NewsWhore
06-01-2007, 04:00 PM
The Ministry of Tourism has authorized the construction of a hotel on a small strip of land in the National Park of the East, reports Diario Libre. The newspaper writes that the permission to build the hotel was granted in a resolution passed on 10 January 2006, in which Tourism Minister Felix Jimenez authorized the construction of 40 rooms per hectare within lot 6-04-10866 that falls inside the National Park of the East. The authorization was given to Pablo Pineiro Ibernon and Gustavo Montenegro of Inversiones Coconut S.A. for the construction of the Bahia Principe Bayahibe resort. Jimenez explains that the strip of land had been released for development. The Higher Land Court has ordered an investigation and in 90 days a full report on the exact location and details of the project will be made available. Also requested was a report from the Ministry of Environment confirming whether the lot falls within the protected area.
Lawyer Fermin Casilla Minaya, state attorney to the Higher Land Court is disputing the release of the land for development.
Diario Libre also reports that on 9 December, Jimenez signed an agreement for an "offer for the preparation of a land use plan for the National Park of the East for EUR265,000, to be carried out for a period of 12 months with French company, Argos SA that is represented by its president, Francois Jean Simon Fontes. This is the same company that proposed the controversial construction of hotels in the Bahia de las Aguilas protected area in the southwestern province of Pedernales.
Jose Manuel Mateo of the Ministry of Environment told Diario Libre that it has not authorized any construction in the National Park of the East.
Diario Libre also mentions that the minister has issued other questionable resolutions, mentioning 154-05 issued on 2 November 2005 that changes the room density to favor the Stanza Mare and Pueblo Bavaro tourism projects in the east coast (Punta Cana) area where he is a shareholder. Diario Libre recalls reports in October 2006 that said that the minister also has shares in the Vista Mare aparthotel in Las Galeras, Samana, which was granted authorization to build within the 60 meters beach limit.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)
Lawyer Fermin Casilla Minaya, state attorney to the Higher Land Court is disputing the release of the land for development.
Diario Libre also reports that on 9 December, Jimenez signed an agreement for an "offer for the preparation of a land use plan for the National Park of the East for EUR265,000, to be carried out for a period of 12 months with French company, Argos SA that is represented by its president, Francois Jean Simon Fontes. This is the same company that proposed the controversial construction of hotels in the Bahia de las Aguilas protected area in the southwestern province of Pedernales.
Jose Manuel Mateo of the Ministry of Environment told Diario Libre that it has not authorized any construction in the National Park of the East.
Diario Libre also mentions that the minister has issued other questionable resolutions, mentioning 154-05 issued on 2 November 2005 that changes the room density to favor the Stanza Mare and Pueblo Bavaro tourism projects in the east coast (Punta Cana) area where he is a shareholder. Diario Libre recalls reports in October 2006 that said that the minister also has shares in the Vista Mare aparthotel in Las Galeras, Samana, which was granted authorization to build within the 60 meters beach limit.
More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#11)