gringorio - 6-10-2004 at 05:17 AM
The Gulf of California Conference begins next Sunday, June 13th-16th, in Tucson(see http://www.gulfconference.org/)... I'll be there for a few of those days and would love to meet any other Nomads, or Jr. Nomads, that might be
able to attend. Afterwards I hope to post some notes and thoughts about the Conference at www.bajacaliforniaconservation.org.
See you there!
Gringorio 
wilderone - 6-10-2004 at 09:11 AM
If you have a chance, could you please bring up the LoretoBay and Pueblo Bonito developments and inquire if the sponsoring organizations are involved
in any way with such destructive projects (or if not, why not). FYI, here is a brief description of the Pueblo Bonito Pacifica project ("500 acres
of pristine beach" seems a bit invasive):
"Ernesto Coppel, Pueblo Bonito's owner, was president of Cabo's tourism council during the early boom days in the mid-1990s and worked diligently to
put in place civic ordinances that restrict growth and make sure that any new developments
adhere to strict guidelines that control height, design, etc. of new
buildings. Cabo now boasts a 10-plex movie theatre and a Costco (again, sorry). While most of the development has been along "the Corridor," between
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Pueblo Bonito Hotels and Resorts is
developing a "New Mexico" away from town to cater specifically to affluent
Americans (Pueblo Bonito has developed a similar property in a previously
undeveloped area north of Mazatlan now called Emerald Bay). The development,
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica, is on 500 acres of pristine beach on the Pacific
Ocean side of the tip of Baja. After spending $3 million to build an access
road and to provide water and power to the area, Sunset Beach opened in 2003
and has already become one of the most popular destinations in Cabo. And,
when Hotel Pacifica opens in November, Coppel will be the largest hotelier
in Cabo. Pueblo Bonito is now developing plots of land to sell to other 5-star
operators. In addition, they are building million-dollar homes, golf courses
and a shopping center. You can access general information on Pueblo Bonito
at www.pueblobonito.com. Coppel also just built a 38,000 sq. ft. house on a
rocky bluff in the middle of the Pacifica development. Pueblo Bonito was recently appraised at $900M with a debt load of around $100M and $150M in
annual sales. They have 5 properties in Cabo and Mazatlan with a sixth opening later this year."