Senate commission presses DNA for documents after evidence of filling and mangrove damage at Monte Papayo

The Senate Commission on Development of the South and Central Region held a hearing Feb. 7 on allegations of illegal filling, mangrove removal and other impacts at Monte Papayo in La Parguera, Lajas. The commission asked the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNA) to deliver a detailed inventory of referred complaints and related interagency communications by Feb. 14 and scheduled an executive meeting with other agencies to decide next steps.

Anahí Rodríguez Vega, secretary of the Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales, told the commission the Papayo wetland consists of mangrove forest, a coastal lagoon and historic salt flats and that decades of development and more recent fill have reduced wetland area and created public‑health concerns. "El humedal del papayo está ubicado en Lajas… Décadas de uso han afectado las condiciones de la laguna," she said while presenting aerial photos, GIS analysis and results of three drone flights conducted in June–July 2023.

Rodríguez Vega said DNA identified about 20 sites that may be affecting the lagoon and that the department has active investigations and interagency referrals. "Al momento se mantienen activa investigando unas veintisiete querellas del área, además de las querellas… aproximadamente unas dieciocho querellas para un total de aproximadamente cuarenta y cinco querellas en el proceso de investigación," she said, adding that cases proceed through field evaluation, technical review and then the legal division.

Senators pressed DNA over apparent recent activity at the sites — including concrete deliveries, covered truck plates and new trailers placed on piles — and questioned why some complaints from 2020–2021 remain in the legal queue. The commission chair said photographic evidence shows fences, a pool and substantial infill cutting into mangrove and lagoon footprints and argued enforcement has not been sufficiently rapid to stop ongoing damage.

Darien López, director and official of management for the southwest protected natural areas, described technical findings by DNA biologists, including cut mangrove trees and the removal of cactus species, and recommended returning three trailers and other fill to a natural wetland state. "La recomendación de nosotros es remover y devolver el área a su estado natural, que es un humedal," López said, citing a technical report and a biólogo's site visit.

DNA officials acknowledged capacity constraints: the department reported a small local detachment (four vigilantes in La Parguera) and the islandwide shortage of technical staff such as agrimensores (surveyors). DNA asked the legislature for additional funds to expand patrols and investigations and for resources to run an academy; Rodríguez Vega said a proposed academy to recruit about 150 vigilantes would have an estimated cost of roughly $10 million, and DNA reported current protective staff near 270 after recent departures and hires.

The commission asked DNA to produce, by Feb. 14, the full set of communications and referrals DNA made to other agencies (including the Planning Board, the Permits office, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), the complete inventory of the roughly 45 referred cases (including the 27 cases the commission had on its list), technical reports that explain the basis for each referral, and the status and reasons for closed cases or fines. The commission also agreed to convene an executive meeting with the Planning Board, the Department of Justice, the Permits office and essential service agencies (electric and water utilities) to coordinate immediate actions.

The hearing record shows some remediation already undertaken after DNA interventions — DNA staff said the pool and boardwalk in one case were removed — but the commission flagged continuing fill and new constructions as a risk to restoration work that seeks to reconnect the lagoon to the sea. The commission adjourned at 3:29 p.m., with members reserving the right to call further sessions if requested materials or interagency coordination fail to produce a clear action plan.