I just became aware that there are private inholdings within San Pedro Martir National Park in Northern Baja. The inholdings, apparantly, were
previously owned by Mexican cattle ranching families and were recently purchased by an American company calling itself, "ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN ECOLOGICAL
RESORT AND RETREAT" Here is the web adress for anybody interested: http://realestate.escapeartist.com/P-2001750/
or just google the company's name.
The website illustrates the company's plans for developing their inholdings in the Sierra de San Pedro Martir, which includes the meadows of La
Grulla, La Encantada and Santa Rosa. The developments include a "world class" golf course, 500 acre snowpark, wireless internet facilities and a
landing strip for aircraft access, in addition to the development of multiple "yurts" for housing residents and electric "eco-friendly" vehicles for
transportation.
I spoke with the company's representative on the telephone, who told me that the National park's 500 visitors per year average should be increased and
that the company desires to "bring more people" to these the mountains and also wants to change the National Park's attitude toward not supressing
wildfires. Supposedly the whole project is still in the blue-print stage.
I find this information to be frightening. This is the LAST pristine mountain area and conifer forest left in the Pacific Coast region. There is
already much information available illustaring how threatend this enviornment is due to draught, changing climate and human impact. Such real estate
developments would be certain to greatly increase the threats and lead to the potential for major catastrophes. I can't help but recall the 260,000
acre wildfire that consumed the near entirety of the Santa Barbara mountains in 2007, started by sparks from construction. This is just one example
of how such "development" could seroisly impact this national park. Aside from these concerns, this is, again, the last of the California mountains
to be untainted by the technologies of mankind and a last refuge for those seeking the true untouched beauty and solitude of the great soutehrn
california conifer wilderness.
I'd appreciate any feedback from my fellow Baja lovers. Thanks.
[Edited on 4-6-2009 by Geothermal-Shane]
[Edited on 4-6-2009 by Geothermal-Shane]abreojos - 4-6-2009 at 08:19 AM
Call it paradise and kiss it goodbye. At least for our little speck in time. With the current economy and news coverage in the media about Mexico, I
doubt there will be many takers. So enjoy it while you can....there are bigger problems brewing.David K - 4-6-2009 at 09:02 AM
Shane, this project is not 'new'... we read about it a while ago (2006) here on Nomad. Like other 'big' real estate projects in Mexico (Trump Towers,
etc.) it will not succeed with the current economy and narco-terrorism situation on the border... IMO
[Edited on 4-6-2009 by David K]Packoderm - 4-6-2009 at 09:07 AM
Perhaps BajaNomad needs a new forum called "Baja's vanishing frontier." This news about proposed heavy development, at 2,200 lots for sale, in San
Martir would fit perfectly under this category. The site says the one acre lots are located outside of the restricted zone. Who knows? Maybe this one
might happen.mtgoat666 - 4-6-2009 at 11:17 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Geothermal-Shane
"ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN ECOLOGICAL RESORT AND RETREAT" Here is the web adress for anybody interested: http://realestate.escapeartist.com/P-2001750/
Google the individual developer's contact name from the website you posted, and you'll find that his name is associated with several apparently
half-baked businesses ventures,.... so I'm guessing that the SPM development is a half-baked plan that exists on paper only... the website certainly
does not indicate the developer has a master plan or even a schematic map of the development...
Suggest you ask the developer if he has applied for or received enviro permit or other entitlement permits, see what the response might be....BajaDove - 4-6-2009 at 11:38 AM
Sounds like the start of Yet another of the 'Modern ruins of Baja"wilderone - 4-6-2009 at 12:01 PM
"Suggest you ask the developer if he has applied for or received enviro permit or other entitlement permits, see what the response might be"
Yes, please do, and let us know. Ask him where the water for the golf course will come from. Will there be septic tanks and toilets for these yurts?
Then please tell him for me to go back to Oregon.surfer jim - 4-6-2009 at 04:01 PM
Are these the same people who wanted to develop the ESCALERA before the government took over....Cypress - 4-6-2009 at 04:09 PM
Loreto Bay North?bajamigo - 4-6-2009 at 04:37 PM
40 grand for a yurt? Buena suerte.burnrope - 4-6-2009 at 07:18 PM
Maybe the Narcos will subsidize the airstrip.Geothermal-Shane - 4-9-2009 at 06:24 PM
It does sound like a ludicrous pipe dream.
I definately question the authenticity of this outfit.
I wonder if the Parque Nacional or Mexican organizations like the Instituto Nacional de Ecologia, Comision Nacional de Area Naturales Protegidas and
the Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada are aware of this ownership claim and alleged plans fo potential
construction?
