DNER begins renovations at Rangers headquarters in Culebra

Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez and agency rangers Ilienis Acosta and Cindymar Villanueva, who are stationed in the offshore island municipality of Culebra.

By THE STAR STAFF

Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Waldemar Quiles Pérez announced Thursday the start of the process of rehabilitating the agency’s Rangers Corps (Cuerpo de Vigilantes) headquarters in the offshore island municipality of Culebra.

The work will focus on refurbishing the structure located in the San Ildefonso area, including clearing green areas, painting, replacing light fixtures, building a space for an emergency power generator, creating a storage area, upgrading bathrooms, installing new signage, and improving communication systems such as shortwave radios, among other tasks.

“Our rangers in Culebra do an outstanding job protecting natural resources, but to continue that work, we need to improve the headquarters’ facilities -- and that’s what we’re going to do quickly,” Quiles said. “The structure is ideal for the functions we carry out; it just needs refurbishment, which has already been scheduled and will begin soon. With these improvements, our rangers will have more tools to handle any emergency situation in the area.”

Culebra is home to the Luis Peña Nature Reserve.

“I want to highlight the work of rangers Ilienis Acosta and Cindymar Villanueva, among others, who are stationed in Culebra,” added Quiles, who visited the headquarters on Monday. “Rangers are law enforcement officers and play a very important role in defending the environment, especially given the geographical challenges of working in island municipalities. That’s why we will provide all the necessary equipment. We are even evaluating new vehicles, among other resources.”

As previously reported by the STAR, the DNER also began reconstruction work this week on the pier used by rangers in Culebra. With an investment of $926,359.44 in funds allocated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the new structure will support maritime operations for the rangers, including preventive patrols, enforcement actions, coastal interventions and assistance with reef rehabilitation efforts, among other activities.