DNER orders demarcation of maritime-terrestrial zone at Rincón condo
By John McPhaul
jpmcphaul@gmail.com
Interim Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) Secretary Anaís Rodríguez Vega on Wednesday ordered the start of the demarcation process to delimit the interior limit of the maritime-terrestrial zone of public domain adjoining the controversial Condominium Sol y Playa in Rincón.
“After rigorously and responsibly evaluating the case file and analyzing the recommendations of our Legal Division, I have ordered that the ex officio demarcation process begin immediately to delimit the interior limit of the maritime-terrestrial public domain assets that adjoin the Sol y Playa Condominium,” the official said in a written statement.
Rodríguez Vega noted that what happened in the vicinity of the Sol y Playa Condominium generally involved several issues, two of which were within the jurisdiction of the DNER: the protection of wildlife and the contestation of the demarcation, and both cases were to be resolved administratively.
She clarified that “the granting and supervision of construction permits are the jurisdiction of the Permits Management Office and the Planning Board, respectively.”
“We have communicated with the Planning Board, which confirmed that, at the moment, there is a Request for Reconsideration before the Supreme Court by the Council of Owners of the Sol y Playa Condominium related to the judgment issued in case AG2020CV00945, which orders the demolition of buildings built in the area,” Rodríguez Vega said. “Even though our interest is that this case ends and the wall be demolished because it is in the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone, until the Puerto Rico Supreme Court rules on the Request for Reconsideration, the judgment does not become final and firm. However, we remember that any demolition must have the permits of the agencies concerned; otherwise, in addition to being illegal, it would put the habitat of the turtles that nest in the area at risk.”