Loíza mayor obtains permits to battle coastal erosion

A Parcelas Suárez community leader made an urgent appeal to the island government to take immediate and coordinated action after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved coastal erosion mitigation work in the Loíza neighborhood. (Israel Morales)

By THE STAR STAFF

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has approved coastal erosion mitigation work on 10th Street in the Parcelas Suárez community, Loíza Mayor Julia Nazario Fuentes announced Wednesday.

“Initially, we will focus on coastal erosion mitigation, followed by paving the street,” the mayor said. “This project is a crucial step in our efforts, and we are actively collaborating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction, and Resilience (COR-3) to develop a more sustainable solution for the future.”

“I am grateful to the Corps of Engineers for visiting our area to facilitate these permits,” Nazario Fuentes added. “If there are still skeptics about climate change and its impact on our coasts here in Loíza, nature will provide yet another stark example.”

In the Parcelas Suárez community, the sea is expected to continue eroding land, particularly affecting 3rd and 10th Streets, which face the brunt of the challenge.

The situation has been dire, with even a power pole showing signs of distress and several large trees already down. Additionally, a manhole and a wastewater pipe belonging to the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) have been compromised. The persistent erosion has been a concern since 2011, as the community anticipates the ongoing threat of the sea encroaching further.

“After Hurricane Maria, we lost this road and were forced to rebuild it, only to face the same ordeal after Hurricane Fiona,” Nazario Fuentes recalled.

She highlighted the lasting impacts of the storms from September 2017 and September 2022, and said the community looks forward to more resilient infrastructure to combat such challenges moving forward.

Faced with the alarming acceleration of coastal erosion that threatens the safety, property and lives of residents in Parcelas Suárez, community leader Alexis Correa Allende made an urgent appeal to the island government to take immediate and coordinated action.

“Parcelas Suárez is being devoured by the sea,” Correa Allende said. “Every day that passes without intervention is one day closer to collapse for our families and our homes. This situation can no longer be ignored.”

Over the past few years, the community has witnessed accelerated coastal retreat that has destroyed properties and compromised critical infrastructure, and has not seen any plan to prevent the displacement of residents. Storm surges, exacerbated by climate change, have surpassed historical levels, eroding the area without any permanent solutions being implemented.

Puerto Rico’s climate challenge

Puerto Rico is among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world, facing rising sea levels, stronger hurricanes, and accelerating coastal erosion. Since 1950, the island’s average temperature has increased by nearly 2°F, and surrounding waters have warmed by about 2°F since 1901. Sea level has risen roughly four inches since 1960 and is projected to rise between one and three feet by the end of the century, threatening beaches, wetlands and coastal infrastructure. About 62% of Puerto Rico’s population lives in coastal municipalities, making those communities especially exposed to flooding and storm surges.

Climate change amplifies hurricane intensity and rainfall, as seen with Hurricanes Maria (2017) and Fiona (2022), which devastated infrastructure and displaced thousands. Studies show that storms like Maria are now several times more likely because of warming oceans. The events have caused billions in damages and highlighted the fragility of Puerto Rico’s power grid, roads and water systems.

Coastal erosion is another urgent concern. Research indicates that sediment imbalance, sea level rise, and irresponsible coastal development have accelerated shoreline retreat, endangering homes, roads and critical utilities. Projections suggest that by 2100, sea levels could rise by up to two meters, putting nearly 100,000 residents at risk of flooding from storm surges.