BajaNomad - New Mega-Development Proposed Near Cabo Pulmo

New Mega-Development Proposed Near Cabo Pulmo

mtgoat666 - 3-26-2014 at 02:07 PM

:fire:

THREAT OF DESTRUCTION AGAIN! :fire:

http://www.wildcoast.net/media-center/news/1050

A brand new mega-development proposal adjacent to Mexico’s Cabo Pulmo National Park has been registered with the Enviromental Secretary (SEMARNAT) asking for permits to build.

:fire:

This is the third time in recent years that a major real-estate development that would threaten the reserve’s crucial coral reef system and vibrant sea life is proposed on this exact site.

:fire:

The new proposed development is called “Cabo Dorado,” and is planned on 3,770 hectares neighboring Cabo Pulmo. They plan to build nine hotels, and 14,043 condos, two professional golf courses and one for practice.

:fire:

jbcoug - 3-26-2014 at 03:28 PM

Boo, just say NO!!!!!

Bajahowodd - 3-26-2014 at 04:59 PM

I guess the idea is if you fail, just keep trying.

The problem with resort development in Mexico is that graft works. I remember the days when La Playita was just a sleepy village down a dirt road from San Jose. Pangas lined up on the beach. Now, the whole area is Puerto Los Cabos.

Althought I also hope this effort will fail, I'm not optimistic.

Geez. The first time I was ever at what is now known as Riviera Maya (Playa Del Carmen), I arrived by ferry from Cozumel. There were three rickety buildings there. Now, it's not much different from Cancun.

dtbushpilot - 3-26-2014 at 05:01 PM

Not likely to happen any time soon...

Cancamo - 3-27-2014 at 09:15 AM

Not good news considering that it's Chinese money this time.

What hasn't changed is the fact that there is no water, (desal still not cost-effective), and the north wind blows the months that most resort types would potentially want to be there, (December through March).

With Cabo Rivera on the ropes just up the road in La Ribera, I would hope this latest mega resort idea would never get off the ground. It breaks my heart what has happened to San Lucas in a relatively short 25/30 years. Enough is enough, BASTA!

willardguy - 3-27-2014 at 09:26 AM

9 hotels, 14,000 condo's, no water? is it possible there is water there, just not tapped? good wells are springing up around gonzaga, its just that nobody had looked before.

monoloco - 3-27-2014 at 09:37 AM

Desalinization as a source of water for large scale developments in Baja Sur is a "pie in the sky" scheme. Large desal plants use enormous amounts of electricity that's simply not available here.

How much energy is required to retrieve the salt from the seawater?

In theory, calculation shows that 1 kWh is enough to produce one ton of fresh water from seawater. However this assumes a perfect thermodynamic and mechanical system which is not possible to build. In practical terms a desalination system will require 7 to 18 kWh/m3 depending on the corresponding investment.

Desalination systems vapour consumption is usually measured by giving how many kilos of fresh water are produced from one single kilo of steam entering the system. This number, the so-called Gain Output Ratio (GOR), will vary from 6 to 7 for classical plants up to 16 and more for plants equipped with the latest technology.

This figure however does not show properly how steam quality will impact on plant design: the higher the steam supply pressure the more velocity it will provide by expansion, the more suction it will generate and the bigger recovery it will enable thus enhancing overall efficiency. This is why the higher the steam pressure the lower the investment cost for a given GOR. A GOR 8 unit fed with 3 bar steam will cost some 20% more than the same GOR with 20 bar steam.

In addition to steam consumption one has to consider electrical power for pumps. The MSF process requires a large flow of seawater or brine to be circulated in condensers. This results in a specific electrical consumption of 3 to 4 kWh/m3 for MSF plants. This is to be compared to specific consumption of MED plants where no such circulation is required: 1,5 kWh/m3. This is the particular point for which MED now supersedes MSF. By going for MED an Independent Power and Water Company will save some 3 kWh per cubic meter produced: this additional power will be delivered to the network and will generate additional income. This will result in reduced cost of power and water produced by the plant when compared to MSF.

DavidE - 3-27-2014 at 04:15 PM

Mega Project # 301,992,006,568,192,211

Has it made it to the full color brochure stage yet?
Nine hundred thousand to one it doesn't get to the annoying spam stage.

I forgot where Nautical Stairway fit, somewhere in the middle.

Oriental funding looked at developing San Blas, Nayarit, several decades ago. They set out insect traps with the intent of collecting them weeks later. A few hours passed and they were overflowing. Bet it was a long ride home across the wide Pacific.

Bajahowodd - 3-28-2014 at 04:53 PM

For over 20 years, the hotel/ resort developments in and around Los Cabos have installed de-sal plants. So, providing water to this project would appear only dependent on electricity.

windgrrl - 3-28-2014 at 06:04 PM

Link to Hansard Urbana's Cabo Cortez Project in BCS:
http://www.nrdc.org/international/files/Baja%20Investor%20Br...

This report is an interesting read from the conservation perspective that includes arguments against development, desalinization and brief summaries of studies, including tourism data in the area.

Bajahowodd - 3-29-2014 at 04:52 PM

Interesting study. I didn't realize that the project was going to be nearly five miles from Cabo Pulmo. I guess that a fair question would be just how far away is far away enough.

durrelllrobert - 3-29-2014 at 06:46 PM

If the Chinese actually build it that pristine beach will look just like this one in their homeland.

capt. mike - 3-31-2014 at 09:01 AM

never succeed without a jet port closer than SJDC. Phasing would be 20 years given lax demand and other competition. I would not be too concerned over it.

But...the Chicoms have dough and engineering know how.

jbcoug - 3-31-2014 at 09:08 AM

The problem with so many of these projects is that even though they never get finished, they get in long enough to muck everything up.

bajajudy - 3-31-2014 at 10:08 AM

I signed the petition to stop this project at the organic market Saturday.

Bajahowodd - 3-31-2014 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
If the Chinese actually build it that pristine beach will look just like this one in their homeland.

Do you seriously believe that? Chinese money does not mean Chinese lifestyle.

azucena - 4-4-2014 at 07:42 PM

I have heard there was a meeting in La Paz about this project and it has been approved??!! Does anyone know anything about this?
If so, it is time for voices to be heard!! From what I have read there are are 20,00 rooms in San Jose alone and this project's goal is at least this amount, despite the fact that most in San Jose are vacant during the high season.
As mentioned, these projects often proceed and then become essentially a ghost town (think Loreto) This project is a devastating example of money run amok in an area that can not even begin to sustain this kind of demand on local resources. I will rue the day when we try to explain to our grandchildren what a healthy reef was and what animals inhabited ecosystems around the world..
I guess we will dose any remaining animals with Prozac to deafen their grief, ala Marineworld

Osprey - 4-4-2014 at 07:57 PM

The Governor of Baja Sur came to La Ribera, East Cape, just west of the intended project (Cabo Dorado) yesterday to meet with an official of the Chinese development company about the project.

1. It was a very short meeting
2. We are all hoping Wildcoast and a host of other conservationist groups which were (so far) successful in killing the applications of Cabo Cortez and other previous would-be developers for this location, are on top of what's happening and are active in La Paz and Los Cabos to once again proactively bring watchdog pressure to regulators as before.

[Edited on 4-5-2014 by Osprey]

[Edited on 4-5-2014 by Osprey]

El Jefe - 4-5-2014 at 06:30 AM

Short meeting indeed. Doesn't take long to hand over a suitcase full of cash.

elgatoloco - 4-5-2014 at 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by windgrrl
Link to Hansard Urbana's Cabo Cortez Project in BCS:
http://www.nrdc.org/international/files/Baja%20Investor%20Br...

This report is an interesting read from the conservation perspective that includes arguments against development, desalinization and brief summaries of studies, including tourism data in the area.

After reading that report I have decided not to invest. :saint:

Wonder if someone can translate that into mandarin?

Have only been to Cabo Pulmo area once very briefly. Need to get back there for an extended visit.

windgrrl - 4-5-2014 at 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco

Quote:

After reading that report I have decided not to invest. :saint:

Wonder if someone can translate that into mandarin?

Have only been to Cabo Pulmo area once very briefly. Need to get back there for an extended visit.

Yeah, I'm getting worried about what the future holds. We once thought about putting we down roots, but it seems like a bit of a boomlet happening with out the mega plans again. If it wasn't so windy here we'd look for somewhere quieter.

grizzlyfsh95 - 4-7-2014 at 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
I signed the petition to stop this project at the organic market Saturday.

Sure

durrelllrobert - 4-7-2014 at 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco

Quote:

After reading that report I have decided not to invest. :saint:

Wonder if someone can translate that into mandarin?

this is translation but BN site changes it to gibberish:

西班牙开发商Hansa厄巴纳打算建立一个换上
旅游、房地产复杂要求科尔特斯角的
尖东南部的墨西哥的下加利福尼亚半岛。由于其
拟议的范围和规模%2C项目可能导致无法弥补 0340;伤害
,易受保护地区和濒危物种%2C以及
当地社区产生负面影响。环境和社会的可持续性
是必要的,不仅为保护当地生态系统
和社区%2c,但也要确保长期
成功的金融一个沿海旅游项目本身。潜在的投资者
必须充分认识到的严重关切和风险
科尔特斯角。

[Edited on 4-7-2014 by durrelllrobert]

dtbushpilot - 4-7-2014 at 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grizzlyfsh95

Quote:

Originally posted by bajajudy
I signed the petition to stop this project at the organic market Saturday.

Feathers - 4-7-2014 at 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dtbushpilot
Not likely to happen any time soon...

That's what they told Udo, too.

Osprey - 4-7-2014 at 02:08 PM

The Gov is back in town today. If I see him riding around in a gold plated Tahoe with Sansong stickers all over it, I'll alert the press.

Gaucho - 4-20-2014 at 07:32 PM

Not that it matters, but, I hear it's a joint Chinese/American project.

azucena - 4-23-2014 at 09:56 AM

That is correct. They have been given permission to drill wells for water, which makes no sense here on the East Cape, where water is a premium. Ironically, it has recently been reported some wells in Ensenada are going dry,an area that receives double or more of rainfall than the East Cape. The project is trying to tout itself as "low impact " saying they will only develop a portion of the property held, but the amount of proposed rooms and golf courses will devastate the area, not to mention the reef. it is doubtful there will be many repeat customers however, after folks endure the north wind howling for days on end in January, February, March... I wonder if the developers have spent much time here...

Cancamo - 4-26-2014 at 08:01 AM

The propaganda machine is out in force handing out "Cabo Dorado Si!" bumper stickers to local folks. Must be greasing the skids for the anticipated push-back.
Word is if the permitted wells do not provide, water will be piped in from Santiago. There is also a new airport proposed on the Santiago mesa to service this Mega-Resort.
Many local contractors and workers were left with big money owed to them by the in-limbo Cabo Riviera project in near by La Ribera, (not to mention the disgruntled lot buyers who have filed suit). In think the mindset is to go all in on this one.
I understand the need folks have to feed their growing families and the promise of jobs for those children down the road. What I don't understand is why we don't look at what has happened in the past. Use CSL as an example; where great numbers of immigrants were brought in to fill construction and service jobs, which brought many of their home grown values and problems with them. The social dynamics change forever. Then in time the folks originally living in the area cannot afford to stay, as "Exclusive Resort Living" is very exclusive. In twenty years you have a small city to service the needs with all the problems of a small city. Where went the peace? Cabo San Lucas has huge problems with crime, people don't leave to the beach anymore for Semana Santa as they are afraid their house will be broken into while they are gone. A taxi driver got his throat cut two nights ago, there are assaults daily, (read the local paper, policiana ), and murders more often than you can imagine.

Unfortunately this happens all over the world to the most pristine places, first becoming controlled by the wealthy, then quality of life diminishes for those who can't pay.

There goes the neighborhood.....So Sad......

DJL - 5-5-2014 at 02:15 PM

And here's the pushback -

http://cabopulmoinfo.wordpress.com/

Take a very close look at those water numbers

D.~

YIKES !! MUY MALO!!

captkw - 5-5-2014 at 10:10 PM

grizzlyfsh95 - 5-6-2014 at 10:21 AM

Statistics are made up from whole cloth 76.4% of the time.

DJL - 5-6-2014 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grizzlyfsh95
Statistics are made up from whole cloth 76.4% of the time.

I don't understand the meaning of that ?

At any rate .... 22,000+ rooms , and where is the water coming from ? That'll totally wipe-out the area from Punta Arena (One of my favorite spots on the Planet) down past El Rincon .

D.~

grizzlyfsh95 - 5-7-2014 at 10:52 AM

[
I don't understand the meaning of that ?

At any rate .... 22,000+ rooms , and where is the water coming from ? That'll totally wipe-out the area from Punta Arena (One of my favorite spots on the Planet) down past El Rincon .

Ask someone over 25.
Are they going to use nuclear devices to blast for water? Exactly how are"THEY" going to "wipe-out" this area? That area is "off the grid" anyway. Ohhh...you want it kept for people who want no other people there..I get it. Then sell more coffee and buy the place, and you can pitch your dwelling anywhere you want and there will be nobody else around.

DJL - 5-7-2014 at 12:09 PM

Ya got me , I should never take the bait .

D.~ :rolleyes:

[Edited on 5-7-2014 by DJL]

Cardon Man - 6-4-2014 at 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grizzlyfsh95

Are they going to use nuclear devices to blast for water? Exactly how are"THEY" going to "wipe-out" this area? That area is "off the grid" anyway. Ohhh...you want it kept for people who want no other people there..I get it. Then sell more coffee and buy the place, and you can pitch your dwelling anywhere you want and there will be nobody else around.

Are you kidding? Put a mega development there and the only people allowed there will be those that bought into it.

Of course we want such an amazing area kept pristine...and yes, with as few people around as possible. Isn't that why we all fell in love with Baja in the first place? A mega resort in one of the last undeveloped places does absolutely nothing to enhance the Baja experience the vast majority of visiting tourists are looking for.

If Mexico doesn't protect Baja's natural unspoiled places and it's sport fishery they will kill the goose that laid the golden egg. There are lots of places in the world where you can sit by a pool in a mega resort. However, Baja "in the raw" is totally unique.