Tulum, Q.R. — The Federal Attorney for the Environment has been asked to act accordingly to stop logging after the announcement of the first of nine side roads being built to access the Coastal area of Tulum.
The agency has been approached by concerned citizens who say the logging and filling of mangroves to create the 4.2 kilometer-long roads is not being done in compliance with environmental regulations. They accuse the municipality of violating the Federal Penal Code, the General Wildlife Law and NOM059.
The appeal came after mayor Víctor Mas Tah announced the completion of the first 4.2-kilometer road that now connects Kukulkán Avenue with the coastal area. During his inauguration tour, Mas Tah said eight more are to be constructed, which, when complete, will ease traffic congestion and allow better access for emergency vehicles.
However, Aracelí Domínguez, on behalf of environmental groups say that the municipality of Tulum is not exempt from compliance with environmental laws which require manifestations of environmental impact, changes in land use and the application of NOM022, which determines the protection and conservation of mangrove wetlands.
“Environmentalists, academics and citizens of the state of Quintana Roo have already submitted several complaints to PROFEPA because none of these roads have Environmental Impact Manifestations, nor have they been built in terms of NOM022 to not impede the natural flow of the wetlands, in the event that the Manifestations of environmental impact and changes in land use was authorized,” she explained.
