By The Star Staff
The former director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division in San Juan, Carl Soderberg, said Monday that the proposed Esencia development consisting of residences and commercial facilities on over 2,000 acres of land in Cabo Rojo is not viable because of a lack of sufficient water supplies.
Although the project developers do not rule out creating a private aqueduct and then connecting it to the public system, the expert stressed that the process goes beyond installing a pipe as there are few water resources.
The Esencia development has sparked debate in the community and raised questions about the balance between progress and preservation. Although the development could reap economic benefits, the magnitude and location of the project have raised concerns about its effects on an area known for its ecological diversity and limited natural resources.
For some communities, a project like Esencia could mean infrastructure improvements such as new roads, electricity, and basic services that would also benefit the surrounding community.
However, opponents say construction in protected areas endangers Cabo Rojo’s unique ecosystems. Species of birds, plants, and animals that depend on the area’s wetlands and lagoons would be displaced, upsetting an ecological balance that has sustained the region’s biodiversity for centuries, they point out.
Opponents of the plan argue that a development of such magnitude would put a great strain on basic services. As Soderberg mentioned, Cabo Rojo already faces challenges with waste management, water supply and road maintenance. An increase in population could overload those systems, adversely affecting residents and visitors alike.
Environmentalists also say the geology of the area, with land that is not ideal for large-scale construction, poses risks of erosion and landslides. The project would have to address and mitigate those challenges to avoid environmental disasters.
During recent hearings, it was revealed that there were 140 archaeological resources in the area, but more than 50% of the land has not been evaluated due to dense vegetation. The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture has not yet approved the archaeological report, leaving many questions about the validity of the current studies.
Power grid operator LUMA Energy has not given final approval for the project’s electrical supply. The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority has indicated that there is not enough capacity to supply the development.
Zoning changes are proposed that do not comply with the 2015 Land Use Plan, impacting protected rural land.
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