| DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C. ecological activism COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONS 2007 |
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| CATEMACO MUNICIPAL DUMP ¡KEEPIN' ON! 18 de febrero, 2007 |
| SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT - CATEMACO THE MAÑANA SYNDROME - IN PRACTICE abril 16, 2007 |
| Ahuatepec |
| San Juan Seco de Valencia |
| And the immediate reaction of our Municipal President, Sergio Antonio Cadena Martínez? The rapid solution of the problem? (Ver Complaints & Investigations 2006) It is obvious that the conditions in the Catemaco Municipal Dump continue as of last year, and it is more obvious that the Municipal President Sergio Cadena has no interest in resolving the problem. The burning of the dump is not an occasional problem; it is a daily occurrence. Some solutions for consideration are: a sanitary landfill, a recycling plant and public education related to recycling, and maintaining vigilance 24 hours a day to prevent and extinguish fires. But Sergio is not interested in seeking solutions. We repeat, Articles 110, 112, and 113 of the “Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente” strictly prohibit the burning of garbage dumps. More than ever, in view of the global warming crisis, it is necessary that we address this matter - now, not mañana. The only choice we have is make public denouncements through the news media and file official complaints with the proper government offices. |
| Responding to Public Complaints of Tree Cutting 15 de abril, 2007 |
We visited the community of Ahuatepec to investigate the felling of trees on the property of Francisco Márquez. These actions occurred with the urban zone and are outside the jurisdiction of PROFEPA, but under the jurisdiction of Proteccion Civil del Muncipio (Municipal Civil Protection Agency). A corresponding complaint will be filed with the municipal offices. In the community of San Juan Seco de Valencia trees have been felled on the property of Bartolo Abraham Leal. This area is in a forest area, within the jurisdiction of PROFEPA who will attend to the complaint. |
Today, the situation remains the same!
Today, thoroughly disgusted, we interviewed the Biologist Carlos. He informed
us of a project, appropriating $ 300,000 pesos for the repair of the pipeline
connecting the Catemaco sewage system with the treatment plant, and
intended to solve some of the problems (?) affecting the plant, causing
pollution of the river and Lake Catemaco, plus the contamination of fish.
According to Carlos, the project will be initiated as soon as possible, with a
termination date of September, 2007, but there will remain additional
problems with the plant.
These problems have existed for years. It is now time for the Municipal
President, Sergio Antonio Cadena Martinez, and the Governor of Veracruz,
Fidel Herrera Beltran to insist that remedies be found once and for all.
Today, thoroughly disgusted, we interviewed the Biologist Carlos. He informed
us of a project, appropriating $ 300,000 pesos for the repair of the pipeline
connecting the Catemaco sewage system with the treatment plant, and
intended to solve some of the problems (?) affecting the plant, causing
pollution of the river and Lake Catemaco, plus the contamination of fish.
According to Carlos, the project will be initiated as soon as possible, with a
termination date of September, 2007, but there will remain additional
problems with the plant.
These problems have existed for years. It is now time for the Municipal
President, Sergio Antonio Cadena Martinez, and the Governor of Veracruz,
Fidel Herrera Beltran to insist that remedies be found once and for all.
On May 24, 2006, DEMATAC published a complaint regarding the contamination of the Rio Grande de Catemaco due ti the fact that
the Catemaco sewage treatment plant is not operating. On Octdber 26, 2006, the Biologist Carlos Manuel Rodríquez Mouriño,
Director of the Comision Municipal de Aqua Potable y Saneamiento de Catemaco, dijo, “ . . . we hope that before the end of the year
(2006), the plant will be operating 100%”. (See article from Diario Los Tuxtlas - Spanish)
the Catemaco sewage treatment plant is not operating. On Octdber 26, 2006, the Biologist Carlos Manuel Rodríquez Mouriño,
Director of the Comision Municipal de Aqua Potable y Saneamiento de Catemaco, dijo, “ . . . we hope that before the end of the year
(2006), the plant will be operating 100%”. (See article from Diario Los Tuxtlas - Spanish)
After years of promises and excuses from local government while waiting for the Catemaco Water Treatment Plant to
begin operation, we are now advised by Biologist Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Director of CMAS, Catemaco (Municipal
Commission of Water and Sanitation of Catemaco), that the plant is now operating, but . . . can only process 60 to 80% of the
residual water, and that the only solution is the construction of a new plant. (See email (Spanish) to DEMATAC from the
biologist dated June 6, 2007)
Apparently, the engineers who designed the existing plant, and the politicians who approved the design planned for –
yesterday. The future was, of course, in the future, so they did not concern themselves about that. The future has arrived!
Now!
The fact is that the deficiency of this plant causes contamination of the Rió Grande de Catemaco, and the fish therein. The
antiquated, non functional drainage and sewage system of Catemaco pollutes Lake Catemaco, and contaminates the fish
therein, plus creating the problem of raw sewage, with its accompanying stench, that frequently floods various streets, such
as Calles Revolucion and Xicotencatl. These problems will be amplified by the anticipated 20% growth in population over the
next five years.
It is imperative that the municipal president of Catemaco, Sergio Cadena Martínez, and the Governor of Veracruz, Fidel
Herrera Beltran, find immediate and effective solutions to these problems. We, as residents of Catemaco, must insist that
they do so.
DEMATAC will be sending copies of this article to the governor, to the municipal president, and to members of the media.
begin operation, we are now advised by Biologist Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Director of CMAS, Catemaco (Municipal
Commission of Water and Sanitation of Catemaco), that the plant is now operating, but . . . can only process 60 to 80% of the
residual water, and that the only solution is the construction of a new plant. (See email (Spanish) to DEMATAC from the
biologist dated June 6, 2007)
Apparently, the engineers who designed the existing plant, and the politicians who approved the design planned for –
yesterday. The future was, of course, in the future, so they did not concern themselves about that. The future has arrived!
Now!
The fact is that the deficiency of this plant causes contamination of the Rió Grande de Catemaco, and the fish therein. The
antiquated, non functional drainage and sewage system of Catemaco pollutes Lake Catemaco, and contaminates the fish
therein, plus creating the problem of raw sewage, with its accompanying stench, that frequently floods various streets, such
as Calles Revolucion and Xicotencatl. These problems will be amplified by the anticipated 20% growth in population over the
next five years.
It is imperative that the municipal president of Catemaco, Sergio Cadena Martínez, and the Governor of Veracruz, Fidel
Herrera Beltran, find immediate and effective solutions to these problems. We, as residents of Catemaco, must insist that
they do so.
DEMATAC will be sending copies of this article to the governor, to the municipal president, and to members of the media.
| What Now? June 21, 2007 |
Defensores del Medio Ambiente de Los Tuxtlas A. C. has received a
(oxybelis fulgidus) or Green Vine Snake, held in captivity in the
administration office of the Hotel Playa Azul, Km. 2 Carretera Chávez
and the administrator is Leticia Castañeda Alvarez.
The complaint has been referred to inspectors from PROFEPA: Ing. Juan
Raúl Luna Garcia, Biol. María dolores Castillo Gallegos and Biol.
Daniel Hernández Berlín in Catemaco. DEMATAC is awaiting the
results.
(oxybelis fulgidus) or Green Vine Snake, held in captivity in the
administration office of the Hotel Playa Azul, Km. 2 Carretera Chávez
and the administrator is Leticia Castañeda Alvarez.
The complaint has been referred to inspectors from PROFEPA: Ing. Juan
Raúl Luna Garcia, Biol. María dolores Castillo Gallegos and Biol.
Daniel Hernández Berlín in Catemaco. DEMATAC is awaiting the
results.
| Green Vine Snake or “bejuco verde” (oxybelis fulgidus) December 15, 2007 |
Defensores del Medio Ambiente de Los Tuxtlas A. C. filed an official complaint with PROFEPA
in Catemaco with respect to illegal logging in the marshes of the Yuhualtajapan River, in the
Ejidos Los Morritos, near the community of Coxcoapan, against José Luís Uscanga Ramón. To date
we have not been informed regarding action taken on this complaint. Therefore we are soliciting in
writing that PROFEPA advise us of what is happening with the complaint. We hope to have a reply
within several days. If we do not receive a staisfactory reply we will file a new complaint with copies to
all related government offices and pubilize the complaint through the news media.
in Catemaco with respect to illegal logging in the marshes of the Yuhualtajapan River, in the
Ejidos Los Morritos, near the community of Coxcoapan, against José Luís Uscanga Ramón. To date
we have not been informed regarding action taken on this complaint. Therefore we are soliciting in
writing that PROFEPA advise us of what is happening with the complaint. We hope to have a reply
within several days. If we do not receive a staisfactory reply we will file a new complaint with copies to
all related government offices and pubilize the complaint through the news media.
| Illegal Logging in the Ejido Los Morritos December 15, 2007 |
We have received a citizens complaint from Señora Patricia Contreras
Tuxtla, regarding sewage from a water treatment plant that is
contaminating pastures where her cattle feed and the Tibernal River
which passes through her property.
DEMATAC visited the property and indeed it is easy to see that the
treatment plant does not have the capacity suficient for the entire
community of Tibernal, is not functioning in an adecuate manner, and
does not have the necessary material for water treatment.
We visited the Tibernal River and discovered that there is a second
treatment plant that also is not operating properly, and is located only 20
meters from the river. This plant has a greater capacity for the
community, but also does not have the infrastructure and materials
necessary for processing the water. Furthermore, this plant is
contaminating the river which provides drinking water for many
animals, both wild and domestic.
In January we will file formal complaints with various government offices
that have the responsibilty to look for solutions to this problem: CNA,
CMAS, SEMARNAT, and the municipal government of Santiago Tuxtla.
Tuxtla, regarding sewage from a water treatment plant that is
contaminating pastures where her cattle feed and the Tibernal River
which passes through her property.
DEMATAC visited the property and indeed it is easy to see that the
treatment plant does not have the capacity suficient for the entire
community of Tibernal, is not functioning in an adecuate manner, and
does not have the necessary material for water treatment.
We visited the Tibernal River and discovered that there is a second
treatment plant that also is not operating properly, and is located only 20
meters from the river. This plant has a greater capacity for the
community, but also does not have the infrastructure and materials
necessary for processing the water. Furthermore, this plant is
contaminating the river which provides drinking water for many
animals, both wild and domestic.
In January we will file formal complaints with various government offices
that have the responsibilty to look for solutions to this problem: CNA,
CMAS, SEMARNAT, and the municipal government of Santiago Tuxtla.
| Sewage Contaminating Tibernal River Santiago Tuxtla December 12, 2007 |
