspects of the Blue Marlin development proposal.

Anam representative Pascual Castillo said that following the public forum, all concerned parties will have 20 days to submit any further comments and recommendations before beginning the official review process.