By The Star Staff
Given the limited information available on the project, the Puerto Rico Public-Private Partnerships Authority (P3A) has rejected executing a conventional public-private partnership to rehabilitate and run the Camuy River Cave Park.
The agency informed the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) this week that it was not recommending a public-private partnership arrangement to turn the Camuy River Caverns into a major tourism attraction. The caverns are part of an extensive network of limestone caves and underground waterways carved out by the Río Camuy, the third-largest underground river in the world. The caves were discovered in 1958.
The P3A arrived at its conclusions following a feasibility study.
“Although the findings of this study suggest that an alternative P3 model would improve the operation, maintenance, and overall performance of the Cave Park, the Authority concludes that given the limited information available and the size of this project, it should not be procured under a conventional P3 arrangement,” the agency said.
However, the P3A told the DNER to procure a five- to 10-year agreement with a private third party to maintain and operate the Cave Park. Such a procurement would not be done under the public-private partnership law.
“A private operator will bring efficiency in the operations and maintenance of the Cave Park, as well as offer insight and know-how as to the infrastructure enhancements needed,” the P3A said.
The P3A also published the studies on the proposed public-private partnership for the park. It provided a July 3 deadline for comments.