Governor says DNER is working on case of illegal Salinas properties

The Natural and Environmental Resources secretary said his agency is close to finalizing a draft eviction demand against people with unpermitted properties in a protected area at Jobos Bay in Salinas.

By The Star Staff

Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia denied Thursday that the government is dragging its feet with regard to the controversy in Salinas’ Jobos Bay involving people who have established properties on protected land there without permission.

“Well, that comes from many years ago and the important thing is that [Natural and Environmental Resources Secretary Rafael] Machargo is committed to taking action on the matter,” the governor said in response to questions from the press.

Regarding the way in which Machargo has handled the matter, the governor insisted that there is still time to address the controversy.

“It is never too late, and the important thing is that Machargo takes action on the matter,” Pierluisi said. “If you have to restore something … and if you have to remove granted permits, canceling them or whatever, all available legal measures will be taken to address them.”

In a radio interview on NotiUno, Machargo gave assurances that “promptly” the DNER will finish with the draft of the eviction demand on the people who have properties without permits in the protected zone.