By The Star Staff
Seeking to improve the infrastructure for Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) rangers stationed on Mona Island, Sen. Keren Riquelme Cabrera, along with Karen Román, a Senate candidate for the Mayagüez District, on Monday proposed establishing a robust telecommunications network, as well as rehabilitating transportation, both air and sea, to the island.
“For us, the preservation of the islands of Mona and Monito is a priority in the socioeconomic development of the western region of Puerto Rico,” Riquelme said in a written statement. “In the previous four-year term (2017-2020), Rep. Maricarmen Mas worked on a project that established a robust telecommunications system in Mona, in response to a series of unfortunate incidents involving hunters. Our goal is to resume this initiative, taking into consideration the new technology available.”
The senator added that she will be working with the DNER Rangers Corps to develop an aggressive infrastructure rehabilitation program on Mona Island, focusing on the transportation systems, the landing strip and the pier.
“Part of our project is to assess the current telecommunications network and how we can improve this essential service, vital in times of emergency,” Riquelme said. “Every year, hundreds of tourists and hunters visit Mona, so we have a duty to ensure their safety with a robust infrastructure that allows for a rapid response.”
Román stressed that “it is important that detailed planning and strategic assessment studies be carried out before any potential development in the Reserve.”
“The protection and conservation of the ecological and cultural heritage of the island’s natural resources is a priority,” the candidate said. “That is why we need to improve communications and the bases used by our Rangers. That will be a priority.”
Mona Island, along with Monito Islet, belong to a natural reserve under the jurisdiction of the DNER, which has regulations that establish the protocols for all aspects related to the reserve, including visits to Mona and Monito.
DNER rangers are the only ones authorized to reside semi-permanently on Mona Island, while those who wish to visit the reserve must obtain prior permission for certain uses only, which include camping, hiking, fishing and hunting.
Hunting on Mona Island is limited to wild goats and pigs. In addition, the reserve has a laboratory for scientific research, which includes studies on archaeology, geology, oceanography, management of exotic species and conservation of endangered species such as the rock iguana, sea turtles and some endemic birds, among others.
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